Few people today could even imagine Oakland, New Jersey to have been a resort paradise. Nevertheless, from the early part of the 1900s right through to the 1960s, Oakland played host to various resorts located along the banks of the Ramapo River. It's claimed that even boxing greats such as Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson would frequent the resorts of Oakland, which is not far from the Pompton Lakes training camp.
The borough of Oakland is located in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The 2010 census estimated the population to be 12,754. The climate of Oakland is technically referred to as being humid mesothermal. In other words, it typically tends to be fairly hot and humid in the summer, with average highs in July of 86 degrees, and pretty cold in the winter, with average lows in January at around 24 degrees.
Moving to Oakland, NJ
How Much Will it Cost?
Renting in Oakland is somewhat on the costly side in comparison to the national average cost of renting. Nevertheless, with respect to gas, you can expect it to be just a smidgen higher than the national average.
When to Begin Your Search
You should allow at least four to six weeks to find a home for rent in Oakland. When's the best time to search? Any time of the year, really. The climate is pretty similar to that of the national average, though it may be wise to take your snowshoes during the winter months as the snowfall can become fairly dense.
What You Need
When you're out and about and searching for rental accommodation, you'll need to bring with you some info about your current income and employment. Further, it's wise to take a few solid references from previous landlords. Three should see you right. And don't forget to also bring enough cash to cover what's likely to be a month's rent as the deposit. Flashing the cash is always a good way to impress a prospective landlord when it comes to renting a place.
Places to Live in Oakland, NJ
There is a relatively decent choice of rentals available in Oakland, albeit far more in the way of houses as opposed to rental apartments. All the same, if you are looking for a rental home, it's simply a matter of searching to find the one that represents the most attractive option to you. Don't be tempted to rest on your laurels when you do find something you like. Instead, place the required deposit down on the table immediately to be sure that you'll get exactly what you want.
West Oakland Avenue: A cozy sort of place, located right on the banks of the Ramapo River, which makes it a good option if you're looking for the most tranquil area. West Oakland Avenue has a variety of apartments for rent that come in different sizes (and shapes). There's not much in the way of amenities nearby, so it will take a brisk and lengthy walk or a car journey to go get the daily newspaper.
Boulder Run: A plush area of Oakland, Boulder Run offers housing to those who are looking for a home for rent. There are four restaurants within very easy walking distance.
Park Drive: Park Drive makes for a quiet neighborhood. It's a good place to find rental houses as long as you enjoy the peaceful side of life. Local amenities? Not too much to go on, although there's a couple of restaurants very close by.
Stony Point Road: A lovely part of Oakland with some fine properties for rent. Again, Stony Point Road makes for a secluded affair. If you're keen to have a few local amenities in close vicinity to your abode, then you're not going to get much joy here. It's wise to go grab some groceries on the way back from work instead.
Calumet Ave: If you like outdoor expanses of water as opposed to tap water, this neighborhood's for you. Calumet Ave looks over a small expanse of water named Mirror Lake. For many, this makes for quintessential living. As for localized amenities, well, not much to be found here, other than a single gas station.
Life in Oakland
Getting Around
Getting around the area (and beyond) by car is not going to pose an issue. Major roads that pass through Oakland include Interstate 287, U.S. Route 208 and U.S. Route 202. There's a commuter bus service provided by Coach USA that journeys from Oakland to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. And on a limited basis, the New Jersey Transit Bus Service travels from Oakland via Ridgewood to Hackensack on line 752. The closest domestic airport to Oakland is Morristown Municipal Airport, which is some 33 miles distant. The Newark Liberty International Airport at Newark is the nearest international airport to Oakland, and is situated 42 miles away.
Keeping Busy
Ramapo Mountain State Forest is a 4,200-acre area of forest land which is used for recreational purposes. Among the activities you'll find at Ramapo Mountain State Forest are hiking and walking, fishing (including ice fishing), mountain biking, cross-country skiing, canoeing and hunting for critters. If these activities seem to be a tad over strenuous, then there are plenty of excellent dining opportunities to be had instead. Notable restaurants in Oakland include JD's Deli and Grille Restaurant over on Ramapo Valley Road. With great prices and a very friendly atmosphere, JD's Deli and Grille Restaurant makes for an excellent "pit stop" once you've exhausted yourself at Ramapo Mountain State Forest. For the pizza enthusiasts, Oakland Pizzeria Restaurant on Ramapo Valley Road is undoubtedly the place for you! Cenzino Restaurant on Ramapo Valley Road offers all things Italiano. The food is exquisite, the service top-notch, and the atmosphere is piping hot.
Like your baseball? Head on over to Yankee Stadium, on East 161 Street, Bronx, where you can witness one of the most successful franchises in professional baseball history - the New York Yankees - strut their stuff. For history lovers, The Hermitage at North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, makes for a thoroughly fascinating visit. It's now regarded as a national historic landmark and is said to have been one of the stopping points for General George Washington during the War of Independence.