New Jersey’s 10 Best Places To Live In 2020, Ranked

NEW JERSEY - According to Coldwell Banker, if you want to live among the best places in New Jersey, then you should consider moving to Bergen County. Two of the top five spots in their annual Best Places To Live In New Jersey list are held by Bergen communities Wyckoff and Closter.

In 2020, amid migration en masse to the suburbs due to the coronavirus pandemic, analysts at Coldwell Banker say they have determined Union County's Westfield is the No. 1 place to live in the Garden State.

“The challenges of 2020 certainly changed the mindset of city dwellers who might have been content to remain there but are now seeing the benefits of more space, a yard, a swimming pool, a home office, and more home and property for their dollar. For some buyers, recent events just pushed ahead their existing plans,” says Rob Norman, president of Coldwell Banker Realty in New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. “With distance no longer being an issue for many workers who are telecommuting, they have been able to expand their home search further afield.”

The real estate company says the data is based on the influx of new New York City buyers.

Here are the top 10 best places to live in New Jersey, as determined by Coldwell Banker:

10. Princeton (Mercer County)

Princeton’s current influx of buyers are generally from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Jersey City seeking updated or new homes, according to agent Heidi A. Hartmann.
Pending sales in July and August were more than 30 percent over the previous year.

“Princeton is a diverse community largely influenced by education and culture. It is a go-to destination for people that want to replicate city life in a suburban setting,” said Hartmann.

9. Bridgewater (Somerset County)

The suburban spot in Somerset County is seeing many homes enter the market and sell immediately, according to Coldwell Banker. In August, there was a 40 percent increase in under-contract homes compared to the previous year.

Bridgewater agent Kevin Yento reports that many buyers are moving from New York City as well as northern New Jersey counties such as Bergen and Union. “People want to be away from New York, yet still be close to New York in the future,” said Yento.

8. Sparta (Sussex County)

Real estate agent Denny Kevil has reported an increase in New York City buyers hoping to relocate to the rural Sussex County municipality. Touting 11 private lake communities and the historic Lake Mohawk boardwalk and plaza, Sparta provides resort-like charm just 45 miles from Manhattan, according to the agent.

“What we’re selling here in Sparta and Lake Mohawk is a lifestyle,” said Kevil. “It’s like Brigadoon.”

The average list price for a home in Sparta jumped from $464,809 to $529,695 between August 2019 and August 2020.

7. Madison (Morris County)

West of Manhattan lies suburban Morris County, where local real estate agents are reporting a surge of buyers from New York City. They report that multiple offers are becoming common, as well as cash deals.

“We’re seeing this robust activity at all different price points, from inexpensive condos up to multi-million-dollar homes,” said Madison agent Scott Spelker, who also serves as the borough’s historian.

New listings in Madison increased by 53.8 percent in August year-over-year.

6. Clinton (Hunterdon County)

Hunterdon County, located more than 50 miles west of New York City, has quickly become a popular destination for home buyers. Clinton, home to the iconic Red Mill, is located just off three major highways with outdoor recreation and a quaint downtown. Homes in the Clintons spent an average 54 days on the market in August compared to 76 a year prior.

“Once lockdown restrictions lifted a bit, buyers started coming out in droves to view homes for sale, all while everyone used proper safety measures,” said agent Craig Ort. “[Now], homes are selling faster than they can come on the market with, in many instances, multiple offers and for over asking price.”

5. Closter (Bergen County)

According to New Jersey Realtors, housing inventory was down nearly 40 percent in Bergen County in August compared to the previous year. Closter itself experienced a 185.7 percent increase in closed sales.

“I am witnessing both increased sales prices and volume month-over-month,” said agent Josh Baris. “Towns like Closter have proven to be desirable due to their location and easy commute to Manhattan. Closter recently expanded its downtown area and shopping district, and has everything a New Yorker desires.”

4. Manalapan (Monmouth County)

As commuting to New York City becomes less of a concern, the Jersey shore area has seen an influx of New York City buyers. Between August 2019 and August 2020, the average sales price jumped from $425,000 to $525,000 in Manalapan, located 15 miles from New Jersey beaches and 45 miles from New York City.

“I believe there are multiple factors that created the perfect storm for the real estate market in Manalapan to explode,” said agent Alan Kurlander. “People are leaving New York City, Staten Island and Brooklyn. Workplaces in Manhattan are now allowing employees to work from home three to four days a week. Buyers are wanting to be in less crowded areas. There are low interest rates on home mortgages, and taxes here remain significantly lower than in north Jersey.”

3. Wyckoff (Bergen County)

In August 2020, pending deals in Wyckoff were up an astounding 222 percent over the previous year, according to the company’s analysis. There was a 100 percent increase in closed sales over the previous year in September, with under contract properties pushing that momentum into the fall.

“Wyckoff is a peaceful suburb with a top-notch school district and a vivacious community,” said agent Will Alfaro. “With mortgage rates at historic lows, young families have been pouring into the town, enthralled by its charming downtown areas, convenient transit to New York, abundant recreational activities, and harmonious atmosphere.”

2. Montclair (Essex County)

New listings on the market have increased 280 percent in August over the previous year, while homes sold 44.4 percent faster at 20 days and achieved a median sale price of $975,000, a 29.5 percent increase over 2019, according to the real estate company. “I’ve never seen it like this before, ever. They’re coming in droves. There are lines at open houses and almost every car on the street has a New York license plate,” said Montclair agent Jocelyn Russo.

1. Westfield (Union County)

“It’s no surprise we are having an influx of buyers coming from urban areas,” said Westfield agent Jean Marie Morgan. “I moved to Westfield from Brooklyn 25 years ago because Westfield was the perfect combination of urban living with a small-town vibe. We have an amazing downtown, gorgeous homes on tree-lined streets, great schools and a strong sense of community where neighbors know your name.”

Union County experienced a large migration from New York City beginning in Spring 2020. Westfield saw a 97.1 percent increase in new listings in August 2020 over 2019, and a 58.3 percent increase in closed sales. The inventory of available homes was down 48.9 percent.

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