Oakland is a New Jersey borough that sits in the shadow of the Ramapo Mountains. The area offers a blend of suburban and rural living with plenty of recreation spots and a collection of nearby businesses. It’s also positioned to offer several transportation options allowing residents to get to New York City in under an hour. “It’s still a Bergen County town, which holds significant value, but it’s in the western part of the county that’s very bucolic,” says Valerie Tramontozzi, a Realtor with Keller Williams Prosperity, who’s been Oakland’s top agent since 2016 and who's also been living here for nearly 30 years. “You really get a hometown feel, and yet you have all the modern conveniences at your fingertips.”
Enjoy living in one of the quiet planned communities in Oakland.
The breathtaking Ramapo Mountain State Forest adjoins Oakland, offering a stunning natural retreat just beyond the town's borders.
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Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Crystal Lake
Ramapo Valley County Reservation is a 4,200-acre state forest that occupies Oakland’s west end. The park is known for its 16 miles of hiking trails that wind past historic buildings, through dense forest and around Ramapo Lake. The 120-acre lake is accessible to boats and kayaks, and residents fish for panfish, bass and trout. Oakland residents can connect to the reservation’s trails via the Ramapo Lake Trailhead off Skyline Drive. Another popular recreation spot is Crystal Lake, which offers a small sandy beach and is open to kayakers. And the Oakland Recreation Complex is a large athletic park with facilities for baseball, tennis and roller hockey. Those looking for an indoor activity can head to Holiday Bowl for late-night bowling.
Local restaurants along Route 202
In addition to its endless greenery, Oakland also has plenty of shopping and dining close by. Long Hill Plaza is a small shopping center with ShopRite for general needs. Coppertree Mall is another shopping center with other chain retailers like Staples and Pet Supplies Plus. The Oakland Giant Farmers Market is also open year-round with a variety of local and international products. The borough is highlighted by its collection of popular local restaurants spread along Route 202. Oakland Diner has been serving up classic American favorites since it opened back in 1949. JD’s Deli & Grille is a breakfast and lunch spot with a variety of sandwiches. There’s also Cenzino with locally sourced Italian fare, and across the street is Harvest & Ale for farm-to-table eats. “If you want to go to the big-box stores like Walmart and Target, they’re about 10 minutes away on 287 right up in Riverdale,” adds Tramontozzi.
The Oakland Diner is famous for its colorful murals, alongside terrific food.
Grab a sandwich or a slice at Junior's Pizza & Subs in Oakland.
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1900s ranch-style homes from the $400,000s
On Oakland's residential streets, 20th-century single-family colonial-style and ranch-style homes sit on at least a quarter-acre of land. Homes come with driveways and many also have attached garages. These older houses typically sell for $400,000 to $700,000. Ramapo River Reserve is a subcommunity with late-90s homes built into the Ramapo Mountains, offering stunning views. The planned community also features condos and amenities like its heated swimming pool. These single-family homes usually sell for $800,000 to $1 million, while the community’s two-bedroom condos go for $550,000 to $750,000. The CAP Index gives the community an overall crime score of 1, which is the lowest possible score. The national average is 4.
Enjoy cliffside living with a view in one of the planned communities in Oakland.
Various home styles from classic to modern can be found in Oakland.
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STEM courses at Indian Hills High
Students may start at Manito Elementary School with a B-plus from Niche, before going to Valley Middle School, which also gets a B-plus. They may then attend Indian Hills High School, which earns an A-minus and offers a specialized, four-year STEM program on aviation and aerospace developed by the largest aviation association in the world.
Manito Elementary School offers an excellent educational opportunity for students in Oakland, making it a compelling choice for families seeking a quality learning environment.
Indian Hills High School is dedicated to providing a high-quality education in Oakland, empowering students to reach their full potential.
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Oakland Carnival, summer beach concerts
The Oakland Public Events Committee hosts several gatherings throughout the year. The Oakland Carnival takes place in June with amusement rides, games and food vendors. They also get the community together for holidays with an annual Easter egg hunt, Halloween parade and a Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony. The Crystal Lake Beach Club also holds concerts during the summer featuring local musicians.
Commuting to NYC by car, bus or train
Because of its suburban and rural landscape, the area is primarily car-dependent. Oakland offers several ways to commute to Newark and New York City. Interstate 287 cuts through the borough and connects to surrounding towns as well as Interstate 80, which gets residents to the George Washington Bridge in as little as 45 minutes. Coppertree Mall has a park-and-ride bus stop with daily service to the Hackensack Bus Terminal. Commuters can also drive 6 miles south to the Lincoln Park train station, which runs rail lines to Hoboken and New York-Penn Station.
Anne Ryan is a professional, full time real estate salesperson with Coldwell Banker. A lifelong resident of Bergen County, she has extensive knowledge of the cities and municipalities in the area, as well as those in Hudson, Passaic, Morris and Essex Counties.
Anne believes the most successful client-agent relationship is one built on the principles of honesty, professionalism, and understanding client needs. She stands by a strong work ethic, knowledge of the industry, attention to detail, and commitment to quality customer service.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, Anne’s pledge to uphold these principles assures expert guidance from your initial consultation to your final closing. Please feel free to contact her anytime for professional help with all your real estate needs.
*Named among Bergen County’s Best Realtors® 2019-2025 *NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Award, 2019-2024 Member of: *National Association of Realtors® *New Jersey Realtors® *Greater Bergen Realtors®
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.
