2023 Best Places to Live in Passaic County

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: I love Wayne! The weather is great all year around. We get all 4 seasons and are located nearby to some of the best beaches. The taxes may be higher than some but the people here are so inclusive and there are many ways to get included in the community. The education and school systems are also very good, there are many religious private schools as well, if that's what you are looking for.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 54,880

• Suburb in New Jersey

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 4,145

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful rural-esque borough full of mountains, state parks, hikes, lakes, old country manors - an outdoor paradise. Unfortunately, if you are apolitical, that paradise is littered with TRUMP2020 flags throughout the borough in 2021 (the election is over, folks), so raising a child in this cultish environment is one factor to consider - unless this is your cult, you'll feel right at home! Likewise, there is a shortage of diversity and apparent conservative culture - such as banning cannabis businesses. What kind of Chamber of Commerce denies ANY tax revenue or new business in this highly taxed borough (the commercial ratables are near nil, so the homeowners pay majority of taxes) which sports two antiquated, half-empty shopping centers that are near the end of their lifespans - in a borough with a non-existent 'town center' - with NO apartment housing, nor senior living. If you live here, you will normally drive to the surrounding towns to do your shopping, dining, and other business... Read 36 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 11,778

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: Great town too live in! Centrally located I feel. It looks like a safe place to raise a family as well.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 11,113

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  35 reviews

Current Resident: Woodland Park is a small town within Passaic County of New Jersey. However, it is a great and safe location to raise your family. They have great summer programs for kids, and the library and town hall are very active with the town folks. Diversity within Woodland is great, there is a greater white population, however, there is a good amount of diversity within the town. The public schooling they provide is great, from free pre-k to middle school. The only issue would be that you would have to share a high school between three town, Little Falls, Woodland park, and Totowa. But, overall it's a cute small town prefect for starting a family.... Read 35 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 13,265

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Hawthorne for over 20 years. I grew up nearby in Glen Rock and though GR is ranked highly, I feel that my children will not suffer educationally or socially by living here. There are far fewer McMansions and finance professionals; just real people working real jobs trying to live comfortably and provide for their families. Houses are a bit closer together than towns in Bergen county, but that means less lawn to cut! Taxes are still reasonable (for NJ), and I don't feel like I am being punished for choosing to remain in the state. A few things I would change are: restrict overnight parking on roads, mandatory odd/even on road parking (to alleviate road cleaning during winter), add speed bumps to roads to discourage the speeders flying down the road, and find ways for older home owners to receive assistance in upkeep (some people cannot maintain their property due to illness, etc. and should not be punished, but assisted - this helps them and the town.)... Read 48 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 19,507

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  217 reviews

Current Resident: I love Clifton. It is a large suburban city with a lot of diversity. I live towards the Montclair heights area and the homes here are beautiful, neighbors are very friendly and we have our choice of shops, restaurants, cafes and groceries. You can’t beat the commute in to NYC. My only issue is the school rating. Many teachers have told me it has a lot to do with the standardized testing and how it is not geared towards a diverse population. I understand this since I eventually became a Doctor but struggled with those kinds of tests. Overall, I really enjoy living here!... Read 217 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 89,460

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: overall I love it here! I live near a pond where there is a basketball court and people are allowed to fish The river of beer is my favorite spot to hang out at, the walgreens is in a convenient location, walmart is close by, and there are many other good restaurants and pizzerias. Dannys pizza has some of the best pizza I have ever had. Bloomingdale is a also a very culturally diverse town. My only complain is that their are too many police patrolling main street giving out tickets for people who are going a few miles over the speed limit. If the power goes out it takes a considerable amount of time to get it back on.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 7,759

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about Wanaque is how peaceful it usually is. Because it is a suburb, it is easy to know where places, such as small and fast food restaurants, are. I do not know a lot of people in the town, but there are friendly people there. I was grateful to have some amazing teachers in late elementary school and middle school (at the elementary school in Haskell), as well as in high school, who care about you, your performance in their classes and your future, specifically your plans after high school.... Read 28 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 11,285

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  24 reviews

Current Resident: I love how small North Haledon is. It is a very safe and friendly town. I also like how close it is to New York City, the Jersey Shore, and all the shopping malls in North Jersey. It's a great place to live!... Read 24 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• Population 8,893

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.41 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Our daughter enjoys Washington Park School very much. The teachers are involved and helpful. My daughter feels encouraged and looks forward to going to school. The environment is safe. It is diverse, which is very important to us. They have up-to-date technology and I feel that for this reason my daughter is advanced with her computer skills. Teachers challenge her without her feeling lost or pressured, she feels supported. I like that the kids are learning Italian.... Read 22 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 11,013

Current Resident: I moved to West Milford 2 years ago. I love everything about living here except for the taxes! I am from Bergen County and owned a single family home there for 25 years (talk about taxes!); however, I own a townhome here and pay close to the same amount of taxes. It was my choice to move here, knowing the taxes are high, so I shouldn't complain... but complain I will! Otherwise, people are friendly, plenty of restaurants etc., nature is gorgeous...if you don't like beautiful natural surroundings this isn't the place for you! If you get "bored" as some reviewers have stated then you're not walking out your front door!... Read 102 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 25,014

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.1 out of 5  42 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone is friendly, there's no litter nor trash everywhere, and we're a dog community. Haledon doesn't have a park, but there's grocery stores like ShopRite and Walgreen's nearby. There's a hardware store, car wash, yogurt shop, Wendy's, etc. North Haledon is too fancy and Paterson is okay, but Haledon is where the hills are! No crime happening here, just in New York or outside Passaic County.... Read 42 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 8,936

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.33 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: Moved here a year ago as an owner and it is so welcoming, so quiet and everyone is so friendly and well behaved, no loud noises, no issues. There is a deli or 2 on the hill I believe but at the very bottom is dunkin donuts, a very cute diner, chase bank on the strip as well as Rite aid and everything you need & we have a park just a minute away! Relaxing on the hill! I love it... Read 18 reviews

• grade C

• grade C

• Population 6,301

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 2.93 out of 5  335 reviews

Current Resident: A hometown native, Paterson is a fast- paced and busy city that always has events and activities for the children; from back to school events to fairs to movie nights in the park. I personally do not have any children, but I believe it is awesome that the community engages its youth in productivity and fun instead of the youth engaging into activities that can potentially get them in trouble. It takes a village to raise a child and Paterson definitely knows how to raise them!... Read 335 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade C minus

• Population 157,927

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.11 out of 5  106 reviews

Current Resident: I had lived here for a while and it is very nice. There are many corner stores and most of the people in the stores are very friendly. There are also many shops that sell many items from electronics, jewelry, clothes, and shoes. Though the things that I notice that are bad are that at night some of the street lights won't turn on so some places remain unlit at night and there are teenagers that smoke after school in Christopher Columbus Park.... Read 106 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade D+

• Population 70,308

• Suburb in New Jersey

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  Rating 4.49 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Little Falls Township is assuredly one of the best towns in northern New Jersey. Although very small in comparison to neighboring towns, Little Falls has provided me with a tremendous childhood. Because of its extremely low crime rate, Little Falls is extremely safe for kids to play in the streets, go out late, and so much more. Additionally, its public school system is very effective which easily helped pave the way for highschool. Not only does this town have a great school system, but the residents are always smiling and have a positive attitude. I have made some of my greatest friends here whom I have a bond with that is unbreakable. Without a doubt, living in the great town of Little Falls has largely contributed to who I am today!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 13,628