Fair Lawn
A well-established borough with excellent commuter access and community spirit
By Scott Selleck — Licensed NJ/FL Real Estate Agent | 32+ Years in Bergen & Hudson Counties | The Selleck Group / KW City Views Realty
Last updated: June 2026
What Is It Like to Live in Fair Lawn, NJ?
Fair Lawn is a well-established borough of approximately 35,500 residents known for its A-rated schools, commuter-friendly location, and active community life. With median home values of $650K–$800K, it offers a wide range of housing in one of Bergen County's most livable suburbs.
Fair Lawn is one of Bergen County's larger and most established boroughs, combining a family-oriented community atmosphere with excellent commuter infrastructure. The borough's schools consistently earn top ratings on Niche, and its parks system — headlined by the 38-acre Veterans Memorial Park — provides abundant green space and recreation opportunities.
The residential landscape ranges from charming starter homes and post-war capes to expanded colonials and newer construction, giving the borough broad appeal across price points. The River Road and Broadway corridors feature a mix of local shops, restaurants, and services, while the Fair Lawn Promenade offers additional retail and dining options.
Fair Lawn is one of the best-served boroughs in Bergen County for commuters, with two NJ Transit train stations on the Bergen County Line (Radburn and Broadway), multiple NJ Transit bus routes, and easy access to Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway.
Schools Serving Fair Lawn, NJ?
A rated district on Niche. Fair Lawn Public Schools serve grades K–12 with strong academics, arts, and athletics.
What Do Homes Cost in Fair Lawn, NJ in 2026?
Median $650K–$800K. Mix of starter homes, capes, and expanded colonials. Strong demand.
How Long Is the Commute from Fair Lawn to NYC?
NJ Transit train from Radburn or Broadway station. Multiple bus routes. 30–60 min to Manhattan.
Where Are the Best Restaurants in Fair Lawn, NJ?
Sage Restaurant
A highly rated contemporary restaurant on Broadway with creative American dishes, craft cocktails, and an elegant atmosphere in the heart of Fair Lawn.
Gotham City Diner
A popular Broadway diner known for classic American comfort food, generous portions, and a lively neighborhood atmosphere.
Land & Sea Restaurant
A casual American restaurant on Fair Lawn Avenue serving seafood and steak dishes with a bar and relaxed vibe.
The Railyard Tavern
A neighborhood gastropub on Plaza Road North with craft beers, cocktails, and elevated pub fare in a welcoming setting.
Fair Lawn's Broadway and River Road corridors offer a diverse dining scene with American, Italian, and international options.
What Parks and Recreation Does Fair Lawn Offer?
Veterans Memorial Park
A large 38-acre municipal park with athletic fields, playgrounds, a pool complex, walking paths, and open green space — the centerpiece of Fair Lawn's parks system.
Berdan Grove Park
A scenic riverside park along the Passaic River with walking trails, fishing spots, and natural green space for passive recreation.
Knickerbocker Park
A neighborhood park with playgrounds, sports courts, and open space for community activities and family gatherings.
Larch Road Park
A community park with athletic fields and recreation facilities serving Fair Lawn's active sports programs.
What Community Events and Festivals Happen in Fair Lawn, NJ?
Fair Lawn Farmers Market
Weekly seasonal market featuring local produce, baked goods, and artisanal products from Bergen County vendors.
Summer Concert Series
Free outdoor concerts held throughout the summer at Veterans Memorial Park, featuring local and regional musicians.
Independence Day Celebration
Annual Fourth of July festivities with community activities, live entertainment, and evening fireworks.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Festival
A festive downtown event each December with caroling, shop visits, seasonal activities, and the official tree lighting ceremony.
How Do You Get to Manhattan from Fair Lawn, NJ?
Fair Lawn is exceptionally well-served by NJ Transit. Two stations on the Bergen County Line — Radburn and Broadway — provide direct train service to Hoboken Terminal, with connections to Penn Station via Secaucus Junction. Commute times are typically 45–65 minutes door-to-door.
Bus service via NJ Transit (Route 164 and others) provides direct access to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, often a faster option during peak commute hours with travel times of 30–50 minutes.
By car, Fair Lawn has convenient access to Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway, with the GW Bridge corridor reachable in approximately 20 minutes. Driving to Midtown takes 30–50 minutes off-peak.
Fair Lawn — Schools & Education
Schools serving the Fair Lawn area span public, private, parochial, and early childhood options across multiple grade levels.
Public Schools
The Fair Lawn Public Schools serves this community. Schools in the district include:
Elementary Schools
- Fair Lawn Public Schools — K–5
Middle Schools
- Bert Richey Middle School — 6–8
High Schools
- Fair Lawn High School — 9–12
For enrollment information and district details, visit Fair Lawn Public Schools.
Day Care & Early Childhood
- Fair Lawn Early Learning — Infant–Pre-K | Early childhood programs through local providers.
School ratings are sourced from GreatSchools.org as of 2026 and may change. Verify current data directly with the school district or GreatSchools.org.
How Do You Get to NYC from Fair Lawn?
Fair Lawn is one of the best-connected boroughs in Bergen County, served by two NJ Transit train stations on the Bergen County Line, multiple bus routes, and easy highway access via Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway.
NJ Transit Radburn Station
The Radburn station on the Bergen County Line provides direct service to Hoboken Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. Connect at Secaucus Junction for Penn Station service.
NJ Transit Broadway Station
The Broadway station also provides Bergen County Line service to Hoboken Terminal with similar commute times.
NJ Transit Bus to Port Authority
Bus Route 164 provides direct service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Commute times typically 30–50 minutes.
Driving via Route 17
Route 17 provides direct highway access to the GW Bridge corridor. Driving to Midtown takes approximately 30–50 minutes off-peak.
Average Commute
Fair Lawn residents average approximately 40–60 minutes door-to-door to Midtown Manhattan.
What Are the Schools Like in Fair Lawn?
Fair Lawn's public schools serve the community with strong academics. The school district is consistently rated A on Niche, known for academics, arts, and athletics.
Fair Lawn Public Schools (K–8)
Elementary and middle schools serving the borough's approximately 35,500 residents with strong academics.
Fair Lawn High School
The borough's comprehensive high school offering academics, athletics, and extensive extracurricular programs.
Nearby Private Schools
Private and parochial options in neighboring Paramus, Glen Rock, and Ridgewood provide additional educational choices.
Fair Lawn Public Library
The borough library offers programs for all ages, community events, and extensive resources.
School ratings, when cited, are sourced from GreatSchools.org or Niche.com and are provided for informational purposes only. Verify current ratings directly with the relevant school district or rating source.
Where Are the Best Coffee Shops in Fair Lawn?
Fair Lawn has local cafes and bakeries along Broadway and River Road, with easy access to dining in Glen Rock, Paramus, and Ridgewood.
Broadway Cafés
Local coffee shops and bakeries along Broadway serve the community's daily coffee needs in a neighborhood atmosphere.
Fair Lawn Promenade
The Promenade shopping area offers additional food and coffee options in a modern retail setting.
Glen Rock & Ridgewood Options (nearby)
Neighboring Glen Rock and Ridgewood offer eclectic café and dining options just minutes away.
Is Fair Lawn Good for Pet Owners?
Fair Lawn is pet-friendly with walkable streets, multiple parks, and the Passaic River trail area. Veterinary services are available in the borough and neighboring towns.
Nearby Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary practices in Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, and Paramus provide comprehensive pet care.
Veterans Memorial Park
The borough's large park system provides excellent settings for leashed dog walks with open green space.
Berdan Grove Park
The riverside park along the Passaic River offers scenic walking paths for pet owners.
Pet Supply Shopping
Pet supply stores are accessible in Fair Lawn and nearby Paramus.
What Hospitals and Medical Services Are Near Fair Lawn?
The Valley Hospital in Paramus and Hackensack University Medical Center are both accessible from Fair Lawn.
The Valley Hospital (Paramus)
A major 450-bed hospital about 10 minutes away, providing emergency and specialty care.
Hackensack University Medical Center
One of New Jersey's largest hospitals, about 8 miles away. A Level I Trauma Center.
Primary Care
Primary care physicians are available throughout Fair Lawn and neighboring communities.
Pharmacies
CVS, Walgreens, and local pharmacies are accessible in Fair Lawn.
Where Do Residents Shop for Groceries in Fair Lawn?
Fair Lawn has multiple grocery options within the borough and is minutes from major shopping in Paramus and Glen Rock.
Local Markets
Supermarkets and specialty markets along Broadway and River Road serve daily grocery needs.
ShopRite & Whole Foods (nearby)
Full-service supermarkets in nearby Paramus provide complete grocery selections including specialty options.
Trader Joe's (Paramus, nearby)
Popular specialty grocery at Paramus Park, about 10 minutes away.
Everyday Errands
Fair Lawn's commercial corridors provide convenient daily shopping with larger retail in Paramus.
What Parks and Outdoor Spaces Does Fair Lawn Offer?
Fair Lawn offers an extensive park system headlined by Veterans Memorial Park, riverside green space along the Passaic River, and proximity to the broader Bergen County park system.
Veterans Memorial Park
A 38-acre park with athletic fields, a pool complex, playgrounds, walking paths, and community event spaces.
Berdan Grove Park
Scenic riverside park along the Passaic River with walking trails and natural green space.
Passaic River Trail
Walking and biking paths along the Passaic River corridor for outdoor recreation.
Walking & Biking
Fair Lawn's tree-lined residential streets and parks make it excellent for walking and cycling.
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Sources & Learn More — Fair Lawn
- Borough of Fair Lawn — Official Website
- Fair Lawn Public Schools — NJ Dept. of Education
- NJ Transit Bus & Rail Schedules
- Radburn Station — NJ Transit
- Hackensack Meridian Health — Official Website
- Bergen County Parks & Recreation
- NJ Association of Realtors — Market Data
- Niche.com — Fair Lawn School Ratings