Is Englewood NJ a Good Place to Live? An Honest 2026 Guide

Englewood is one of those Bergen County towns that doesn't always get the headlines that Fort Lee or Ridgewood command — but locals who live here tend to stay for a long time. It's a city of roughly 30,000 residents with a genuine sense of community, excellent private schools, and one of the most diverse dining corridors in the county. If you've been scanning Bergen County listings and wondering whether Englewood deserves a closer look, here's an honest breakdown.

I've helped buyers move to Englewood and Englewood Cliffs over many years. The people who thrive here value walkability, cultural diversity, and access to quality education — and they're willing to trade a longer commute for a neighborhood with character.

Where Exactly Is Englewood?

Englewood sits in the southeastern corner of Bergen County, about 12 miles from the George Washington Bridge and roughly 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It borders Englewood Cliffs to the north, Teaneck to the west, Leonia to the northeast, and Fort Lee to the east. The city covers about 3.1 square miles and includes a walkable downtown along Palisade Avenue and Van Brunt Street.

Unlike some Bergen County boroughs that are predominantly residential, Englewood has a genuine downtown core. Palisade Avenue runs through the heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and services — a mix of established businesses and newer arrivals that have been revitalizing the corridor over the past few years.

The Schools: Dwight-Englewood Is the Headline

Let's get the big draw out of the way first. The Dwight-Englewood School is one of the most well-known independent day schools in Bergen County — and in all of New Jersey. It serves students from pre-K through 12th grade and consistently ranks among the top private schools in the state. Niche rates it an A- overall, with particular strength in academics and college prep. The school draws families from across the region, and its reputation is a genuine selling point for the city.

The Englewood Public School District, which serves students who attend public schools, has a Niche grade of B-. The district includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and Dwight Morrow High School. While the public schools don't match the Dwight-Englewood private school in standardized test rankings, the district has been investing in improvements, and the schools serve a genuinely diverse student population — over 94% minority enrollment. For families comparing public school options, Fort Lee, Teaneck, and Tenafly all have stronger public school districts by test scores. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best schools in Bergen County.

Home Prices: Relative Value for Bergen County

As of spring 2026, Englewood's median home value sits around $609,000 to $678,000, depending on the source and property type. That positions Englewood as a more affordable option compared to Fort Lee (median $550K–$650K but with higher density and condo inventory) or Tenafly (median well above $800K). Single-family homes on Englewood's quieter residential streets — tree-lined blocks near MacKay Park or along Grand Avenue — tend to be colonials and capes from the mid-20th century, many updated with modern interiors.

The rental market is also active. Average rent for a two-bedroom runs $2,700 to $2,950 per month, which is competitive for Bergen County proximity to Manhattan. For a deeper look at what your full monthly housing budget looks like, see our affordability guide.

Property Taxes: The Bergen County Reality

Englewood's effective property tax rate is approximately 2.95%, which is roughly in line with the Bergen County average. For a home assessed at $650,000, that translates to an annual tax bill of approximately $9,000 to $10,000 — or about $750 to $835 per month on top of your mortgage payment.

That's significant by national standards, but for Bergen County, it's middle of the road. Towns like Englewood Cliffs and Tenafly tend to run higher, while Palisades Park and Cliffside Park offer somewhat lower rates. For a full countywide comparison, see our property taxes breakdown.

The Commute: Solid, Not Speedy

Englewood doesn't sit on the GWB corridor, which means the commute to Manhattan is a bit longer than Fort Lee or Palisades Park. But it's still manageable:

• Bus: NJ Transit Bus 166 runs from Englewood to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, taking approximately 40–55 minutes during rush hour. The bus stop along Palisade Avenue is convenient for downtown residents.
• Driving: You're about 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge, and 35–50 minutes to Midtown Manhattan depending on traffic. The Route 4 corridor provides highway access, though it can get congested during peak hours.
• Train combo: Some Englewood residents drive to Fort Lee or Leonia for express bus service, or connect through Secaucus Junction to NJ Transit rail to Penn Station.

For a complete comparison of every commute option from Bergen County to NYC, see our NYC commute guide.

Dining and Downtown: Englewood's Quiet Strength

Englewood's dining scene has been quietly building a reputation. The Palisade Avenue corridor features a genuine mix — not a single-cuisine strip but a diverse collection of restaurants reflecting the city's demographics. A few local standouts:

• CZEN (czennj.com) — A modern restaurant at 36 N Van Brunt Street blending Japanese and Korean influences. Elegant plating, craft cocktails, and a polished atmosphere that's become a go-to for date nights.
• Antioch Restaurant (antiochrestaurant.net) — Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors at 35 W Palisade Avenue. A neighborhood favorite with generous portions and a warm atmosphere.
• Trattoria Carpaccio — Italian dining at 120 Grand Avenue. Classic preparations, good wine list, and a reliable neighborhood feel.
• Zula — Mediterranean grill at 51 E Palisade Avenue with a modern menu and casual atmosphere.

Beyond restaurants, Englewood's downtown has seen new retail and service businesses open in recent years, and the city's proximity to Fort Lee's Asian dining corridor and Paramus shopping adds to the convenience factor. For more local dining recommendations, see our local business spotlights.

Parks and Outdoor Space

Englewood's standout green space is Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, a 150-acre preserve on the city's western edge. It offers hiking trails through forest and wetlands, a nature center with educational programs, and a genuine escape into nature that's remarkable for a city this close to Manhattan. The center sits along the base of the Palisades cliffs and provides a quiet, wooded contrast to Englewood's more developed eastern neighborhoods.

MacKay Park is the city's central park — a 16-acre space with athletic fields, a playground, and open green space popular with families. Morrow Park and Columbus Park provide additional neighborhood green space. The city is also a short drive from Overpeck County Park, one of the largest parks in Bergen County.

Neighborhood Character: Diverse and Established

Englewood is genuinely diverse — in demographics, income levels, and housing stock. The city includes affluent sections with large homes on spacious lots near the Englewood Cliffs border, more modest neighborhoods with working-class families, and a growing rental market along the Palisade Avenue corridor. This economic and cultural diversity is one of Englewood's defining features — it doesn't feel like a single-type suburb.

The housing stock ranges from mid-century colonials and capes to newer construction, particularly along the eastern edges. There's also a growing condo and apartment inventory, including several newer developments near downtown. If you want a large estate on acreage, Englewood Cliffs or Alpine are the addresses to pursue. If you want a walkable, culturally rich neighborhood with real character, Englewood delivers.

For a broader look at the area, explore our full Englewood town page and compare with Teaneck, Englewood Cliffs, and Fort Lee.

Who Englewood Is Right For

Englewood works best for buyers who want the Dwight-Englewood private school experience or a diverse, walkable community without the premium price tag of Fort Lee or Tenafly. It's ideal for families who value education options — both private and public — and for professionals who don't mind a slightly longer commute in exchange for a neighborhood with genuine identity.

What Englewood is probably not: the best fit for someone who wants to walk to the GWB bus terminal, or someone seeking the highest-rated public schools in Bergen County. But for a surprising number of families, the combination of private school access, cultural diversity, downtown dining, and relative affordability makes Englewood one of the best-kept secrets in the county.

If you're weighing Englewood against nearby towns, I'd love to help you compare. With 32+ years of experience in this area, I can help you find the community that actually fits your life — not just your commute.