2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in New Jersey

Current Resident: Moved here from Manhattan and been living here for 21 years, and love it. Great for raising a family, social and cultural diversity, convenience, safe, great schools, lots of outdoor spaces in and around town. Great sense of community, pride and ownership in town. Eclectic food scene. Access to Princeton University, NYC and Philadelphia.... Read 21 reviews

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• Population 2,208

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.47 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: You’ll wish you grew up here! Luckily, I did, and moved back to raise our children. So many Lakers who grew up here have moved back here the past few years because they appreciate the wonderful community, top schools, great recreation with many lakes and hiking! It’s a real testament to our town. So easy to make friends here. I love the history of the town too. The town celebrates the history and is protective of the charm and natural setting.... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 4,464

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  35 reviews

Current Resident: Short Hills was a great place to go to school and to grow up in. The downtown area in Millburn was safe to roam around and hang out in with friends... Read 35 reviews

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• Population 14,500

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.55 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: Lived a year so far and love this town. Residents joke that it’s Pleasantville or Mayberry North. Tons of young families. Very good for the 30s/40s with young kids. Very friendly neighbors. You feel like you can leave your doors unlocked. West of 17 is all walkable with sidewalks - convenient to a small but nice downtown with several good restaurants (best sushi in the area). Convenient to Ridgewood, wyckoff, allendale, WCL shopping, Wegman’s etc. And as safe a town as you can get.... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 4,248

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.44 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: Haworth is an absolutely gorgeous and underrated community. The Haworth Public School is excellent with small class sizes and committed teachers, administrators and parents. The town has a lot of character with a quaint downtown, beautiful and unique homes, duck pond, walking trail by the reservoir and two country clubs. Every street is tree-lined. The library is amazing with a separate wing for kids and dynamic programming. There’s a 5K race, Spring Garage Sale, streets are closed for Halloween (it’s quite a celebration), and many events and things to do throughout the year. It’s a five-minute or less drive to Closter Plaza where you can shop, grab a bite, work out, go to the movies, etc. A++!... Read 9 reviews

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• Population 3,341

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: HP is a quiet area suitable for families with kids that are willing to shell extra in terms of taxes in exchange for safety. It's near a high school (which is a couple towns over) and has an elementary school that is within a 5 minute drive or walking distance, depending on where you're living (in town or couple towns over). Nightlife is basically nonexistent except for eating out at a couple local restaurants. It's very small, so everybody basically knows everyone. The diversity could be better. I haven't heard of many jobs available, so you may have to look to other towns for employment.... Read 33 reviews

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• Population 4,801

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  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Top NJ town with high property values with relatively low RE Taxes. Top awarded Blue ribbon public elementary school. Regional middle & high schools are also very good!... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 2,270

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: Closter's education and community is very commendable. Their education prepares students for the pressures of middle school then high school, but they also make sure that students feel like they are a part of the community, which is why the schools host many events throughout the year for families to attend. Closter Plaza is the shopping mall of the town, with a variety of restaurants, stores, tutoring centers, boutiques, and gyms. The Plaza has something for everyone, and it's a casual place for friends to hang out on a weekend. Closter additionally has a very kind community, and everyone is really friendly. It is the perfect place for a family to reside in as the parents will be able to interact with those around them and find whatever they need, and children will be able to enjoy their childhood experience.... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 8,573

Current Resident: I live in senior housing in Princeton, which is affordable and extremely well-run. There is a free municipal bus that is available six days a week which takes me to any of the places I need to go here in Princeton. Crosstown Taxi is also available at an extremely low cost. I have greatly enjoyed the large library, the Princeton Art Museum, and the Princeton Arts Council where I have attended classes. My medical and eye doctors and Princeton Shopping Center are all located on the municipal bus route. All of my needs and most of my wants are available without leaving the town. It's been my experience to find anyone employed by the town to be courteous, kind, and respectful. The atmosphere in Princeton causes me to feel safe, secure and cared for. A most remarkable community!... Read 87 reviews

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• Population 30,717

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: I relocated from the west coast with my family 2 years ago. Ridgewood was recommended by the relocation agency we used. We only planned to rent in the town until we figured out where we wanted to end up. It wasn't before long when we fell in love with the village. Couldn't imagine a better place to raise a family. Coming from out of state, we never felt like out siders. Everyone was very welcoming. Our street feels like a family! We're also very pleased with how serious everyone takes education here (took a little getting used to). Only critical feedback would be the Taxes. Can't imagine we'll stay after the kids graduate.... Read 64 reviews

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• Population 25,991

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: I have been living in Upper Montclair for over 15 years. There is basically nothing negative to say about this place. Neighbors have become dear friends, everyone is friendly and it is very safe. Super family-friendly with a diverse range of restaurants and shops. Lots of parks and open space. It's a wonderful community with smart and compassionate people. I love it here!... Read 49 reviews

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• Population 12,033

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Family friendly, great sense of community. Big volunteer network. Great schools, great town leaders. AB&G. Need I say more... Read 28 reviews

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• Population 6,820

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  Rating 3.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: Gorgeous area, there are not too many things to do in the Township but you are very close to all thats happening. Excellent schools and very friendly folks. Everyone cares a lot about their homes and community. We have felt very welcomed here!... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 10,913

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: Great family diversity. Many outdoor option. Friendly and professional business interactions. Very accessible to various roadways; 78, 287, 22, 206 to name a few. Access business within 10 mike radius include Bridgewater commons, 2 Home Depot’s, several TJXX stores, Best Buy’s, Marriott, Lifetime Fitness.... Read 33 reviews

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• Population 11,980

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  32 reviews

Current Resident: Really nice and friendly people as well as nice parks, library, and school district! The people that are a part of the town's government are always trying their best and trying to help. I even reached out to the beautification commitee so I could complete my Girl Scouts Silver Award, and they were so helpful and dedicated a lot of time so that I could accomplish my mission. The elementary school especially has the best administrators and teachers, some of my favorite memories to this day were made in the classroom.... Read 32 reviews

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• Population 12,024

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Works Here: I grew up in--and attended public schools in--South Brunswick; and for the past 26 years I have also worked there. I have nothing but good things to say about the township, in general, and Monmouth Junction, in particular. The school system is nationally renowned, and the extra-curricular activities associated with it, stellar. It's increasingly expensive to live there; however, there are few better places to live in New Jersey--or anywhere else. I heartily recommend Monmouth Junction to anyone who can afford to live there.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 9,728

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  45 reviews

Current Resident: Bernards Township is a comfortable suburban town located in central New Jersey with a great education system and quiet lifestyle. While everything necessary is located within reasonable distance, it tends to get boring living in this town due to a lack of diverse quality food choices, as well as limited recreational facilities. Definitely a very safe town to live in, with a lot of very friendly people, good for kids and family, with access to transportation to NYC, but otherwise recreationally, there is no entertainment access.... Read 45 reviews

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• Population 27,836

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  21 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in OT for 13 years. It's a very safe community. I've observed police officers stopping kids for cycling without a helmet! It is the type of town where you will know who your neighbors are but may not know their names. When you're recognized, there's always a wave as you pass by. The small elementary & middle schools are quite nice & teachers/staff are dedicated, yet they are lacking in some arts programs. The regional high school is excellent & provides a quality education. All of my kids attended OT schools. Their close friendships developed in HS with kids from neighboring towns. It's a Republican leaning town. I'm not Republican but I don't mind it. There is some diversity and a growing Asian population. The supermarkets are in neighboring towns. Taxes are low for NJ. Difficult to find a reasonably priced home unless it's a generational transfer or a small house to be torn down/renovated. Even then, you'll spend nearly $500K for the lot. Builders are all over the place!... Read 21 reviews

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• Population 5,870

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  40 reviews

Current Resident: Glen Rock is an Amazing and safe town for families to raise children. Glen Rock has amazing schools for kids to learn, grow up, and be successful in the future. There are tons of small businesses run by many kind people who will make you feel right at home!... Read 40 reviews

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• Population 12,098

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  Rating 3.31 out of 5  35 reviews

Current Resident: It a great small town with great diversity, opportunities, and food. Everyone is connected together, willing to help anyone and everyone. Its location is great: it is located in between major cities like New York and Philadelphia.... Read 35 reviews

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• Population 8,185

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  Rating 4 out of 5  34 reviews

Current Resident: Fantastic community for schools, senior valentines events, sports , outdoor space, restaurants. There is something for everyone!... Read 34 reviews

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• Population 13,147

Current Resident: Excellent place to live in central jersey with beautiful homes, Posh, Spacious landscape, best schools, Corporate offices, Shopping centers, medical centers, sports facilities Including baseball, golf, cricket, soccer, fitness centers, farms, parks, lakes.... Read 31 reviews

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• Population 15,491

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Northvale when my daughter was 2 specifically for the excellent schools, safe and vibrant community and location with easy commuting access to New York City. Northvale has everything you need within its borders from multiple supermarkets, drug stores, shops of all types, restaurants, deli's, nail salons, banks, shoemaker, hair salons, Doctors, Dentists and EVERYTHING else you may need. It is the most convenient place I have ever lived. The residents culture is one of helpfulness and "It takes a Village to raise children" mentality. Meaning you will have many looking out for each others kids and each other. During Hurricane Sandy there were extension cords from house to house over lawns with people helping each other. If a personal tragedy or serious illness strikes, food chains are set up. Great Senior Center, Library, Police, Fire, DPW and all in between. Only 10 minutes to the gorgeous Hudson River/Piermont, NY.... Read 18 reviews

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• Population 4,762

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Demarest is a really quiet place with very friendly neighbors and community members. Though it is an extremely small town, it has a gazebo downtown where many concerts and events are hosted free for the public over the summer. The downtown area is small like the town with few stores, but it is never an issue as a few minute drive to the neighboring towns will get you all the stores you need. The schools are also above in education and have many achievements through the years.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 4,977

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  Rating 4.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Our family recently moved to the area from another well known suburb of NJ and are so happy with our decision! Fanwood has a small town feel with good neighbors, updated parks, fun activities for families and is in the middle of many redevelopment projects that will only continue add to the charm of this area. Transportation to NYC is via the train is easy and convenient. My kids are thriving at the schools and are much happier here. Best move ever!... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 7,727