
I have only lived in the village for 40 years so maybe I lack the long term perspective. but if you net it all out I don’t think Ridgewood is in decline and in some ways is better now than ever.
1. CBD has changed–no hardware stores or cute boutiques–many more coffee shops and restaurants. I would say its about a wash.
2. Parking is if anything a bit better than it was in years past. I do not see this as a major problem as CBD has thrived for many decades without a major parking facility.
3. Major Valley Hospital expansion was thwarted–a victory for residents and a validation of grassroots democracy in action.
4. Schools generally remain solid. People move here for the schools–Do you really think they are all “deluded fools buying into over-rated hype”. I don’t think so.
5. Ridgewood is not more congested now. Population has been stable since Lawns were developed. Not a fan of the new high density housing–it was a bad decision but it won’t fundamentally alter the character of the Village as many claim.
6. Graydon is not as popular. that’s because kids today have so many more options. I still enjoy driving past it.
7. There has always been political maneuvering in the village but the Aronsohn crowd seems to have lowered the level of civility and tolerance. Maybe that’s gone forever. in Trump’s America.
8. The Duck Pond bike path, the Library, the Band Shell and Van Neste park, The beautiful tree-lined streets and homes, The many nice people–new and old. These are things that endure and I continue to be grateful for them. I will leave someday for a warmer climate but for now I’m in no hurry.
Finally….a breath of fresh air!
Let’s accentuate the positive more often.
Thank You.
Major and secondary Road surfaces are a shambles even before the recent PSEG new tunneling projects on RIdgewood avenue and aside the Train station.No plan to fix our roads
outside of the inadequate pothole patch and scratch crews.N.PLEASANT and Fairway are a disgrace,RIDGEWOOD Avenue won’t make it through the fall despite PSEG repave process
which we know doesn’t return the street to a normal operating surface.People are moving out.
I agree with the sentiment of the post. Those who say it is “in decline” are just looking for things to complain about. If you are looking for things to complain about, in any situation, you will find them.
Ridgewood is going through growing pains. Many recent stories in the news point to the trend that people, of all ages, want to live in mini-cities. They want a walkable town, transportation to a nearby city, shopping restaurants and cultural events. That is where Ridgewood is heading. Not many towns in Bergen county are ready.
Delusional.
RW is a shell of its former glory.
It is no longer the desirable destination from those in the know.
it is just a magnet from those looking to escape the city and know of its reputation from their youth or from older folks who are recalling their own happy experiences many years ago.
Those who think RW is as good (or better) than it was in the past do not know the reality of RW of the past.
“Many recent stories in the news point to the trend that people, of all ages, want to live in mini-cities”
Stop believing some futurists imaginary utopia.
When you look at actual data and actual desires of people – by what they DO and not what they SAY they MAY want to do – you see that a “desire for walkable mini-cities” is not even close to reality.
my services are going to shit. it’s not just the same as it was.
Roads are a fractured mess with spit and glue hot patch..good for 15 minutes or so or a hard rain or frost in winter just washes the craters out..just larger deeper sink holes remain..cars tired suspensions being destroyed