Entertainer Queen Latifah once said some of America's greatest talent comes from New Jersey. One such talent, James Gandolfini, who played ruthless mob boss, Tony Soprano, in HBO's The Sopranos, actually hailed from Westwood, New Jersey.
New Jersey is definitely a place of interesting people and places
Entertainer Queen Latifah once said some of America's greatest talent comes from New Jersey. One such talent, James Gandolfini, who played ruthless mob boss, Tony Soprano, in HBO's The Sopranos, actually hailed from Westwood, New Jersey.
New Jersey is definitely a place of interesting people and places. It's not only home to some famous talent, but it's also the place of Pleasantville. Well, not the Pleasantville where Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon once resided as costars, but rather, Westwood, New Jersey. In the early 19th century, this northeastern part of New Jersey was known as Pleasantville, but it became a part of the Harrington Township, or what later became Washington Township in 1826. By 1875 the name of the town changed to Westwood, and later in 1909, it became the Borough of Westwood. If that's not enough to excite you, Westwood was also once home to the Lenni-Lenape Indians of the Eastern Algonquin Nation, and was primarily farmland before the Civil War. Of course, the Erie Railroad changed all of that, and today, this self-governed township is home to 10,908 Jersey residents, per 2010 U.S. Census data. So, let's see what you need to consider to join the fray of Pleasantville Westwood.
In Westwood, you can fit right in with other renters because they average higher than both the state and nation. You can also find many different types of rental apartments in various communities. You can find your typical mom-and-pop 2 bedroom apartment for rent, or Melrose Place style of luxury apartment. Not to mention, you have quite a few house rentals to choose from.
What to Expect
In Westwood, you'll have fun with the quirky creative because the town is renowned for its artists, designers, and media people. This creativity not only reflects in the character of the people, but also in the neighborhoods and architecture. So when you begin your search, expect to find some interesting Westwood rental apartments with witty personality.
What It Will Cost
On the one hand, you won't have a problem finding creative and quirky-style places with that mom-and-pop flair, but you'll find a higher rental rate than the state and national average. However, if you find the place that fits your budget, go for it.
Westwood has a high population of professional and educated people, and many families want to live here because low crime rates, a stable housing environment, great amenities, and a higher income per capita. This means you may have to fight for your right to rent once you figure which neighborhood works best for you.
Aster Lane / Riverdale Road: As far as safety goes, this Westwood neighborhood ranks the highest, which means, you'll feel the hole in your pocket book if you're one of the lucky ones to find a vacancy. This is more of a residential living area, but if you're lucky and find a place to rent, you can revel in low crime rates, eat a nice meal at Vale Bar and Grill, shop at Zagwear, or enjoy a latte at Starbucks.
River Vale: There's nothing wrong with seconds, and that's what you'll get in safety in this neighborhood. However, you'll still have to fork out the cash to rent here, but that's a small price to pay for the same amenities mentioned above.
Washington Avenue / 4th Avenue: Step back. This is the neighborhood that offers medium-sized to large single-family homes and small apartment buildings. Although vacancies are still lower than the national average, you have more opportunity of finding a place in this area, and the pain of that pocket book hole eases up a little.
Here's the thing. If you're moving to Westwood for amazing entertainment or a jumpin' nightlife, you may feel a little disappointed. People move here for the community, overall environment, and education. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing fun to do. During the summer, you can enjoy great family blockbusters like "Frozen" at Summer Movies in the Park at Veteran's Park. You can enjoy all the Westwood Community Center has to offer, including a full court gym and full working kitchen. Or, you can take in a baseball game at Brookside Park; ice skate at Gritman Park in the winter; have a picnic at Hegeman Park; or, fish at Meadowbrook Park. If that's not enough to move you, you can always take a short trip to the big city and take in a show featuring some of the best talent in the world.
