Wanaque is a small town where family and community are held close to everyone's hearts. In 1870, three little boys got lost in the mountains while collecting nuts and died of hypothermia when night fell. Nearly a century and a half later, locals still talk about them as if those kids were their own children.
Dutch settlers bought Wanaque from Native Americans in 1729
Wanaque is a small town where family and community are held close to everyone's hearts. In 1870, three little boys got lost in the mountains while collecting nuts and died of hypothermia when night fell. Nearly a century and a half later, locals still talk about them as if those kids were their own children.
Dutch settlers bought Wanaque from Native Americans in 1729. For the next 150 years or so, those settlers farmed on the land and sold wool from their sheep. During the early years of the Industrial Revolution, Wanaque played a central part, hosting some of the first iron mines. Today, it is a thriving, modern town that holds over 11,100 people (per 2010 U.S. Census data) in its 7.99 square feet of land.
Expect to pay premium rates for renting an apartment in Wanaque -- think the same rents you would pay for a studio in Manhattan, although you may get a lot more space for the price. You'll also want to take some time to look at various rental units before you sign a lease. It's not always easy to find an apartment that meets your needs in Wanaque, so you'll want to take three to six months to conduct your search.
When you're ready to move in, you'll need to have documentation to help support your application. Make sure you have ID from your state of residence (if you're moving from another state, your driver's license from your current state is good enough) as well as proof of your income. In most cases, you'll want to have prove your flow of income before you move. Three pay stubs should be enough to prove that you can afford to pay the rent. If you're self-employed, you'll need to have records of your last three months' income as well as your tax return from last year to give landlords a clear picture of your income level. You'll also want to have a letter of reference from your current and previous landlords vouching for the fact that you pay rent on time and follow all apartment rules.
There are two main neighborhoods in Wanaque. The one that you choose will depend on what you prefer in terms of type of rental and where you work.
Midvale (aka Wanaque proper): There a wide range of housing options in this area of Wanaque, including affordable housing options subsidized by the local and federal government, detached houses, multi-family units and apartment houses. Wanaque is governed by a mayor and community council; the locals here have a strong interest in what is going on in and around their communities. The New Jersey Transit runs buses between Wanaque and Port Authority in midtown Manhattan, making commuting to NYC a snap.
Haskell: Haskell is a more industrial area. There are lots of factories and factory jobs here, providing an alternative to working in Manhattan for people who would prefer to work closer to home. There are more apartments for rent in this area. Haskell has its own post office and ZIP code, so expect to see some postcards (what are those?) often.
Wanaque is a politically active community that includes a city council headed by the mayor of the borough.
The annual Memorial Day parade runs through town, honoring past and current veterans, particularly those who lost their lives fighting for the United States. A wreath-laying ceremony is performed, paying homage at the town's veteran memorial statue.
Wanaque is also home to the Wanaque Public Library. The library is a member of the PALSPlus consortium, which offers access to over 300,000 books in both hardcopy and digital formats. Many different local and community events are held here for people of all ages, so make your way to the library for some fun and learning!
Wanaque is proud of its history. The town name is derived from a Native American word meaning "land of sassafras," and today's citizens are deeply involved in projects honoring the many veterans who make their home in Wanaque. Community projects include the collection of and disposal of worn-out American flags.
