Best Places to Live: Top 100

For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community.

By Kate Ashford, Andrea Bartz, Jeff Cox, Asa Fitch, Stephen Gandel, Josh Hyatt, Rob Kelley, Kathleen Knight, Joe Light, Ismat Sarah Mangla, Sarah Max, Jennifer Merritt, Brad Nelson, Donna Rosato, Ingrid Tharasook

Octoberfest 2005

29 of 100

29. River Vale, N.J.

Population: 9,500
Median home price (2006): $657,126
Average property taxes (2005): $8,594

This Bergen County commuter town offers the sort of peaceful living with proximity to everything that people often wish for as they look to become suburbanites. Known as the "garden spot" of the Pascack Valley, River Vale is full of tree-lined streets and 8,000 acres of parkland and open space, part of it bordering the Lake Tappan Reservoir. The town is vigilant about keeping things clean and environmentally friendly. The town has a rich history - it was the site of the famous Baylor Dragoon Massacre in the Revolutionary War. The charm and serenity comes at a price: Most single family homes in River Vale top the $600,000 mark. -J.M.

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