Montvale
A borough near the NY border with schools and corporate employers
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By Scott Selleck \u2014 Licensed New Jersey Real Estate Agent | Licensed since 1993 in Bergen & Hudson Counties | The Selleck Group / KW City Views Realty
Last updated: June 2026
What Is It Like to Live in Montvale, NJ?
Montvale is a borough of approximately 8,900 residents near the New York border, known for its schools, corporate employers, and residential character. With median home values around $899K, it offers upscale suburban living in the Pascack Valley region.
Montvale is a borough in the Pascack Valley region of northwestern Bergen County, with approximately 8,900 residents. Its location near the New York State border and its schools make it an attractive option for commuters and residents. The borough is home to several major corporate employers, including the former BMW North America headquarters, Sharp Corporation, and Benjamin Moore, giving the area an established employment base.
The residential landscape features colonials, split-levels, and contemporary homes on well-maintained lots with mature landscaping. The Montvale Board of Education School District (PK\u20138), and students attend Pascack Hills High School for grades 9\u201312 \u2014 a top regional school. Tice's Corner Marketplace, an open-air dining and shopping destination on the historic Tice Farms site, provides a distinctive local amenity.
While Montvale does not have direct NJ Transit bus service, Rockland Coaches provides express bus service from the Montvale Town Center Park & Ride to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The borough is also accessible via Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway, and neighboring Park Ridge and Hillsdale offer Pascack Valley Line train stations.
Schools Serving Montvale, NJ?
Montvale schools (PK\u20138) and Pascack Hills HS (9\u201312).
What Do Homes Cost in Montvale, NJ in 2026?
Median around $899K. Colonials, split-levels, and contemporary homes on well-maintained lots.
How Long Is the Commute from Montvale to NYC?
Rockland Coaches express bus to Port Authority. Nearby Pascack Valley Line train. 50\u201365 min.
Where Are the Best Restaurants in Montvale, NJ?
Hearth & Tap
A contemporary American restaurant and bar on Kinderkamack Road offering seasonal dishes, craft beers, and a warm atmosphere.
Bellissimo Restaurant
A popular Italian restaurant on Kinderkamack Road serving classic pasta dishes, seafood, and traditional Italian fare.
Joe and Joe (nearby)
A well-known pizzeria and restaurant in nearby Pearl River, NY, serving classic New York-style pizza and Italian dishes.
Fire & Oak (nearby)
A contemporary American restaurant in nearby Woodcliff Lake featuring wood-fired dishes, an extensive whiskey selection, and a warm atmosphere.
Montvale's dining options center around Kinderkamack Road and Tice's Corner Marketplace, with neighboring towns offering additional variety.
What Parks and Recreation Does Montvale Offer?
Montvale Park
A community park with athletic fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, and open green space for recreation and community events.
Tice Farms (Tice’s Corner)
An open-air shopping and dining destination on the historic site of the original Tice Farms, with multiple restaurant options and seasonal events.
Wood Dale County Park (nearby)
A serene Bergen County park with walking trails, fishing, and picnicking along the Woodcliff Lake reservoir.
Pascack Brook County Park (nearby)
A linear park with paved trails running along the Pascack Brook, connecting neighboring communities.
What Community Events and Festivals Happen in Montvale, NJ?
Montvale Farmers Market
Weekly seasonal market featuring local produce, baked goods, and artisanal products from Bergen County vendors.
Independence Day Celebration
Annual Fourth of July festivities with community activities, live music, and evening fireworks.
Holiday Tree Lighting
A festive community gathering each December with caroling, hot cocoa, and the official tree lighting ceremony.
Montvale Community Day
An annual celebration with food vendors, live entertainment, and activities for all ages in the borough.
How Do You Get to Manhattan from Montvale, NJ?
Montvale is served by Rockland Coaches express bus service from the Montvale Town Center Park & Ride to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. The bus commute typically takes 50\u201365 minutes.
Rail access is available from nearby Hillsdale and Park Ridge stations on the NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line, providing service to Secaucus Junction, Hoboken Terminal, and Penn Station.
By car, Montvale is accessible via Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway. Driving to Midtown Manhattan takes approximately 45\u201360 minutes off-peak, with easy access to the GW Bridge via Route 208.
Montvale — Schools & Education
Schools serving the Montvale area span public, private, parochial, and early childhood options across multiple grade levels.
Public Schools
The Montvale Board of Education School District serves this community. Schools in the district include:
Elementary Schools
- Montvale Elementary Schools — PK–8
High Schools
- Pascack Hills High School (regional) — 9–12
For enrollment information and district details, visit Montvale Board of Education School District.
Cooperative Programs
- Pascack Valley Regional High School District — Montvale students attend Pascack Hills High School as part of this regional district. | More info
Day Care & Early Childhood
- Montvale Early Learning — Infant–Pre-K | Early childhood programs through local providers.
How Do You Get to NYC from Montvale?
Montvale is served by Rockland Coachers express bus and has nearby rail access on the Pascack Valley Line.
Rockland Coaches Express Bus
Express bus service from Montvale Town Center Park & Ride to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Commute times typically 50–65 minutes.
Pascack Valley Line (Hillsdale/Park Ridge)
Nearby train stations provide rail service to Hoboken Terminal and Penn Station via Secaucus Junction.
Driving via Route 17
Route 17 provides highway access to the GW Bridge corridor. Driving to Midtown takes approximately 45–60 minutes off-peak.
Average Commute
Montvale residents average approximately 55–70 minutes door-to-door to Midtown Manhattan via bus.
What Are the Schools Like in Montvale?
Montvale's public schools serve PK–8 students, with high school students attending Pascack Hills High School through the regional district.
Montvale Public Schools
Elementary and middle schools serving the borough's approximately 8,900 residents.
Pascack Hills High School
Students attend this regional high school offering academics, athletics, and extracurriculars.
Nearby Private Schools
Private options in neighboring communities provide additional educational choices.
Montvale Public Library
The borough library offers programs for all ages and community 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 Montvale?
Montvale has local dining at Tice's Corner and along Kinderkamack Road, with neighboring towns offering more options.
Tice's Corner Cafés
Coffee shops and eateries at the Tice's Corner open-air shopping destination serve the community.
Nearby Options
Neighboring Park Ridge and Hillsdale offer additional café and dining options.
Is Montvale Good for Pet Owners?
Montvale is pet-friendly with borough parks and proximity to county parks and nature areas.
Nearby Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary practices in neighboring Park Ridge, Hillsdale, and Woodcliff Lake provide pet care.
Borough Parks
Community parks with green space provide settings for leashed dog walks.
Nearby Nature Areas
County parks and nature areas provide walking trails for outdoor activities with pets.
Pet Supply Shopping
Pet supply stores are accessible in nearby Paramus and the Route 17 corridor.
What Hospitals and Medical Services Are Near Montvale?
The Valley Hospital in Paramus and Hackensack University Medical Center are both accessible from Montvale.
The Valley Hospital (Paramus)
A 450-bed hospital about 10 minutes away, providing emergency and specialty care.
Hackensack University Medical Center
One of New Jersey's largest hospitals, about 10 miles away. A Level I Trauma Center.
Primary Care
Primary care physicians are available in Montvale and neighboring communities.
Pharmacies
CVS and Walgreens are accessible in Montvale and nearby Paramus.
Where Do Residents Shop for Groceries in Montvale?
Montvale has local markets at Tice's Corner and is minutes from major grocery shopping in Paramus and the Route 17 corridor.
Tice's Corner Marketplace
The open-air shopping destination offers grocery and specialty food options.
ShopRite (nearby)
Full-service supermarkets in nearby Paramus provide complete grocery selections.
Everyday Errands
Montvale's commercial areas provide basic daily needs with larger shopping in neighboring Paramus.
What Parks and Outdoor Spaces Does Montvale Offer?
Montvale offers borough parks and proximity to the Pascack Valley trail system and county parks.
Borough Parks
Community parks with playgrounds, sports fields, and open green space for community recreation.
Wood Dale County Park (nearby)
A serene county park with walking trails and fishing along the Woodcliff Lake reservoir.
Walking & Biking
Montvale's residential streets and park areas make it suitable for walking and cycling.
Renting in Montvale
Northwest Bergen's corporate hub with top schools and a quiet suburban feel.
Rental Market Snapshot
What Renters Are Paying
| Unit Type | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,000 to $2,500/mo |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,200 to $2,800/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,600 to $3,400/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,200 to $4,200/mo |
Average rent across all unit types: approximately $2,500/mo.
What You Get for That Rent
Montvale is a quiet, family-friendly borough in northwest Bergen County known for its corporate offices and top-rated schools. The rental market includes garden-style apartments, townhome rentals, and newer developments. Most buildings include parking, and the Montvale Public Library and Memorial Park are community gathering spots.
New Jersey Is One of the Most Renter-Friendly States in the Country
Security Deposit Protection
New Jersey caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent. Landlords must hold your deposit in a separate interest-bearing account, and all accrued interest belongs to you. When you move out, your deposit must be returned within 30 days with an itemized statement of any deductions.
Anti-Eviction Protections
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act requires landlords to demonstrate just cause to terminate a tenancy, even at the end of a lease. This means you cannot be non-renewed without reason. Rent increases must also follow established notice requirements.
Required Disclosures
Before signing a lease, your landlord must provide a Truth in Renting statement explaining your rights, the required notice period for rent increases, and the terms under which your deposit is held. This disclosure is mandated by state law.
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Rent Security Deposit Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26)
Where Corporate Bergen Meets Suburban Comfort
A perspective on renting in Montvale from someone who knows the town inside and out.
Montvale occupies a unique position in the Bergen County rental market. It is far enough north to feel suburban and quiet, yet close enough to the Route 17 corridor to offer the corporate employment base that gives the area its economic stability. For renters, this balance means something specific: you get the space and peace of a northwest Bergen community without the premium price tag of towns closer to the city.
The rental stock here leans toward garden-style apartment complexes and townhome communities, with a handful of newer developments along Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue. Most buildings include at least one parking space, and the streets are wide, tree-lined, and quiet. The Montvale Public Library is a genuine community asset, and Memorial Park hosts youth sports and community gatherings throughout the year.
What makes Montvale especially attractive to renters is the schools. The Montvale Board of Education School District serves PK through 8 with strong academic ratings, and students feed into Pascack Hills High School, one of the top regional high schools in Bergen County. For families who are not ready to buy but want their children in excellent schools, Montvale offers a rare opportunity to rent into a top-tier district.
Scott Selleck has been guiding families into Montvale and surrounding communities for over 32 years. If you are considering renting in the Pascack Valley area, he can walk you through the available inventory, school options, and what to expect from the local market.
Commute Options for Renters
NJ Transit Bus
- → Route: Rockland Coaches express bus from Montvale Town Center Park & Ride
- → Destination: Port Authority Bus Terminal, Midtown Manhattan
- → Time: 50-65 minutes depending on traffic
- → Monthly pass: approximately $150-$200 depending on zone
- → Best for: Daily commuters to Midtown and lower Manhattan
NJ Transit Train (Park Ridge)
- → Route: Pascack Valley Line from Park Ridge station (5 min drive)
- → Destination: Hoboken Terminal / Penn Station via Secaucus
- → Time: 55-75 minutes total including drive & transfer
- → Monthly pass: approximately $200-$250
- → Best for: Commuters who prefer rail to bus
Driving
- → Route: Route 17 south to GWB, then into Manhattan
- → Time: 45-60 minutes to Midtown (off-peak), longer in rush hour
- → Tolls: GWB $16 cash, $13.75 E-ZPass off-peak (as of 2026)
- → Parking: Most Montvale rental buildings include at least one assigned space
Montvale is also accessible via the Garden State Parkway from Exit 172, and the Pascack Valley Line offers additional stops in nearby Hillsdale and Woodcliff Lake for commuters who want more schedule flexibility.
What It Actually Costs to Rent in Montvale
Monthly Rent
Median $2,500/mo
for a typical 1-2 bedroom apartment
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5 months' rent
by NJ law, held in escrow
Utilities
Electric $90-$140/mo
gas $40-$65/mo, water $35-$50/mo
Internet
Comcast and Verizon Fios
$50-$80/mo for standard plans
Parking
Most buildings include one space
Additional spaces $75-$150/mo
Pet Costs
Monthly pet rent $25-$50
Some buildings require a one-time pet deposit
All figures are estimates based on current Montvale market data as of June 2026. Actual costs vary by building, unit size, and lease terms.
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Leafy Bergen County village.
Woodcliff Lake
Upscale Bergen County suburb.
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Quiet residential near the state line.
Upper Saddle River
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