A lot of cities have notable people on their roster of residents. But when it comes to Tenafly, the number of reputable people that call the city home is incomparable. There are countless famous residents, mostly due to the fact that the city is so close to New York City and among them are baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, poet Peter Balakian, Benihana founder Hiroaki Aoki, singer and businessman Jimmy Dean, singer Lesley Gore, baseball player Tino Martinez, actress Mira Sorvino, women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and cartoonist George Price.
Not too far from the Big Apple is a place called Tenafly, a great New Jersey city that is both a commuter town and a destination unto itself. Tenafly, like most other places in the area, was settled by the Dutch. The town established itself in the 17th century, and was incorporated as an official "borough" in 1894. Today, the borough has grown into a thriving town, with tons of entertainment, dining, shopping and business choices (as if you needed more of those being so close to New York City!) People move to Tenafly for a lower cost of living than nearby New York, and they also move for a bit more relaxation. It's quite a desirable place to live, in fact. New Jersey Monthly named it the 65th best place to live in the state. That might sound high but there are tons of places in New Jersey to call home!
Moving to Tenafly
So, you're thinking of moving to the New York City area, and Tenafly is the place you've decided to search for rental apartments. Congratulations, then! You'll definitely be able to find apartments for rent in Tenafly, and they're going to be loads cheaper than the ones you'd find in Manhattan and Brooklyn (maybe even Queens, too). However, you're going to have to search hard. Somewhere affordable to live that is near New York is super hard to come by, so finding the perfect apartment for rent will be no walk in Central Park. If you want to secure the apartment of your dreams, you'll need to come prepared. And all it takes is a little studying and preparation to come out on top of the game.
The first step is to gather all the documents you'll need to put in a leasing application. The point of a leasing application is to convince a landlord both that you are a financially responsible person, and that you'll be an awesome tenant. To prove your financial stability, you'll want to bring documents like bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of income or a letter of employment. These things assure the landlord that you'll have enough money to pay rent when rent is due. To prove how good you are personally, you'll want to get letters of reference from former landlords who can attest to what a great a tenant you were. You'll also want to gather any personal references in case landlords want to investigate further. If you have any worry about your financial stability as a renter, consider getting a guarantor. A guarantor has more money than you do and guarantees your apartment financially. This means that if you're not able to pay rent or something happens to the apartment (and is your fault) and you can't pay for it, there's someone in the picture who can! If you need a guarantor, consider asking a parent, relative, or a friend who you trust and feel close to.
Now, once you've gathered your documents prepare to make a deposit on the apartment. A deposit usually includes at least a month's rent and an extra security deposit in the amount of one month's rent. Having the deposit ready in your account will allow you to secure rental houses you love the minute you see them, making sure you don't lose out to any other potential renters. Start saving your pennies when you know you're going to have to move. Not only do you need cash for deposit and rent, but the cost of moving is pretty high, too!
Tenafly Neighborhoods
Consider the following areas in Tenafly when you're trying to decide which neighborhood is for you.
City Center: Most people think the center of the city is in its geographical center. But in Tenafly, they'd be wrong! In fact, the center of Tenafly is its eastern side, which is closest to New York City and also on the Hudson River. The city center, or Borough Center, to be accurate, is where most of the businesses in the city are. In the city center, you can go out to eat, shop, see entertainment, and even run errands. The city center of Tenafly is also home to the Tenafly Nature Center. At this beautiful green respite, you can find trees, grass, paths, Green Brook pond and even wild animals. Choose this area if you want great access to natural attractions and businesses, as well as comfortable suburban living.
Knickerbocker: This is the western area of Tenafly, and also the most quiet. The area is mostly residential, and it certainly feels like a suburban respite, even compared to the bustle of nearby city center. The area is home to some beautiful parks to spend time in; some of the most popular include Davis Johnson Park and Sunny Side Park. If you like golf, this might also be the area for you, because it's home to the illustrious Knickerbocker Country Club.
Living in Tenafly
Not everyone who lives in Tenafly is just here to commute into the city. There are plenty of local businesses that people choose to work at or attractions that people want to live near. One of the favorite in Tenafly is the Knickerbocker Country Club, where people can golf, hang out with friends, swim, and more. The Tenafly Nature Center is also a draw in the area; how rare it is to be so near to New York and to be able to live near nature and wild animals!
However, many people do live in Tenafly to commute into New York City both for work and for play. Commuting is made easy in the area by buses that run directly from New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal. Also, of course, in New York City, there is literally a limitless selection of things to do. From world class art at the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, or on the Broadway stages, to the planet's best dining at restaurants like Le Bernadin or Per Se, having an awesome time is guaranteed in New York, which is a good a reason as any to choose to call Tenafly home.
There are also plenty of places to eat in Tenafly so you don't have to make your way out to New York City every time you're too lazy to cook. Check out Axia, Palmer's Crossing Restaurant or Cafe Angelique.
