Saddle River Living: No paparazzi and no pretense…
The bucolic borough of Saddle River, New Jersey is home to actors, athletes, entertainment moguls, internationally recognized CEOs, musicians, Entrepreneurs, a past US president, and all who appreciate the privacy and beauty of small-town living. Saddle River residents prioritize privacy and beauty, and that hasn’t changed since my family fell in love with its charm and moved here four decades ago.
A little something about the area…
Let’s talk about proximity to Manhattan! We are between 15 and 18 miles to the George Washington Bridge. Without traffic, I have been in my theater seat within 30 minutes. To live this lifestyle and have New York City a stone’s throw away is the cherry on top of a fabulous sundae at Serendipity 3.
The schools are excellent…
The Wandell Elementary School is located near the center of town and is equivalent to attending a private school. State-of-the-art computer labs and a wonderful teaching staff make this level of education sought after by so many. Eric S. Smith Middle School is located a short bus ride away in Ramsey and is considered one of the best middle schools in our area. There are two high schools, both with transportation available, one in Ramsey (Ramsey High School) and the other in Allendale (Northern Highlands) which is regionalized with four towns. The Saddle River Day School, located in Saddle River is an excellent private school.
Our restaurants…
I am a big fan of the renowned, Michelin Starred Saddle River Inn, located near the center of town. It is rustic, charming, and just plain yummy. We also are home to its more casual sister restaurant, The Saddle River Cafe. Within a 20-minute radius to the center of town, options range from the refined and elegant Esty Street, Varka, and the landmark Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, to several wonderful casual dining options.
During the past two years of the pandemic, local restaurants have been offering delivery, curbside pickup, and very creative (and warm!) outdoor spaces. So many of us have established long-term relationships with the owners and their families as we support each other through this time. That is one of the perks of living in a small-town environment. We are all in this together!
Horses, Hiking, Skiing, and More!
For those buyers with an equestrian interest, Saddle River offers wonderful estates which can accommodate stable areas, turnouts, and riding areas. There are also farms that offer boarding and riding lessons.
For the active outdoors person, Saddle River is 15 minutes from fantastic recreational areas. The Ramapo Mountain State Forest is a 4,200 acres state forest in Bergen and Passaic Counties. That should keep you busy hiking, hunting, canoeing, fishing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Perfect your skiing and snowboarding skills at Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah, just a short ride away! How amazing is that?
Saddle River Stats…
We are about one mile wide and three miles long. The picturesque Saddle River runs North to South through town. There are several mountain ridges and streams, brooks, ponds, and rolling lawns.
The zoning is a minimum of two acres. There are also smaller lots that were sub-divided prior to the
two-acre zoning law.
The beauty of Saddle River is in the diversity of the architecture. From a small cottage (between $1,000,000 - $2,000,000) to a major gated estate (between $5,000,000- $20,000,000) and every price range in between, there is any style one could want – Hampton’s style, brick manors, stone chateaus, contemporary farmhouses, and traditional ranches and colonials.
Since the pandemic began...
We have experienced an uptake in buyers wanting more acreage and larger homes due to extended families returning to the suburbs. Some of our most common requests are more space to work from home, pools (indoor or outdoor), space for a home gym, theater area, and wine cellars/tasting areas for enjoying a little more wining and dining at home.
One of Saddle River’s biggest assets is that the town is very well run and our taxes are among the lowest in Bergen County. So, we have a combination of larger acreage, low taxes, great schools, and beautiful real estate offering the best value in the tri-state with close proximity to New York City. The Best of All Worlds!
Our current inventory of available properties offers prices varying between $1,300,000 - $18,000,000. There is truly something for everyone. This wonderful town just may hold the key to your dream home!
