Cresskill, in north east New Jersey, got its name from the watercress to be found in its streams, while the "kill" part refers to the river (or stream) that runs through it. It counts singer Mary J Blige among its most famous residents.
Cresskill was created in 1894, when it was incorporated as a borough of Bergen County, New Jersey, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature -- a year when 26 boroughs were formed in this county
Cresskill, in north east New Jersey, got its name from the watercress to be found in its streams, while the "kill" part refers to the river (or stream) that runs through it. It counts singer Mary J Blige among its most famous residents.
Cresskill was created in 1894, when it was incorporated as a borough of Bergen County, New Jersey, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature -- a year when 26 boroughs were formed in this county. Today the area has a population of around 8,650. Overwhelmingly, the population is educated, and, at 7.2%, the unemployment rate is below the national average, as is the crime rate, and the local job market is buoyant. It covers 2,074 square miles.
Moving to Cresskill
Looking for townhouses for rent in Cresskill, New Jersey? Whether you are looking for rental apts or anything else, be aware that the typical year in which properties in this neck of the woods were built in 1958, while the average number of rooms is seven, making homes in Cresskill bigger and older than both the state and national averages. You should also bear in mind that this part of the world has higher than average property occupancy rates, while properties are also overwhelmingly owner-occupied, at just over 80%. That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't some great property rentals in Cresskill to be had, if you look determinedly enough, from rental apts including some gorgeous premier apartments to three bedroom houses for rent. Whatever you need, whatever stage of your life you are currently at, it should be perfectly possible to find your dream rental home in Cresskill, whether that's an apartment or a gorgeous Colonial-style brick mansion.
The age of many Cresskill property rentals should not put you off -- these places were built to last! That said, it's always worth being as cautious as possible, and having in mind all the questions you need to ask your realtor before meeting him or her at the viewing. Remember to ask about local amenities, parking and transportation, how long the minimum let is and what you need to give as a down payment. You'll probably also want to ask if you can bring any of your own furniture, and, if you like the place, talk about the date when you could move in. Another important question of course, is how many of the utility bills are included in the monthly rent - generally speaking, you'd be lucky to find many places which have paid utilities included.
Unless you have your heart set on a particular part of Cresskill, see as many places in different parts of the area as you can before making your mind up. You'll probably find that viewings are much more likely Monday to Fridays rather than on weekends.
Then, once you've found the place you want to move into, you can expect credit and background checks to take place. A summary of your rental history may also be needed, as well as proof of employment and your ability to pay each month. While not every landlord will want to see these things every time, it's as well to be prepared. Oh, and you'll definitely need to pay at least a month's rent in advance as a deposit.
Neighborhoods in Cresskill
The river running through Cresskill divides the borough into roughly half, with the leafier, greener areas tending to be in the eastern side. To the west are the bigger roads, such as Jefferson, Brookside and Madison Avenues, alongside Second to Twelfth Streets. The Tenafly Nature Center lies just outside the far south eastern boundary.
Living in Cresskill
Cresskill has more than 37 miles of roadways, and County Route 505 and 501 go through the borough. In terms of public transportation, the New Jersey Transit 166 goes right to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Railroads have played their part in the history of the borough, by linking Cresskill with New York City and its customers -- so for example, they could access the chicken hatchery that, in 1897, was the world's largest. It was also the railroads that made Cresskill the home of Camp Merritt, where today a large obelisk memorial (known locally as "The Monument") remembers the million American soldiers sent overseas to fight in World War I.
From great restaurants to outdoor activities, the arts and culture, not to mention the beaches of New Jersey, Cresskill has something for everyone. Top eateries to try include Italian at Andiamo and sushi at Umeya. You'll soon get to know the best places to hang out.
Then, of course, there's also easy access to all that Manhattan has to offer, without the expense or additional hassle of living in the city, giving you the best of all possible worlds.
