Why These Two New Jersey Suburbs Are The Best Mid-Sized Places To Live Without A Car
It is hard to imagine a calm, convenient life in the suburbs without a car. You might have access to a coffee shop nearby, but getting groceries could mean a long trip across busy roads or multiple bus rides. A quick doctor’s appointment can turn into an exhausting part of the day, and even small errands start feeling like something you need to plan ahead for. That setup works until driving becomes too stressful, too expensive, or simply not worth the hassle anymore.
That is what makes Cliffside Park and Fort Lee different. The two Bergen County suburbs recently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on AARP’s list of the best mid-sized communities for older adults, though the appeal is not limited to retirees. Daily life feels simpler here. Grocery stores, restaurants, parks, apartments, and public transit are all close together instead of spread across town. Most residents still drive, but life does not become difficult without a car. You can walk to essentials, run errands, and move through the day without every trip feeling exhausting.
Daily Life Comes First
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Mr. Matté
The biggest advantage Cliffside Park and Fort Lee have is simple: daily life stays close together. Grocery stores, restaurants, parks, shops, and services are within walking distance for many residents. Cliffside Park’s Anderson Avenue keeps many daily essentials along a single walkable corridor. Fort Lee has a denser layout where apartments, local shops, parks, and transit options are close together, which makes moving between them easier without long gaps or extra travel.
Residents can run errands, grab dinner, or catch a bus without having to build the entire day around driving. That may sound basic, but many American suburbs still separate homes and necessities with wide roads, long distances, and sidewalks that seem like an afterthought.
These Suburbs Have City Habits
Cliffside Park and Fort Lee lie across the Hudson River from Manhattan, but their appeal goes beyond proximity to New York City. That access helps, especially with frequent bus routes into the city for work, medical visits, entertainment, and family trips.
The real strength comes from how much daily life works locally before anyone even crosses the river. AARP’s ranking highlights livability for older adults, but the advantage extends further. Households with one car, younger renters, remote workers, and students all benefit from the same setup. Life feels simpler when basic errands do not depend on planning around a vehicle.
The Hudson River Setting Helps
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Both towns lie near the Hudson River, with access to parks, views, and waterfront areas that make walking feel more natural and less like a task. Fort Lee Historic Park gives Fort Lee a clear outdoor focal point, while Cliffside Park benefits from its position near the Palisades and nearby riverfront paths.
That access matters because, aside from running errands, people also need space to move, breathe, pause, and reset. A trip to a store covers a need, but a walk with a view changes how a neighborhood feels.