These North Jersey towns ranked as best places to live in the state. Is yours on the list?
New Jersey has a lot to offer: sweeping views of New York City; spacious farmland and green spaces; beautiful beaches; and economic and recreational activities galore.
So, it's no wonder the Garden State's highly desired real estate market was spotlighted by travel magazine Travel + Leisure, which compiled a list of the ten best places to live in New Jersey.
Out of the ten best places spotlighted, six of the are right here in North Jersey — here's a look at the places that made the cut:
No. 1: Jersey City
Jersey City ranked as the best overall place to live in New Jersey, according to the list. The second-largest city in the state, the list cited the city's abundance of bars and restaurants, as well as the highly-rated public arts programs, for its high ranking. Jersey City also offers many properties that come with good amenities, views of New York City and easy access to public transportation.
No. 2: Hoboken
Similarly to Jersey City, Hoboken offers residents a direct view of New York City across the Hudson River. But, Hoboken is significantly smaller, being nicknamed as "Mile Square City."
Known for its 1800s brownstones and classic row houses, Hoboken has become a destination for those looking for a small town feel with direct access to major city, according to Travel + Leisure. Across Hoboken you'll find sidewalk coffee shops, bars, restaurants, retail spaces, health studios and parks. You name it, Hoboken has it.
No. 4: Montclair
Montclair is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, making it the fourth best place to live in New Jersey, according to Travel + Leisure. The town offers a good blend of urban and suburban amenities, with easy access to public transportation to New York City and a plethora of parks and outdoor spaces.
The town also offers a large variety of home styles and layouts, from traditional colonial homes to Tudor and Victorian-style homes.
No. 5: Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus
Ridgewood and neighboring Ho-Ho-Kus come in together as the fifth best place to live in New Jersey. While the median value of a home in both towns is just about $1 million, the list cites their highly-acclaimed public school systems, family-friendly amenities and safety all contributing to their desirability.
No. 6: Millburn-Short Hills
When you think of Millburn-Short Hills, you probably think of the luxurious The Mall at Short Hills. While access to shopping is a positive for residents, the list names the town's top-rated public school system and extensive recreational activities as the area's biggest draw for new residents.
Additionally, the town has an abundance of outdoor spaces and has two train stations for easy access to New York City.
No. 7: Wayne
Wayne is one of the more affordable towns included in this list, with a median home value of about $637,000. The town has become a highly-sought after location for its school system and several lake communities.
Here's the full list by Travel + Leisure:
No. 1: Jersey City
No. 2: Hoboken
No. 3: Princeton
No. 4: Montclair
No. 5: Ridgewood/Ho-Ho-Kus
No. 6: Millburn-Short Hills
No. 7: Wayne
No. 8: Avalon/Stone Harbor
No. 9: Middletown
No. 10: Fair Haven
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best place to live in NJ: North Jersey towns rank as best