About the Ridgewood, New Jersey Area 

A prosperous suburban community of about 25,000 people, Ridgewood has a pretty town center, ample parks, top-notch recreational facilities, good schools and plenty of employment. Excellent transportation links to primary centers like New York City connect locals to the world-class cultural and entertainment offerings found there, while the real sense of community found at home gives rise to a range of community events year round. 

Location
Ridgewood is a vibrant city found about 20 miles north of New York City in pretty northern Bergen County, New Jersey. Route 17 and Route 208 travel northwest to southeast to the north and south of Ridgewood, connecting it to Paramus, New York and beyond. 

Geography/Terrain
Covering about 6 square miles, Ridgewood is a small city surrounded by suburban New Jersey communities and county parks. The Hudson River is about 10 miles east. 

Distance to 3 Closest Major Cities
Paramus is about 3 miles south of Ridgewood. Newark is 18 miles southwest and downtown New York City is about 20 miles southeast. It is also close to the Newark Cultural Center and upstate New York. 

Jobs
Ridgewood is a prosperous community with a thriving local and economy, with a central Bergen County location that allows its residents to take advantage of surrounding county centers and resources.  

Thanks to its long history of transport and manufacturing, and its closeness to New York City, Northern Bergen County has been consistently prosperous since the Second World War. Technology industries now rival manufacturing for the top economic sector spot, and the education and health sectors are also large employers. Local entrepreneurs gain a great deal of support from the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation. 

Housing
With a real estate market consistently well balanced between seller and buyer, Ridgewood has long been a smart place to invest in property. Homebuyers find they have plenty of choice available to them here as Ridgewood has apartments and condominiums as well as single family houses and homes in a wide range of architectural styles.  

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Ridgewood is a green city with tree lined streets and a pretty downtown with flower baskets hanging from street lights and flower planters on the sidewalks. The city recreation department cares for the community’s many parks and recreational facilities, which include 16 tennis courts, a well equipped swimming pool, several athletic fields, ample ball parks and picnic areas, and a Community Center. The city also has a superb arts and recreation program housed at the historic “Stable” building. Classes for adults and children include Art Education, Ceramics, Chinese Brush Painting, Cooking, and Dance. Veteran’s Field in the town center has an outdoor amphitheater dedicated to Frank Kasschau, an accomplished musician and beloved local; outdoor concerts are held at the amphitheater throughout the summer months. 

The Ridgewood YMCA offers an exciting range of recreational programs for the whole family, including some excellent toddler and pre-school age classes. The New Jersey Masters Track and Field Club is another family orientated organization, coordinating a wide range of track and field events and activities for locals of all ages. The Ridgewood Run each May is a local Memorial Day tradition that attracts over 3,500 participants each year. Races include a 10K Wheelchair Run, several running races, a ‘Fun Run’ and a ‘Stroll 'n Roll Mile’ for baby joggers and strollers. 

The Hudson River is about 10 miles east of Ridgewood and is a great place to canoe, kayak or go boating; the riverbank park area is ideal for walking, jogging or picnicking. The beautiful Erskine Lake region is about 15 miles west. Nearby Bergen County Parks include Wood Dale County Park and Darlington Park. 

Special Attractions/Events
A comfortable suburban community with superb recreational facilities, good schools, and a beautiful downtown, Ridgewood is an ideal place to live and work and bring up a family. 

Seasonal and sporting events bring the community together throughout the year. In spring and summer Ridgewood has downtown arts and craft events, free open air concerts in Veteran’s Field, and the Ridgewood Run each May. Drawing more than 3,500 participants, the run consists of several races, including a wheelchair run, a family ‘Fun Run’ and a ‘Stroll 'n Roll Mile’ for joggers with strollers. Then in winter families come to see ‘Santa in the Park’ and go ice skating ‘Under the Stars’ together. 

Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Bergen County was the long time home of the indigenous Lenape Indians. Dutch were the earliest outsiders to settle here, following the new railroad north from New York City to set up farming communities along the line. By the final decade of the nineteenth century wealthy New Yorkers were coming to Ridgewood for summer recreation, and increasing numbers decided to stay over time.
 

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