Embracing the scenic vistas of the Hudson Palisades, and just across the river from The Bronx, Tenafly, New Jersey offers homeowners the unique opportunity to live both close to New York and in a quiet, leafy suburb teeming with historic homes and local businesses. Tenafly’s unique name comes from its origins as a Dutch colony of the late 1600s; Tenafly means “ten swamps” in Dutch. Since its foundation in 1677, Tenafly developed into a farming community by the Revolution and a rural suburb of New York City by the 1870s. The Gilded Age saw the acceleration of Tenafly’s suburbanization, with the development of historic homes, a public library, and even a fire department.
Aerial view of downtown Tenafly, NJ
The Borough of Tenafly, NJ was incorporated in 1894.
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Living in Tenafly
While modern Tenafly is intrinsically linked with the rest of Bergen County due to the proximity of major roads, it retains its centuries-old charm due to its abundance of Colonial-style houses, Gilded Age Tudors, and ranch-style homes popular at the turn of the 20th century. Homes in Tenafly typically sell for approximately a million dollars, reflecting this town’s continued popularity as a commuter suburb of New York. Realtor Ron Cohen of Keller Williams says, “When it comes to home styles, Tenafly has many historic properties still standing today. You can find a variety of home styles: Victorian homes built in the early 1900s, colonials, and new construction homes.”
A colonial style house in Tenafly, NJ with a large garage.
Ranch style houses remain a popular choice in Tenafly, NJ.
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A vibrant retail scene
Tenafly continues to be a desirable suburb due to its wealth of great features. Cohen says, “Tenafly is known to be one of the best towns to live in Bergen County. Known for its green spaces, great schools, and many shops, Tenafly draws New York residents and is referred to as a ‘suburb for urbanites.’” Tenafly’s quiet suburban atmosphere is matched by equally vibrant shopping and dining scenes. Its popular restaurants include the Victorian-style Café Angelique, the retro-themed Tenafly Classic Diner, and the cozy Japanese restaurant of Mr. Wok and Sushi. Also unique is the local supermarket, Tenafly Gourmet Farms, which features a selection of deli, produce, and frozen goods on par with any big-name retailer.
Lunch is always a popular time at Cafe Angelique in Tenafly, NJ.
The lunch crowd at Mr Wok and Sushi, Nouvelle Chinese and Japanese Cuisine in Tenafly, NJ.
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Visiting the Tenafly Nature Center and Roosevelt Common
Beyond its shopping attractions, Tenafly also makes great use of its scenic location. The Tenafly Nature Center, located along the Palisades, offers locals the opportunity to explore 400 acres of majestic forest, while the Roosevelt Common in town includes both a playground and a monument to the avid conservationist and President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt.
Tree covered benches await strollers at Roosevelt Common in Tenafly, NJ.
The welcome sign for Tenafly Nature Center in Tenafly, NJ.
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Learning in the Tenafly School District
Tenafly offers what most other suburbs strive for: an outstanding public school experience. Cohen says, “One of the main reasons families are moving to Tenafly is the school district. Tenafly School District is the second-best in all of Bergen County, along with being the sixth best school district in the entire state.”
Dwight-Englewood School in
Englewood, NJ is ranked #1 in Private High Schools in Bergen County.
66% of students at Malcolm S. Mackay Elementary School in Tenafly, NJ are proficient in reading.
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Easy commutes to NYC
Commuters will find that Tenafly offers convenient access to the big city via bus or car. Cohen says, “Tenafly is the ideal place to live if you need to commute to New York City; it’s located 18 miles away from Midtown Manhattan. In order to get to the city, you will have to take the bus to Port Authority in Midtown Manhattan, while the commute by car should take you around 45 minutes.” With an abundance of nature, dining, culture, shopping, and transportation options, Tenafly brings out the best features that a North Jersey suburb can offer.
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