This 2-square-mile North Jersey community checks off all the boxes of a modern Americana commuter suburb. It has two NJ Transit stations for traveling the 20 miles to New York City, its houses are growing in size and value, and it has impeccable public schools. “Everyone knows everyone,” says Mat Chapman, who moved to Glen Rock in 2015 and has 20 years of real estate experience. “Our lot sizes are smaller than in neighboring towns like Ridgewood, so you’ll see kids running between neighbors’ yards. We have more of a tight-knit community.” With a Main Street-style commercial strip next to Glen Rock’s namesake boulder and annual family-oriented fairs, this Bergen County community certainly has its charms — and is proud of them.
A large boulder nestled in a small valley gave the borough its name: Glen Rock.
For commutes to New York City, Glen Rock has NJ Transit stations on Maine line.
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Reimagining century-old colonials
On Glen Rock’s tree-lined streets, single-family homes show off a mix of modest to high-end colonial and Cape Cod features. Chimneys and brick facades from remaining prewar houses also maintain some historical roots. Across these styles, most houses are priced between $700,000 and $1 million, although newer builds and gut renovations can be priced above $2 million. “Usually the colonials get renovated, but the split-levels and ranches are the ones that builders are buying to knock down,” Chapman says. “Newer homes don’t have the charm of a 1920s colonial, but they fit in architecturally with the community.” A few smaller streets also host townhouse developments of 20 to 40 attached and semi-detached units. These wooden and vinyl-sided townhouses are priced between $600,000 and $800,000.
Mid-century Cape Cod homes are common in Glen Rock.
Glen Rock's picturesque streets adorned with lovely homes.
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Grade-A schools across the board
All of Glen Rock’s elementary, middle and high schools have A grades from Niche, and according to Chapman, they’ve been that way since his wife was a kid growing up in Glen Rock. “I think they employ great staff and community leaders to run the schools and set high standards,” he says. “They try to have kids excel beyond the New Jersey standard.” Of the four elementary options for kindergarten through fifth grade, the Clara E. Coleman School also teaches preschool. Then there are Glen Rock Middle School and Glen Rock High School. “Our high school is smaller, and it’s not regional, so it can offer a lot of programs to students,” Chapman says.
The Clara Coleman School teaches preschool through fifth grade.
From ninth through twelfth grades, students in Glen Rock can attend Glen Rock High School.
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An arboretum, swimming pool and athletic spaces
Within Glen Rock, Wilde Memorial Park provides a playground and athletic fields, including pickleball courts. Diamond Brook Park and the Glen Rock Duck Pond, which connects to the 577-acre Saddle River Park, create opportunities to connect with nature. The Thielke Arboretum is a forested wetland with trails and gardens, and nearby, the swimming pool is the summertime hot spot.
During summer, the Faber Filed Municipal Pool is one of Glen Rock’s most popular amenities.
Glen Rock residents can discover tranquility in a suburban oasis at Saddle River Park.
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Small-town shopping and dining
Most of Glen Rock’s businesses are on Rock Road. Glen Rock Inn has been a popular dinner spot since 1948, and even the Starbucks has a shingle roof to maintain the area’s village atmosphere. Kilroy’s Wonder Market is also here for groceries, and 1.5 miles north, Ridgewood has a Whole Foods.
Glen Rock’s two NJ Transit stations run on the Main and Bergen lines, which allow for transfers to Newark Airport and Penn Station. Route 208 also passes through Glen Rock to connect to the Garden State Parkway.
For commutes to New York City, Glen Rock also has NJ Transit stations on Bergen line.
The rest of New Jersey is easily accessible from Glen Rock with Route 208 nearby.
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Fairs for locals and family fun for swimmers
Since 1938, the Glen Rock Independence Day Association has hosted a parade that they call a “sane and patriotic observance of July Fourth.” The Arts Council organizes film festivals and poetry readings, and in the summer, the pool has disco, ‘80s and other themed nights.
Julie Seibold offers a wealth of knowledge when buying or selling a home. She has lived in many locations including Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, New York, and multiple cities in the tri-state area until, in 1998, she found a place she did not want to leave - Ridgewood, New Jersey. Ridgewood offered the perfect combination of neighborhood living, a walkable downtown, an outstanding school system, and ready access to New York City. Ridgewood has exceeded her expectations and her love for the area is what inspires her as a real estate agent.
Julie and her husband raised their four children in Ridgewood and have had them in the public schools for the last twenty years. Julie has worked as a teacher’s aide at Benjamin Franklin Middle School for the last five years. This longevity, combined with her experiences as both parent and educator, offers a uniquely helpful perspective of the school system to potential buyers
Julie began her career as a litigation attorney in New York City. She negotiated and settled millions of dollars worth of medical malpractice cases. These cases were overwhelmingly personal, and Julie quickly learned the invaluable lessons of attentive client care, empathy, and the importance of recognizing the individuality of each person and situation. This was the key to her success as an attorney.
Julie is a certified yoga instructor and a former triathlete. These pursuits have enabled her to hone two contradictory aspects of her personality - quiet mindfulness and competitive drive.
Julie recognizes that buying and/or selling a home is a significant and often emotional undertaking. She aims to provide tireless individualized care, complete accessibility, and candid communication. She acts as an advocate for her clients to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable transaction.
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.
