Moving to Allendale, NJ: Homes, Schools, the Train and Everyday Life

Allendale is the kind of place people describe as “quiet” and mean it as a compliment. About 7,100 people live in a borough of just over three square miles in northwest Bergen County, between Ramsey, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River and Waldwick.

It has a little downtown clustered around a train depot that dates back to the 1800s. It has a 107-acre nature preserve where birdwatchers have counted more than 240 species. And every summer the whole town seems to show up at its own swimming lake.

Families make up much of the town. More than a quarter of residents are under 18, and the schools are a big part of why. Homes are not cheap, though, and taxes are well above the county average. Here is what to know before you start looking.

01Allendale at a glance

02Home prices

Zillow put the typical Allendale home at about $1.11 million in September 2026, up 9.1% from a year earlier. That places Allendale among roughly 20 Bergen County towns where the typical value is above $1 million.

The Census median, $782,700, is lower. It averages what owners reported between 2020 and 2024, so it lags the market, but it shows how far prices have climbed in the last few years.

What the houses are like

Allendale is almost entirely single-family homes. You will find older houses near the train station and downtown, mid-century Colonials, ranches and split-levels on leafy streets, and newer, larger homes on bigger lots toward the borough’s edges. Some older houses have been torn down and replaced.

There are a few townhouse and condo options, but not many, and very few rentals. About 81% of homes are owner-occupied. The Census median rent was $2,590, and with so few rentals available, choices are limited.

With so few homes in town, there may be only a handful of listings at a time. If you are serious about Allendale, have your financing lined up before you start touring.

03Property taxes

The average residential tax bill in Allendale was $17,912 in 2025, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. The Bergen County average was $14,200.

The effective tax rate, which compares taxes with market value, was 1.971%. At that rate, a $1.1 million home would pay roughly $21,700 a year. That is a rough estimate only, since the real bill depends on the assessment.

Assessments are kept current

Here Allendale differs from many Bergen towns. The borough reassesses every year, so assessments stay close to market value. You can see it in the numbers: the 2025 general tax rate (2.030%) and the effective rate (1.971%) are almost the same.

That makes a seller’s tax bill a more reliable guide than in towns that have not revalued in years. You will not face a sudden town-wide reset after you buy.

In 2026, the borough’s budget newsletter reported that average assessments rose about 12%, while the municipal tax rate fell about 10%. As a result, the average home’s municipal portion went up only $38. Remember that the municipal share is just one part of the bill. The school and county portions are set separately, and in most New Jersey towns schools are the biggest piece.

04Schools

Allendale’s public schools come in two stages.

Allendale School District covers pre-K through eighth grade in two schools. Hillside School serves pre-K through grade 3, and Brookside School serves grades 4 through 8, including the middle school years. With only two buildings, every child in town goes to the same school at each age. Classmates in kindergarten are often still classmates in eighth grade.

For high school, Allendale students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School, which the borough shares with Upper Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. Some Saddle River students attend as well.

We do not rank schools here. To compare them, use New Jersey’s official School Performance Reports, which show test results, class sizes and other measures for each school. Then visit and talk to local parents.

05The train and commuting

Allendale station sits in the middle of downtown, beside Allendale, Park and Myrtle Avenues. Rail service here goes back to 1848, and the depot has been on the west side of the tracks since 1902.

NJ Transit’s Main Line stops here, along with Bergen County Line trains on weekdays. Trains run toward Hoboken, and Midtown commuters usually change at Secaucus Junction for New York Penn Station. Some Port Jervis Line trains also stop here, which is useful if you head north into New York State. Check NJ Transit’s trip planner for current times.

Parking at the station

The borough runs the station parking, and much of it is permit-only on weekdays:

• the depot lot, with about 77 permit spaces;
• a lot on Allendale Avenue east of the tracks, with about 43 permit spaces, free on evenings and weekends;
• a larger lot of about 138 spaces, mixing daily and permit parking.

If you will drive to the train, ask Borough Hall about permits and any waiting list before you buy. Many residents near downtown just walk.

By car

Route 17 is a few minutes east, and Route 208 and I-287 are within easy reach. The Census puts the average commute at 36.3 minutes each way, a sign that many residents travel to New York or to offices farther afield.

06Everyday life

Downtown

Allendale’s downtown is small and practical, built around the train station. Expect a few cafes, delis, pizza places, salons and local services rather than a big restaurant scene. For a night out, most residents drive ten minutes to Ridgewood or Ramsey, which have bigger downtowns.

The Celery Farm

One of the town’s treasures is the Celery Farm, a 107-acre nature preserve that was once, as the name suggests, farmland. Volunteers from the Fyke Nature Association look after its footpaths, three observation platforms and nesting boxes. Birders have recorded more than 240 species here, and over 50 breed on site. It is open every day from dawn to dusk. The main entrance is on Franklin Turnpike, with a second one on Green Way.

Crestwood Lake

In summer, life revolves around Crestwood Lake, a borough-owned swimming lake in what is now called Crestwood Park. It began as a private summer resort in the late 1920s, and the borough bought the 70-acre property in 1971.

It runs on memberships. Allendale residents can join directly, and so can residents of Upper Saddle River, Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. People from other towns need an Allendale member to sponsor them. In 2026, the lake opened on weekends in late May and daily from late June. It is also home to the Crestwood Cruisers swim and dive team.

Close by

Ramapo College in Mahwah, the trails of Ramapo Valley County Reservation and the shops along Route 17 are all a short drive away.

07Before you buy: an Allendale checklist

1. Get the actual tax bill. Allendale’s assessments are updated every year, so the current bill is a reasonable guide. Still, ask for the most recent one, and remember that school and county taxes change each year.
2. Check for flooding. Parts of town sit near brooks and wetlands, including the Celery Farm area. Check FEMA’s flood map for the address, and read the seller’s flood disclosure, which New Jersey now requires.
3. Look for an old oil tank. As in much of northern New Jersey, older homes may have a buried oil tank from before they switched to gas. Ask for a tank sweep.
4. Test for radon. It is common in this part of the state, and testing is cheap.
5. Ask about station parking. If you will drive to the train, find out about permits before you sign.
6. Confirm the school zone. Every Allendale child goes to the same pre-K through eighth-grade schools and then Northern Highlands, which keeps things simple. Still, check with the district about registration timelines if you are moving mid-year.
7. Plan for summer. Crestwood Lake memberships open in May. If you are moving in spring, register early.

08Frequently asked questions

How much does a house cost in Allendale, NJ?

Zillow put the typical home value at about $1.11 million in September 2026, up 9.1% from a year earlier.

How high are property taxes in Allendale?

The average residential bill was $17,912 in 2025, with an effective tax rate of 1.971%. The borough reassesses every year, so assessments stay close to market value.

What high school do Allendale students attend?

Northern Highlands Regional High School, shared with Upper Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. Before that, students attend Hillside School (pre-K to grade 3) and Brookside School (grades 4 to 8).

Does Allendale have a train station?

Yes. Allendale station is downtown on NJ Transit’s Main Line, with Bergen County Line trains on weekdays and some Port Jervis Line trains. Riders to Manhattan usually transfer at Secaucus Junction.

What is Crestwood Lake?

A borough-owned swimming lake and park. Allendale residents can buy memberships, as can residents of Upper Saddle River, Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. People from other towns need an Allendale sponsor.

What is the Celery Farm?

A 107-acre nature preserve in Allendale, known for birdwatching, with more than 240 species recorded. It is open daily during daylight hours.

Figures checked October 2026. Prices, taxes and schedules change, so confirm before you decide. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Allendale borough
• Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026
• NJ Division of Taxation: General and effective tax rates, average residential tax bills
• Borough of Allendale: 2026 Budget Newsletter
• Borough of Allendale: Celery Farm
• Borough of Allendale: Crestwood Lake membership and history
• Allendale School District (overview)
• Allendale station (overview)
• NJ Department of Education: School Performance Reports
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center