300 years ago, living in Closter, New Jersey (then called “Clooster” by early settlers) meant speaking Jersey Dutch and raising cattle on farmland shaded by towering Oak trees. In the 1850s, the addition of the Northern Railroad brought smoke, whistles and vacationers from New York City to the quiet borough. By the turn of the 20th, Closter had become a commuter town, and Manhattan businessmen put down roots in Foursquares and Colonial Revivals, many of which still stand today. The area is still largely inhabited by commuters, but the railroad has since been replaced by the Palisades Interstate Parkway and George Washington Bridge, which crosses the Hudson into New York. Newer homes come equipped with two and three-car garages — the days of cattle farming are long gone. In the words of Tyler Sellers, a Realtor born and raised in Bergen County, “Closter is nestled in the northeast region within the desirable Northern Valley, a great suburb of New York City. It is very residential, quiet, and suburban, so you get a very unique vibe by living here.” Family-owned Italian restaurants can be found downtown, and street lamps are decorated with wreaths during the holiday season. Recent years have seen the arrival of chains like Whole Foods and Target in Closter Plaza. It’s a community that combines elements of the past with 21st-century convenience, and 100-year-old brick storefronts contrast with freshly poured concrete.
A range of architectural styles built across the 20th century
In Closter, prices start in the $600,000s and can reach upwards of $3 million, with average values hovering around $1 million. On quiet, tree-lined streets, prospective buyers will find modest Colonial Revivals, Foursquares and quaint cottages with walk-up front porches for between approximately $650,000 and $750,000 —these properties were built between the 1920s and ‘40s, and most hover around 1,500 square feet. Mid-century ranch-styles and bi-levels with attached single-car garages can fall between $900,000 and $1 million, whereas new construction can easily surpass $2 million. These homes are often in the traditional style, and some have garage space for three cars, cobblestone driveways, and shrubbery that stand sentry beside grand entries. Lot sizes in Closter are generous, typically over a quarter of an acre, giving residents enough room to plant backyard gardens or invest in in-ground swimming pools.
American Foursquare is one of many architectural styles found throughout Closter, NJ.
Large homes on roomy lots are prevalent throughout Closter.
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Lesson in UX and UI Design at Northern Valley Regional High School
In the words of Sellers, “Schools are a major attraction for people moving here, and students go to Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, a regional high school from which many students emerge to go on to fantastic colleges.” The high school has an A-plus rating on the educational review site, Niche, and 98% of the student body has a college offer by the time of receiving their diplomas. The school is also part of the Bergen Tech Institute for Interactive Design Technology (IIDT), where high schoolers can apply to take UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) design classes. Other Closter-area public schools include Hillside Elementary and Tenakill Middle, both of which earned an A.
Northern Valley Demarest High School serves students from Closter and surrounding towns.
Tenakill Middle School provides a safe, empowering learning environment to students in Closter.
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Chain retailers in Closter Plaza
In recent years, Closter’s small downtown has seen the arrival of new shopping plazas. “There are a couple of supermarkets, including the Stop & Shop, but there’s also a new Whole Foods, a huge attraction for residents throughout the entire Northern Valley,” explains sellers. Next to the Whole Foods in Closter Plaza residents will find a Target, Lulu Lemon and restaurants like Poke Crew, which serves up colorful bowls of fresh fish with avocado, sprouts, and seeds. Other dining options include the Korean-French fusion bakery, La Tabatiere, and Red Maple Luncheonette, which has been serving classic diner fare in Closter for over three decades. Some residents will pick up their Thanksgiving turkeys from Closter Farm & Livestock Co. on Closter Dock Road, where they can also find a regular rotation of seasonal produce.
Closter Plaza is home to several retailers large and small.
Whole Foods is one of the grocery options for residents of Closter, NJ.
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Museum passes at the Closter Public Library
Admission is free at the Belskie Museum of Art & Science. Here, admire the works of Abram Belskie, a sculptor who called Closter home from 1931 until his death in the ‘80s. Northern Valley Regional High School seniors also have the opportunity to display their work in the not-for-profit museum each spring, and at the Closter Public Library — housed in the same High Street building — residents can borrow passes to visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim and the Intrepid in New York City. The town also hosts an annual Easter Egg hunt in Memorial Park, and Labor Day weekend in Closter means town-wide celebrations complete with live bands, pony rides and firework shows. Or attend wine tastings or five-course farm-to-table dinners at Closter Farm.
The Closter public library has books for all ages in Closter, NJ.
The Belskie Museum in Closter, NJ showcases new, local art.
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After-school and summer programs at Closter Nature Center
Closter Nature Center, which spans over 130 acres, hosts after-school nature programs and summer break camps. Residents can also explore the extensive trail maps — lacing up old shoes is encouraged, as the pathways can get muddy. Nearby, the Closter Golf Center has a driving range and an 18-hole mini golf course. Little League teams practice in Memorial Park, where they’ll also find a playground and basketball courts. Ruckman Park is known for its outdoor roller rink, and Schauble is surrounded by a walking and running track.
Closter Nature Center in Closter is a wonderful spot for nature enthusiasts.
Veteran's Memorial Field is home to Little League and softball practices in Closter.
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Travel to NYC along the Palisades Parkway
Closter is about 20 miles away from Midtown Manhattan. “There are no highways that run directly through Closter, but you have easy access via Closter Dock Road and the Palisades Parkway, from which you can transfer into Manhattan or Upstate New York,” says Sellers, adding, “From the Garden State Parkway, you can get into the big shopping complex at Paramus or the stadium in Rutherford where the Jets and Giants play.” Although most residents rely on their own cars to commute into the city, there are public bus options. Bus 177, part of the New Jersey Transit system, travels from Harrington Park to Manhattan, stopping at the corner of Schraalenburgh Road and High Street. Nearby airports include Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia, which are both about 40 or 45 minutes away from the borough, depending on traffic. Closter residents can seek medical care at hospitals like Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center or Englewood Health.
Colin has maintained a reputation in the industry as a leader in home marketing & purchasing. Sales license in 1982 with Brokers License in 1986, managed successful offices for Murphy Realty Better Homes & Gardens before returning the sales & marketing arena. One of his clients Dave Rossi says it best " there is not a single realtor better than Colin. The man is tireless & passionate about the industry-simply the best realtor in Bergen County". In 2007, Leta DeMatteo joined Colin combining their expertise as a team.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
