Your Guide to Buying a Home in Paramus, NJ

Buying a Home in Paramus, New Jersey

Paramus is located in Bergen County

The Lenni Lenape Indians gave this land its name. One of the earliest written versions of the name in 1708 called it Parames. Later it was referred to as Perampsus. Experts on the Lenni Lenape language say that Perampsus means literally "where there is worthwhile or fertile land". Where there was fertile land, maize or corn was grown and wild turkeys were also found in abundance. Thus, the meaning of Paramus . . . "A fertile land where corn was grown attracting wild turkeys".

FACTS

Paramus occupies 10.573 square miles, 6,767 acres. It is the second largest among 70 municipalities in Bergen County.

There are over 7,892 homes in Paramus, of which 401 + are two or more unit structures. Minimum lot size is 75' x 125'. Homes range from $150,000 to $750,000. The population of Paramus is approximately 25,100. Median household income as of 1989 is $58,995 compared to the county average of $49,249. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990.

Paramus is in the center of Bergen County and lies astride Rt. 4, Rt. 17 and the Garden State Parkway; Exits 165 and 163 South; Exits 161,163 and 165 North. Surrounding towns are Ridgewood, Washington Twp., Rochelle Park, Maywood, Emerson, Oradell, River Edge and Fair Lawn. New York City is approximately 13 1/2 miles away.

The 1994 Tax Rate is $1.90 per $100.00 of assessed valuation. (revaluation in 1987).

Total businesses in Paramus is approximately 2,200

THE PARAMUS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Paramus Public Schools is a nationally recognized district and is composed of the following: 180 students in Early Childhood; four elementary schools accommodating 1,423 students in grades K-4; two middle schools of grades 5,6,7 and 8 with a combined enrollment of 1,137; and a senior high school with an enrollment of 1,083 students.

Paramus schools offers a comprehensive program that meets the diverse needs of youngsters. Specialists are on the staff in the fields of art, vocal and instrumental music, physical education, computers, enrichment, speech, learning disabilities, and supplemental instruction. Special education classes for children with learning disabilities are being conducted in the system.

The policy-making body of the Paramus Public Schools is the nine member Board of Education which serves without pay and is elected by the voters for three-year terms.

The Paramus Community School for Adult and Continuing Education brings to this municipality not only an enlarged conception of the Adult School, but a new dedication to community services. Community School programs include: Adult Program (days and evenings); Young People's Workshops (day classes for pre-schoolers, elementary and middle school children); and School-Age Child Care (before and after school care program for elementary children of working families).

The Paramus Public Library provides special services and programs for children and adults. There's Lots O' Tots, You Two, Storytimes, CIRCLE programs, reflecting the residents' interests and concerns are planned. Program schedules are available.

The combined libraries house 104,000 volumes. Videocassettes, CD's, Books-on-Tape, newspapers, magazines, microforms, foreign language materials, and an extensive collection of business services are available. Circulation services are fully automated. On-line computers give residents access to over 4 million volumes at 67 area libraries. Also provide the public with computer for Internet access.

POINTS OF INTEREST

The Bergen Museum of Art & Science, 327 E. Ridgewood Avenue, is a non-profit, privately supported institution. It has continually changing exhibitions of paintings, graphics, sculpture and photography, featuring prominent New Jersey artists and occasionally highlighting the work of artists of international reputation.

Lectures, seminars, demonstrations, workshops, music and special programs are a regular part of the museum calendar.

The science related exhibits include the Hackensack and Dwarskill Mastodons. The permanent collection holds a large selection of fossils, minerals and rock specimens artifacts from northern New Jersey Indians, bird specimens from Bergen County, and a collection of tools from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. There is a Nature Room with live fish, frogs, turtles, snakes and plants. Features monthly, concerts by prominent performers.

The New Jersey Children's Museum is located at 599 Industrial Avenue. The New Jersey Children's Museum is an interactive play and learning center where children and adults can learn about the world and have a great time together.

The Museum is designed for children from 1 to 8, but children of all ages will enjoy their visit. All exhibits are child friendly. Touching everything is very much encouraged. And we're huge! Fifteen thousand square feet of carpeted exhibit space is brightly decorated and divided into thirty different rooms, each with its own unique and exciting theme.

The emphasis is on fun and learning. Every room has something for your child to play with, hold, and turn on and off. Every exhibit is fascinating, educational, interactive, and fun for adults too!

The Bergen Community College, offers two-year associate degrees and one-year certificates in more than 70 career and transfer programs. Students may choose from day and evening courses in business, social sciences, communication arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, allied health and physical education. A variety of non-credit programs are also offered through the division of continuing education.