In 2005, filmmaker Kristian Fraga premiered a documentary entitled Anytown, USA. The film focused on the 2003 mayoral race between Republican Steve Lonegan, Democrat Fred Pesce, and independent Dave Musikant. The film was screened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival, where it then went on to win the top award for Best Documentary. Lonegan won the mayoral race, by over 1000 votes.
Bogota, New Jersey, is one of the many towns that grew out of what New Jersey residents call "Boroughitis." Such a condition points to the manner in which several boroughs and small towns were created in the late 19th-century as New Jersey cities were starting to form more clearly. Bogota was established in 1894. Ranked today as the 242nd largest community in the state of New Jersey (read that as: it's not that big compared to other towns), Bogota is a pleasant, community-focused borough that provides the necessary safety and comfort of living a quieter life outside the noise of the city -- that is, New York City. There are two elementary schools - the Steen School and Bixby School - and Bogota Junior and Senior High School. The crime rate is among the lowest in the nation as well, which draws in college students who commute either to, say, Barnard College, Boricua College or Columbia University. The comfort of Bogota cannot be overlooked, and the cozy atmosphere is one of the borough's charms.
Moving to Bogota
Mostly Homeowners
The city of Bogota, New Jersey is primarily made up of homeowners and property owners. Thus, the real estate market tends to lean less towards renting and more towards homeownership. Nevertheless, the market is still ripe with one bedroom apartments, 2 bedroom apartments, and homes for rent.
Walkability and Transit
The small town feel and overall pleasantness that community members appreciate make Bogota a safe town with a high walkability score. Neighbors enjoy walking to and from family restaurants and parks, such as Beechwood Park, Olsen Park and Leonia Park, where children are welcomed to play on jungle gyms and pet owners are encouraged to play fetch outside. What's more, Bogota is regarded and praised for its transit services. This is crucial, too, since many residents commute right in to New York City. The average commute time clocks in at around 30 minutes. Transit lines run through Bogota between Hackensack, Jersey City, Paramus and New York City. Lines are also available to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, as well as the George Washington Bridge Bus Tunnel.
Neighborhoods in Bogota
Borough Center
Located in the Southern part of the city, Borough Center offers apartment rentals. Its properties are primarily made up of small to medium sized apartments. Heads up, though: the vacancy is less than 1%! Needless to say, housing supply is very tight in Borough Center, and this could very well point to a strong demand for more real estate on the horizon. Borough Center is highly walkable, and has proven itself to be a great choice for college students. The neighborhood scores an above-average safety score in terms of crime, and the residents are friendly and excitable towards the energy of college students. Naturally, as a result, the pace of the neighborhood changes each summer and winter between semesters.
West Main St. & River Rd.
This urban neighborhood is located in the Northern part of the city. Apartment availability is higher, with its vacancy coming in at around 5%. Similarly, though, West Main St. & River Rd. still sees a high demand for real estate, and new construction of residential property could very well contribute to that demand. Within the neighborhood, you'll find professionals from various parts of the workforce: a quarter of the population works in management or professional occupations; another quarter work in clerical or tech support occupations; another quarter work within the restaurant and service industry; and the remaining work within the manufacturing and labor industries.
Living in Bogota
One can find a variety of diverse cuisine in Bogota, such as Luka's Italian Cuisine, Riviera Maya, La Famigilia Ristorante Italiano, Cafe Europa, Bogota Chinese Kitchen and Boxcar Bagel & Deli. Residents also take comfort in the neighborhood-style bars and taverns in town: The 101 Pub, The Cozy Tavern and Andy's Bar are all conveniently located on Queen Anne Rd. Many establishments have been in business for years, and they become a staple in residents' special occasions and weekly hangouts with friends and family.
Bogota provides many programs and resources that make life healthy and comfortable for residents. When you're living in a safe and cozy borough like Bogota, it's easy to take care of yourself with the health-oriented opportunities that are offered. The town recreation center provides the facilities necessary for basketball, baseball, cheerleading, baton twirling and summer camp for the kids. For adults, Bogota offers a variety of sports clubs and recreation centers to support a healthy lifestyle, like the Bogota Golf & Sport Center, You And I Fitness Studio, and Bogota Swim Club. To ensure that residents lead wholly healthy lives, wellness centers such as the Bogota Chiropractic and Wellness Center, and the Whole Body Natural Wellness Center. Similarly, outside appearance remains a source of pride for Bogota community members, and there are several salons to choose from to stay trendy and confident, like Hair and Nail Excellence Meffashion Hair & Beauty Supply and Seth David Lombardi Studio. Don't forget to spoil yourself, though: head down to ArtCup and Cake for some confectionary treats!
