Set along the Wanaque Reservoir and flanked by scenic mountains and ridges, Wanaque is a northern New Jersey suburb with a rural landscape. Wanaque gets its name from the Lenni Lenape Native American word meaning rest and repose, which fittingly describes this peaceful borough. “Even though it’s tucked within the mountains, Wanaque has more of a suburban feel than Ringwood to the north,” says Orly Steinberg, President of Keller Williams Village Square Realty, who’s been selling homes in Wanaque since 1986. According to the CAP Index, the township has a crime score of 2 out of 10, which is below the national average of four. Though the borough has a rural setting, it’s not secluded. Upper Manhattan is just 25 miles east.
20th-century Cape Cod and colonial-styles
Sidewalks and streetlights line the suburban residential streets in Wanaque. Cape Cod-style homes and colonials built in the mid-20th century are the most common houses here, with most situated on smaller, well-kept lots. A majority of the homes have driveways, and some come with detached garages. “Many people like starting in Wanaque because it’s more affordable than the larger homes in Ringwood,” says Steinberg. Homes tend to stay on the market for about a month and typically sell for $300,000 to $500,000.
Cape Cods and bungalows are common in neighborhoods in Wanaque.
Colonial style homes, sometimes with detached garages, are the norm throughout Wanaque, NJ.
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Wanaque Ridge, Back Beach Park
The scenic landscape of northern New Jersey provides residents with abundant recreational options. Just across the Wanaque Reservoir, the dense trees of the 5,400-acre Norvin Green State Forest turn to vibrant shades of red and yellow in the autumn, providing views for hikers and mountain bikers who take to the forest’s trails. Residents also enjoy a different point of view from the Wanaque Ridge, where they can walk along the 4.2-mile trail loop and observe local flora and fauna. The nearby Ramapo and Rainbow Lakes are popular fishing spots stocked with trout and bass. Around the community, smaller recreation spaces like Back Beach Park offer sports fields, basketball courts and playgrounds.
Wanaque locals can fish at the trout-stocked Rainbow Lake.
Adventurous hikers can take the trail from Back Beach Park to the top of Wanaque Ridge.
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University Program at Lakeland Regional High
Prekindergartners through eighth graders may attend Wanaque Elementary before going to Lakeland Regional High. Both schools have a B-plus rating from Niche and boast low student-to-teacher ratios. Lakeland’s students can participate in the University Program to explore career options and receive college credit in fields like Biomedical Research and Graphic Design.
Wanaque Elementary School in Passaic County, NJ has a student body of about 500.
Earning an overall B from Niche, Lakeland Regional is a safe place to send your teens to school.
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Shopping and dining along Ringwood Avenue
Ringwood Avenue has most of the borough's retail and dining. The slew of stores includes a Stop & Shop supermarket and local shops like The Meating Place, a family-owned butcher and deli that’s been in business since 1991. Local dining staples include The Lantern, which serves familiar American favorites, and Pizza One, which offers homestyle Italian eats. There’s also Tree Tavern and Berta’s Chateau, both of which offer comfortable locales with extensive wine menus for a more elevated dining experience.
Main Street in Wanaque is quiet and filled with options for shopping and food.
The Lantern in Wanaque is a local greasy spoon offering breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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Close to I-287, bus route to NYC
Wanaque's remote nature requires residents to mostly rely on cars for transportation. Thoroughfares like Interstate 287 connect folks to neighboring communities and New York City. Commuters can also drive 4 miles north and leave their car at Ringwood Park and Ride to take the bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. The trip takes about an hour, and buses arrive every 30 minutes.
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