Real Estate
Study Ranks Fair Lawn No. 3 in NJ for Young Families
Study looked at current school quality, housing values and long-term growth in compiling rankings.
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By Devin McGinley
According to a recent study of "family-friendliness" in the state, Fair Lawn ranks No. 3 among places for young families to settle down in New Jersey.
San Francisco-based "financial literacy" website NerdWallet looked at public school quality, cost of living and income figures in 140 municipalities around the state where populations exceed 10,000.
Ridgewood, Bergenfield and Cliffside Park rounded out the ranking samong Bergen County towns.
According to a recent study of "family-friendliness" in the state, Fair Lawn ranks No. 3 among places for young families to settle down in New Jersey.
San Francisco-based "financial literacy" website NerdWallet looked at public school quality, cost of living and income figures in 140 municipalities around the state where populations exceed 10,000.
Ridgewood, Bergenfield and Cliffside Park rounded out the ranking samong Bergen County towns.
But housing wasn’t the only statistic examined, said NerdWallet analyst Mike Anderson.
“When you’re looking to buy a home, the value of the home – the price itself – doesn’t matter a whole lot,” he said in a phone interview. “You have to look at the town holistically.”
For young families getting their feet on the ground, Anderson said, high quality schools, affordability and long-term growth combine to make the ideal place to settle down. According to NerdWallet, Fair lawn has all three.
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Their study also found that income growth surpassed most other towns in the state, rising almost 50 percent in the last decade.
“We look at income growth because it suggests that the economy is doing well and will continue to do well,” Anderson said.
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