Riverside suburban city with a Main Street legacy, looking to bounce back
Hackensack, loosely translated from a Native American phrase meaning “mouth of a river,” isn’t lacking when it comes to unique features. The city’s population of 46,000 is a mere 15 miles north of Hoboken, which contains 57,000 people. While densely packed Hoboken is known for million-dollar condos, Hackensack is more of a sprawling riverside city. It features everything from Revolutionary War history to modernist architecture like the towering Art Deco-style Sears building. Words like cozy and charming tend to be used by locals, and some even call it an ideal place for first-time homebuyers. “Housing varies quite a bit in Hackensack,” says Jennifer Romero, broker/owner with RE/MAX Lifestyles and longtime resident of the area. “On one end of town, you may find a lot of cute single-family homes, while areas like Summit Avenue feature much larger houses.”
Many other Realtors describe it as a place trying to bounce back – and doing a good job at it. After all, the Main Street model was challenged by New Jersey’s penchant for shopping malls and then by mass adoption of online shopping. But localism is sweeping back as a trend, prompting new housing and development efforts that could bring more than 6,000 people back downtown. The monumental Bergen County Court House and Hackensack University Medical Center are major employers. Fairleigh Dickinson University participates in many downtown events. “It’s clearly gentrifying,” says Gena Miller, a Realtor with Weichert Realtors and longtime resident. “But it still has that really warm, welcoming atmosphere and so any small business can find a way to be successful here.”
City officials are making efforts to build on Hackensack’s legacy. “Among many other projects, we’re aiming to adaptively reuse the Sears building,” says Albert Dib, director of redevelopment for the city. “These projects are hard but they’re worth it. We’ve applied for a $500,000 grant to do artistic programming that would be very impactful, like light projections onto the county courthouse. Young people want experiences, and we’re competing with places like Teaneck and Hoboken. I think we’ve really turned a corner, with a lot of the initiatives hopefully coming to fruition soon.”
The vibrant Main Street in Hackensack, NJ.
Bergen County courts are located in Downtown Hackensack, NJ.
Hackensack University Medical Center, a 950-bed facility, excels in research and healthcare.
The Shops at Riverside offers everything from food to Bloomingdales in Hackensack, NJ.
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Midrise condos and colonial-inspired homes throughout Hackensack
Homebuyers can start their hunt by exploring the co-ops and condos that Hackensack has to offer. These midrise buildings price units between $200,000 and $465,000. “You have a doorman at some of these buildings, a pool, various amenities,” says Jason Pierce, Realtor with Prominent Properties. But there’s a strong suburban element to Hackensack’s residential scene, too. Yards are common here, and while not every property has a driveway and garage, that doesn’t seem to be an issue for homebuyers coming in from dense urban areas like New York City. “I recently sold to a New Yorker who was happy with street parking, which is much less of a headache to find than in Manhattan, plus she can walk to a bus stop,” says Miller.
Updated colonial-inspired homes are popular in the $500,000 to $725,000 range. “Hackensack is a town with older historic homes that have been renovated,” says Pierce. “You’ll see some of them having high ceilings on the first floor. You also get more bang for your buck with these types of properties, compared to nearby places.”
Closer to $800,000, buyers can find larger six-bedroom Victorians and multi-family homes.
A sturdy, old craftman style home in Hackensack, NJ.
Along with houses, older condos are an affordable way to live in Hackensack, NJ.
A Spanish mission style house is among the diverse styles found in Hackensack, NJ.
The are plenty of older colonials to choose from in Hackensack, NJ.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University is a supportive presence in the community
Students can start at Nellie Parker School, which earns a B-minus from Niche. The school covers pre-kindergarten to fourth grade and has a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Hackensack Middle receives a C and Hackensack High earns a B. Miller attended both and says the ESL program at the high school is well regarded. Paramus Catholic High is a popular private school option in the area. The private Fairleigh Dickinson University has a strong presence in the community. There are undergraduate and graduate programs, with business being a particular specialty of the school.
Hackensack’s Fairleigh Dickinson University offers over 100 impressive degree programs.
Paramus Catholic High School provides students with faith based college-prep education.
Hackensack High School in Hackensack, NJ.
Hackensack Middle School
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Johnson Park and Foschini Park are top destinations
“We have a lot of open space in Hackensack, and we’re really big on supporting recreational sports programs. We just finished the M&M Rec Center,” says Dib, referring to a facility that has a 400-seat basketball arena. “We’re about to build an indoor sports complex at Johnson Park.” Famous among bikers and joggers for its Hackensack River pathway but also appealing to children with its playground, Johnson Park is one of the city’s top-listed green spaces. Foschini Park is another popular riverside destination, especially during the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration. “Johnson Park hosts a thriving soccer program. For baseball, it’s Foschini Park with 10 fields. Substantial upgrades are on the horizon,” says Dib.
The courthouse green is also open to the public. “That’s where we have summer concerts on Tuesday nights, from June to August,” says Dib. Other places for activity include the Ice House, an indoor skating rink where Olympians are known to train. Bowler City can host large groups, thanks to 50 bowling lanes. Dib mentions that indoor tennis courts are coming to the city soon on River Street.
Spend a few hours to explore the riverside Foschini Park, located in Downtown Hackensack.
Hackensack residents love the diverse outdoor spaces offered at Johnson Park.
Take a slower paced activity at Bowler City in Hackensack, NJ.
The Green, in Hackensack, NJ, home of Summer Concerts and other activities
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Enduring restaurants on Main Street
Dib describes postcards from the time when Hackensack was a bustling city of just 30,000 people. “It was department store mecca,” he says. But even though Sears and Woolworth’s have moved on, some standbys from the glory days remain to inspire newcomers. White Manna is a tiny burger joint serving sliders on potato rolls, open since 1946. Then it’s all about crumb cakes and a cash-only policy at B&W Bakery, open since 1948. But it’s not just takeout or comfort food, according to local Realtors. “Hackensack has a lot of really good cafes. You can go and sit there for an entire day,” says Miller. “Main Street has diverse restaurants. Noches de Colombian is a great South American restaurant, there’s Dominican, Jamaican, Caribbean food.” It’s often noted as well that Hackensack is close to desirable county amenities. “You’re 2 miles from the Whole Foods, Target and Shop Rite at Bergen Town Center,” says Miller.
At close to discount prices, B&W Bakery is a well loved bakery in Hackensack, NJ.
Ramen Azuma is a high-end ramen noodle restaurant that has drawn customers from all over NJ.
On a breezy winter day, it's the perfect excuse to spend the workday at a local cafe.
Inside the ever popular White Manna burger restaurant in Hackensack, NJ.
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The Hackensack Performing Arts Center occupies a former church
Arts and culture are making a big comeback with the Hackensack Performing Arts Center. The 1840s redbrick building is clearly a former church with tapered Gothic windows. “The city saw an opportunity to bring people in. It has three spaces: an auditorium, an art gallery and a parking lot turned into an open-air venue for concerts, movies and Hackensacktoberfest, which brought out 4,000 people in six hours,” says Dib. The city’s downtown is a Special Improvement District which plans a calendar of events including games, busking, food trucks and the popular annual tree lighting ceremony. Other arts projects completed by the city include murals, painted utility boxes and the display of bronze sculptures on loan from the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton.
Take in a show a Hackensack Performing Arts Center.
Experience the excitement and joy that the HACKENSACKtoberfest offers to the town residents.
Art on Union Street Park in Hackensack, NJ.
Discover the taste of empanadas made with locally grown goods at HACKENSACKtoberfest.
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Buses at Hackensack Transit Village
“Ease of getting around is the top amenity incentivizing people to buy homes in Hackensack, in my experience,” says Pierce. “Many commuters will drive to New York City, but there are lots of public transportation options.” Although some modes may be more preferred than others. “Buses can get you in and out of the city faster because they run more frequently than the trains,” says Dib. “The Hackensack Transit Village helps.” There’s always the option to go on foot, too. “A good part of Hackensack is walkable. Main Street runs north-south for about 2 miles from the north end at Route 4 until you get to the courthouse on the south end,” says Dib. “So you have a business district stretching along that corridor.”
Green intiatives and crime trends
“Our Green Team just got a bronze certification in September 2024 through the state office for sustainability,” says Dib. He also mentions a rain garden being installed at Hackensack High through the Green Team and Hackensack’s arts organization.
According to data reported to the FBI, violent crime increased about 35% and property crime decreased about 1% from 2022 to 2023.
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.
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