Living in Palisades Park, you might hear stories like these.

"We moved to Tenafly for the kids' school."

"I heard they bought a house in Closter."

"Alpine is like a different world."

In fact, within the Korean community in Bergen County, it's not uncommon for families to move to nearby cities in search of larger homes and better educational environments after accumulating some wealth.

This is largely due to the presence of areas that offer both convenient commuting to Manhattan and excellent safety and school districts. While Palisades Park remains the center of Korean life, it is surrounded by some of the most desirable residential areas in New Jersey.

The most frequently mentioned area is Tenafly. Located just 15 minutes from Palisades Park, it is well-regarded among Korean parents for its educational environment.

Tenafly Public Schools consistently rank among the top public school districts in New Jersey. Notably, Tenafly High School offers over 20 AP courses and has a very high college admission rate. Many graduates go on to attend prestigious universities, including Ivy League schools, and the district is known for its strong STEM education and arts programs.

Home prices have steadily increased in recent years. The median sale price for single-family homes is approximately $1.3 million to $1.7 million, and remodeled homes often sell for between $1.8 million and $2.5 million. New large homes can easily exceed $3 million. Property taxes can also be significant, often ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 or more annually, depending on the home price.

The second area is Closter.

Closter is located slightly north of Tenafly but has a very similar atmosphere.

It features many single-family homes with quiet woods and spacious lots, making it a highly satisfying place for families to live.

The educational environment is also excellent. Closter Public Schools serve the elementary and middle schools, while high school students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. This school is also rated among the best public high schools in New Jersey, with high SAT scores and college admission rates.

The median price for single-family homes in Closter is around $1.2 million to $1.6 million.

Popular new homes often exceed $2 million, and luxury homes with large lots and swimming pools frequently sell for over $2.5 million.

The third area is Englewood Cliffs.

This city is situated on the cliffs above the Hudson River, offering excellent access to Manhattan, and is home to many corporate executives and professionals. In some areas, you can see the Manhattan skyline at a glance.

Education is provided by the Englewood Cliffs School District and Northern Valley Regional High School at Englewood Cliffs. This district is also recognized as having one of the top public education systems in Bergen County.

Home prices are substantial. Typical single-family homes range from $1.8 million to $2.5 million, while luxury estates with Hudson River views can sell for $4 million to $7 million or more. It is one of the premium residential areas in northern New Jersey.

And the area often referred to as Bergen County's most affluent is Alpine.

This city is frequently mentioned in discussions of affluent areas across the United States. It is known to be home to famous businesspeople, finance professionals, and sports stars.

The spacing between homes is wide, and most properties feature large gates and long driveways.

Education is provided by the small Alpine Public School, followed by high school at Tenafly Public Schools. The educational standards are also rated among the highest in New Jersey.

Home prices are on a different scale altogether. The median home price is around $3 million to $4.5 million, while large estates can range from $8 million to over $15 million. Some ultra-luxury listings exceed $20 million. Property taxes can also be substantial, with some homes having annual taxes of tens of thousands to over $100,000.

However, this does not diminish the value of Palisades Park.

Palisades Park remains the center of Korean life in New Jersey. Along Broad Avenue, you'll find a concentration of Korean restaurants, hospitals, tutoring centers, grocery stores, and cafes, and commuting to Manhattan is convenient via New Jersey Transit bus routes.

Recently, the market atmosphere has changed with an increase in new duplexes and luxury townhouses. Typical duplexes are priced around $1.1 million to $1.5 million, while well-located and high-end new constructions often exceed $1.6 million. High-end condos are also increasingly selling for over $800,000 to $1 million.

Ultimately, the real estate market in Bergen County is not determined solely by the size of the homes. Factors such as school districts, commuting environments, access to Manhattan, safety, and long-term asset value are all evaluated together.

I believe one of the main reasons this area has long been regarded as the most popular residential area in New Jersey is that all these options are within a 20-minute drive.