Moving to Englewood NJ: What You Need to Know in 2026

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, covering about 3.1 square miles with roughly 30,000 residents.

Before you start touring homes, here is a practical and honest guide to what daily life in Englewood is really like, from commuting and schools to dining and parks. For a deeper town profile, our guide to whether Englewood is a good place to live fills in the rest.

What Is the Vibe of Englewood?

Englewood has a genuine downtown core, which is rarer in Bergen County than you might think. Palisade Avenue and Van Brunt Street run through the heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and services. The result is a walkable, culturally rich town that does not feel like a single-type suburb.

The housing stock ranges from mid-century colonials and capes on tree-lined streets to newer construction and a growing condo and rental inventory near downtown. The city is genuinely diverse in demographics, income levels, and housing, which is one of its defining strengths.

How Is the Commute to New York City?

Englewood does not sit on the GWB corridor, so the commute is a bit longer than Fort Lee or Palisades Park, but it is still manageable for most commuters:

• Bus: NJ Transit Bus 166 reaches the Port Authority Bus Terminal in about 40 to 55 minutes during rush hour, with a convenient stop along Palisade Avenue.
• Driving: You are about 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge and 35 to 50 minutes from Midtown depending on traffic. The Route 4 corridor provides highway access, though it congests at peak hours.
• Train combo: Some residents drive to Fort Lee or Leonia for express bus service, or connect through Secaucus Junction to NJ Transit rail into Penn Station.

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

What Does It Cost to Live in Englewood in 2026?

Englewood's median home value sits around $609,000 to $678,000 depending on the source and property type, more affordable than Tenafly (median well above $800,000) or Englewood Cliffs. Single-family homes on the quieter streets tend to be mid-century colonials and capes, many updated with modern interiors.

The rental market is active too: an average two-bedroom runs $2,700 to $2,950 per month. For a deeper look at what your full monthly housing budget looks like, see our affordability guide.

Property taxes are the Bergen County reality: Englewood's effective rate is approximately 2.95 percent, roughly in line with the county average. On a home assessed at $650,000, that means an annual bill of about $9,000 to $10,000. Nearby towns vary, with Tenafly and Englewood Cliffs running higher and Palisades Park and Cliffside Park running lower. See our property tax breakdown for the full county comparison.

How Are the Schools?

The headline is the Dwight-Englewood School, one of the most well-known independent day schools in New Jersey, serving pre-K through 12th grade and consistently ranked among the top private schools in the state. Its reputation is a genuine draw for families moving to the city.

The Englewood Public School District includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and Dwight Morrow High School. If public school test scores are your priority, Fort Lee, Teaneck, and Tenafly have stronger districts. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best schools in Bergen County.

Where Do Locals Eat and Play?

Englewood's dining scene has been quietly building a reputation. The Palisade Avenue corridor is not a single-cuisine strip but a diverse collection of restaurants: CZEN blends Japanese and Korean influences for date nights, Antioch Restaurant serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites, and Zula brings a modern Mediterranean grill to East Palisade Avenue. For the full rundown, see our guide to the best restaurants in Englewood.

Outdoors, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is Englewood's standout: a 150-acre preserve on the western edge with hiking trails through forest and wetlands at the base of the Palisades. MacKay Park is the central green space with athletic fields, a playground, and open lawn. For more outdoor ideas, see our dog-friendly parks guide.

Who Is Englewood 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 appeals to professionals who do not mind a slightly longer commute in exchange for a neighborhood with genuine identity.

If you are weighing Englewood against Teaneck, Englewood Cliffs, or Fort Lee, I would love to help you compare the trade-offs and find the block that actually fits your life.