September 6, 2009

Nation's Most-Expensive ZIP Codes 2009: Alpine NJ!


Forbes magazine released their list of the most expensive zip codes in America, and the neghborhood with the most expensive real estate is a little town named Alpine in New Jersey, zip code 07620.

Alpine NJ may be little-known to most, but anyone who keeps track of hip-hop and other showbiz news will know Alpine is a mecca for top Black celebrities, from Mary J Blige to Ll Cool J to Damon Dash to Jay-Z to Stevie Wonder to Chris Rock, who has talked about the neighborhood in his comedy routines. Also anyone who used to listen to Wendy Williams' radio show will be well familiar with the nation's most expensive zip code.

For more names of the top cities on the list, including several near me in Manhattan, check the article below.

Nation's Most-Expensive ZIP Codes 2009: Alpine New Jersey!
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Beverly Hills 90210? That's so '90s. If you're looking for a pricey place to hang these days, try Alpine 07620. The tiny New Jersey town ranked No. 1 this year on the Forbes.com list of the nation's most expensive zip codes, with a median price of $4.14 million for one of its luxurious mansions.

Nation's Most-Expensive ZIP Codes 2009: Alpine New Jersey!

Posted at September 6, 2009 4:15 AM
Comments

you will like this

Posted by: naru at September 6, 2009 5:47 AM

Ain't that interesting

Posted by: David Brasmer at September 6, 2009 6:58 AM

Who knew?Such a find!

Posted by: minna dew at September 6, 2009 7:21 AM

Nice homes, but if I had those kind of assets I wouldn't want to live in NJ, no offense to the nice people there.

Posted by: alur at September 6, 2009 7:26 AM

I paid $12m for a nice house in Alpine in June this year. Believe me, its the place to be. Not like the rest of NJ. Close to NY and lovely people out here!

Posted by: Dz at September 6, 2009 7:39 AM

Some of those houses would go for well under a million anywhere else. They pay to be close to NYC.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:18 AM

Ha. Try Bronxville, NY or Scarsdale

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:30 AM

what about new brunswick?

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:45 AM

I love it! I'm all for big big big money
But I prefer smaller neighborhoods and houses where people all know each other and have keys to each others' houses.
But HEY! It's still a free country.
live it up Jersey!

Posted by: woo hooo at September 6, 2009 8:49 AM

dz is a liar he did not pay $12 m what a bs artist

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:59 AM

dz is a liar he did not pay $12 m what a bs artist

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:59 AM

Wow! I wish I could afford these houses. Man o man what do these people do for a living?! I work 2 jobs, one full time and one part time so I work 7 days a week just to pay my bills off. Because I am not able to find a decent paying job like I use to have. :(

These houses are beautiful! And I have cousins from NJ and they love it there!

Posted by: wishinIhadsome at September 6, 2009 9:24 AM

Great video, but 90% of the homes shown are actuall in Cresskill, NJ not Alpine

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 9:43 AM

The video is great but no different from where I live in Montville, NJ - Morris County. Many beautiful areas there with huge and expensive homes. The school system is great and the people are pretty much down to earth. Rather live in Montville!!!!!!! AND, by the way, Jersey is a great place to live. Cut the remarks on Jersey, people. Check out Morris County and tell me it is not the perfect place to live!!!!!!

Posted by: Rose Ann at September 6, 2009 9:55 AM

come to RHODE ISLAND, newport..narragansett...all million dollar homes right on the water, i would have to think that if a house had the ocean as there back yard, it would deff be a better place to live than if you did not live near the water, common now water front property is worth the most

Posted by: rhodeislandbabe at September 6, 2009 10:00 AM

Just looking at these "cardboard palaces" makes me laugh. The only reason this place is so expensive is because of the proximity to NYC. Take a look at at the lot sizes vs. the size of the house and the quality of construction. Check out the landscape...see any trees that are older than a couple years? No. This is gauche "new money" at it's very worst. Overpriced, overwrought homes on 1 acre subdivided lots. What a joke.

While there are a few homes that appear to have a decent bit of land on them, none face any quality water and the worst offense, they are *ALL* quite visible from the main roads. I can imagine in many of these "McMansions" you can peer out your window and see right into your neighbor's bedroom.

A quality estate should be shielded with walls or fences and a gate. Landscaping should be clearly older than just a few years (usually much older) and well maintained. The main house should be at the end of a long winding drive and is preferably NOT visible from the roadway. Ideally, it would face quality water. There should be a carriage house (not a "snout" garage) and a second guest house. There should be large covered patios and verandas for outdoor relaxation. Stables would be optional, but preferred. Under no circumstances would you be able to look out of a window and see your neighbor.

What you are seeing here are junk, subdivision homes on steroids, owned by people who don't know any better. They would have been better off class wise, staying with an apartment in the City or better yet, getting further away and buying a true estate for their family. These houses (I am sure they call them "LUGzury homes") are meant to be used and cast off as the whims of fortune dictate.

How sad.


Posted by: ScoobyDooby at September 6, 2009 10:14 AM

New Jersey also has the poorest city in America,,, its called Camden, NJ.

Posted by: Julio at September 6, 2009 10:19 AM

"Stables would be optional, but preferred"

why do you have to have horses to live comfortably? whats a horse got to do with anything? im sure theres plenty of people who dont want to take care of horses...so they dont.

Posted by: bobbo at September 6, 2009 10:39 AM

Have these people lost their minds!? I have lived in Aspen Co, been to all the "rich & glitzy" places in this country and I can think of a million other things I can do with my money rather than put it all into such ugly blight on such beautiful landscapes. I am not impressed -

Posted by: Angela at September 6, 2009 10:45 AM

I'll take a sucker any day....

Posted by: got taste? at September 6, 2009 10:46 AM

Of course they pay to live near NYC...duh! People in CA pay a lot to leave near Hollywood because thats where they work and make the big bucks.....
I used to live near there, in Closter and it's beautiful but now am in NYC...I'd rather be where it's at that than close to it.

Posted by: c at September 6, 2009 10:58 AM

Of course they pay to live near NYC...duh! People in CA pay a lot to leave near Hollywood because thats where they work and make the big bucks.....
I used to live near there, in Closter and it's beautiful but now am in NYC...I'd rather be where it's at that than close to it.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 10:59 AM

Garbage!! We have Gables by the sea here in Miami.And Coco Plum and Star Island.Not those woodsheds in NJ where the smells change with the wind.This is paradise!Home to many celebrities and athletes. Oh,I forgot to mention Fischer Island.

Posted by: carlosc at September 6, 2009 11:00 AM

After watching the video I know why black Celebs pay millions to live there. Nobody in their right mind would spend that much money to live in a dump.Dumb bluegums!!!

Posted by: clo at September 6, 2009 11:08 AM

Just another example of the herd mentality.... the world is 99% sheep.... bbbbaaaahhhhhh.... bbbbbbaaaahhhhhhhh... Just to compare and contrast..... How about 10 acres of tree lined, wonderful bermuda grass pasture, with a 1 1/2 acre pond full of Large Mouth Bass, Blue-Gill, and Catfish, private rock road, newly built two bedroom 1400 sq ft. custom house w 10 ft ceilings, and 1200 sq ft kennel building - w central air conditioning, large fenced paddocks for my dogs, covered outdoor runs, 16X24 metal barn, a kubota tractor w/bush-hog, box blade, and pond scoop. Only 45 minutes from North Dallas/Plano - a beautiful country drive to "the big city" . All this for under $200k, including the 10 acres - you don't want to know how little the acreage cost.... less than $2k per acre!!! It's private, quiet, and beautiful..... I bought the land and built the house, kennel, etc. in 1997-1998.

I don't see how people can spend millions to live in fancy cracker boxes so close to each other that everytime you look out a window someone is looking back at you.... Like they say.... "Nowhere but Texas!!"

Posted by: Harry at September 6, 2009 11:19 AM

Just another example of the herd mentality.... the world is 99% sheep.... bbbbaaaahhhhhh.... bbbbbbaaaahhhhhhhh... Just to compare and contrast..... How about 10 acres of tree lined, wonderful bermuda grass pasture, with a 1 1/2 acre pond full of Large Mouth Bass, Blue-Gill, and Catfish, private rock road, newly built two bedroom 1400 sq ft. custom house w 10 ft ceilings, and 1200 sq ft kennel building - w central air conditioning, large fenced paddocks for my dogs, covered outdoor runs, 16X24 metal barn, a kubota tractor w/bush-hog, box blade, and pond scoop. Only 45 minutes from North Dallas/Plano - a beautiful country drive to "the big city" . All this for under $200k, including the 10 acres - you don't want to know how little the acreage cost.... less than $2k per acre!!! It's private, quiet, and beautiful..... I bought the land and built the house, kennel, etc. in 1997-1998.

I don't see how people can spend millions to live in fancy cracker boxes so close to each other that everytime you look out a window someone is looking back at you.... Like they say.... "Nowhere but Texas!!"

Posted by: Harry at September 6, 2009 11:20 AM

Makes alota sense...I mean Jersey is like the second Isreal..."Jersey Jews" as I call them, they have alota money so it makes sense those fuckin' goofy lookin' big nose bastards would have houses like this...

Posted by: Who cares... at September 6, 2009 11:27 AM

Nice but dull, beach's with girls not guidos!

Posted by: STEVE LANG at September 6, 2009 11:34 AM

It looks horribly depressing. Who would want to live that far out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing around you? Nothing like razing a bunch of farmland to build monuments to your egos.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 11:42 AM

these are a joke..try North Street Greenwich Connecticut..This is where you find Estates

Posted by: Donald at September 6, 2009 11:47 AM

Hmmm. So, I'd like to know how many of these residents have been to a third world country to see "the mansions" those people live in? How many of residents would pay to build an orphanage for children who live on the streets and sleep on the ground? That would be a video to see...one with compassion.

Posted by: carol at September 6, 2009 12:04 PM

Where I come from. These houses would NOT cost close to 1 million!

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 12:11 PM

Did anyone notice that fractured English subtitles? As the old saying goes....In real estate the three most important things to remember are LOCATION, LOCATION & LOCATION!

Posted by: Stewart at September 6, 2009 12:23 PM

It's expensive because greedy local estate agents have inflated the prices to cash in on the demand from celebs.Try living here in London if you want to see what a real rip-off is all about!

Posted by: Carlo at September 6, 2009 12:23 PM

Im not surprised @ this bc the Cali market is suffering very very badly.

NJ has been homes to millionaires for yrs bc it it close to NY.


@scooby
That is YOUR OPINION. Not all mansions/estate have to be as you have written. With development, many old homes are bought & renovated; their old tress cut down to make way for the pool.

Posted by: lilkunta at September 6, 2009 12:24 PM

I suppose if you have a small penis you've got to have something to brag about. Not impressed.

Posted by: gonzo at September 6, 2009 12:30 PM

@scooby
Y ahve stables if u dont ride horses? & what is wrong w seeing your neighbor? Different communities are built in difernet ways.

@harry
If you're a TX based millionaire(most likely from oil) but many ppl live in NJ or Calu bc that is where there work is based. If your's a music exec, y live in TX & have the expense of weekly flights to NY, when you could just live in NJ & have a 20min commute?

@who cares: Your religious hatred only makes you & your parent look like *ssholes!

Posted by: Who cares... at September 6, 2009 11:27 AM
Makes alota sense...I mean Jersey is like the second Isreal..."Jersey Jews" as I call them, they have alota money so it makes sense those fuckin' goofy lookin' big nose bastards would have houses like this...

Posted by: lilkunta at September 6, 2009 12:33 PM

People are so jealous that's nuts.
And Harry you're so hateful and ignorant, you can't even spell.

Posted by: Sally at September 6, 2009 12:39 PM

A Gulf to Bay view on Siesta Key near movie stars and the crystal white sands of Siesta Beach can still be bought for under $300,000 and from there you can board a yacht for $45 a person with Siesta Key Sailing so I think Siesta Key is the best secret in the USA !

Posted by: Jan at September 6, 2009 12:40 PM

That house partially shown before the video sure doesn't look like anything in a high priced neighborhood! Our neighborhood has homes in the $350 - $500 price range, no two exactly alike, and have class and are well built. No stables, or l2 car garages but we get by. And we're in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, which has just about everything one can want and in an hour and a half one way is the coast and the other way the mountains. Not a bad place to live! All a zip code means to me is it directs my mail to me.

Yes, many of the New Jersey people communute into New York, but I bet when you actually live that close and are surrounded by affluence at home, one wouldn't be going into New York City very often. I've visited it, thoroughly enjoyed it, but wouldn't want to live in or close to it.

Posted by: Debra Harris at September 6, 2009 1:00 PM

Have you people not got anything of real concern and depth to talk about? Who cares who lives where, in what, or for how much money? It's
not what makes for decent people and the kind of thing that makes the real world go around.

Posted by: Chas at September 6, 2009 1:09 PM

The last time I was in New Jersey, there were gunshots in the motel.

Posted by: Wes at September 6, 2009 1:31 PM

People will continue being deceived by artificial bubbles and illusions until they realize it was all 'paper wealth' that never was. Real estate infiltrated by Wall Street produces such artifically-inflated and over-valued illusions.

Most Wall Street executives live in such neighborhoods in New Jersey and Connecticut bordering NY. They are basically hurriedly erected structures built at the peak of the bubble era. Homes built in tiny lots nowhere near waterfronts or leafy enclaves, but in the middle of dry rocks, then tagged with a Wall-Street-inflated value of $ 4.14 million. I don't buy such illusions.

Posted by: Job at September 6, 2009 1:38 PM

Dull and boring, where are the trees? Has anyone been to Kansas City? America's best kept secret? In this video I don't see any trees. Kansas City is FULL of trees, grandiose trees. I highly recommend driving down Ward Parkway and getting a glimpse of what true sophistication and senorial ambience is all about. And maybe the prices are one fifth of what most homes in Alpine or California are. Kansas City rocks!!!

Posted by: Jose Escobedo at September 6, 2009 1:38 PM

You guys have no idea Alpine is very beautiful and you want to talk about new homes? there are 100 year old homes there that video does not do alpine justice? And expensive homes on the beach, are you kidding me, New Jersey has 40 plus beaches with thousands of million dollar homes right on the beach gorgous towns. dont put NJ down if you never been here...

Posted by: Fares at September 6, 2009 1:49 PM

Wow, a lot of dumb and racist comments here! I guess people will use any excuse to show their ignorance about jews and black ppl. And you can't really judge Alpine by that little amateur video, there's much more to it than that.

Not saying I'd live there, I'd never pay that much to live anywhere, but Alpine is a perfectly fine town, not that different from many other affluent neighborhoods near NY.. not worth all this hate!

Posted by: humble jerseyite at September 6, 2009 1:56 PM

Interesting post... while homes are beautiful... I would make totally different choices with $4 mil... more land, smaller, but more sophisticated and modern house...

I also noticed people here drive pretty regular cars... I'd like to see a hot italian ride parked in front of my modern house. And a Japanese garden... I could do all of it on $4 mil

Posted by: Monica at September 6, 2009 2:03 PM

Interesting post... while homes are beautiful... I would make totally different choices with $4 mil... more land, smaller, but more sophisticated and modern house...

I also noticed people here drive pretty regular cars... I'd like to see a hot italian ride parked in front of my modern house. And a Japanese garden... I could do all of it on $4 mil

Posted by: Monica at September 6, 2009 2:03 PM

hame, shame, shame. I don't care a rats a** as to where the rich are.

Posted by: char at September 6, 2009 2:05 PM

What a horrible use of the English language. This neighborhood looks like any other upper class neighborhood in the United States, and New Jersey is far from my first pick.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 2:06 PM

WHO WANTS TO LIVE SURROUNDED BY BLACK PEOPLE???
NOT ME! NOT ANY ARGENTINE PERSON!!!

Posted by: Argentine Girl at September 6, 2009 2:13 PM

can i get in the deal? broke and from the hood..

Posted by: blackfox at September 6, 2009 2:22 PM

Ok, so this is the most expensive, so where is no. 2, no. 3, no 4... ?

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 2:25 PM

They have lost their minds Im from Evans,Ga and houses around here that cost around a Million also come with atlease 10 acres. O and the weather is way better down here to!

Posted by: Jeff at September 6, 2009 2:26 PM

nice houses but what the heck is the point of living out in the country when you dont work the land as a farmer or enviromentalist of some kind. In ten years there will be more houses etc, so some builds further out to "avoid all that traffic?" Stay in the damned city and stop this b.s. fantasy living. its taking up land so damned uselessly

Posted by: gordo at September 6, 2009 2:35 PM

Oh my God, you can actually just see the homes like that from the road???? What kind of people can live like that??? How awful, I think I'd rather live in a tent than have to live 5 feet from the road and from my neighbor. That's exactly how people go crazy and kill/hurt other people, living like that. Plus it's freezing. You could pay me a million dollars a year and I wouldn't/couldn't live like that.

Posted by: Andy Anderson at September 6, 2009 2:44 PM

The poorest city in the US ia actually in SD, the per capita income is just over 5K.This is a neighborhood full of the uber-rich and celebrities who need to be close to NYC for a reason.
I lived in Hunderdon County, NJ for almost 10 years and it is one of the most beautiful parts of our country. Just because you flew through Newark airport, don't pretend like you know anything about NJ.

Posted by: Charleygirl at September 6, 2009 2:52 PM

Argentine Girl said, "WHO WANTS TO LIVE SURROUNDED BY BLACK PEOPLE???
NOT ME! NOT ANY ARGENTINE PERSON!!!"

Silly girl, yep, all you Argentines want to do is sleep with powerful men for money knowing he has a wife and kids at home.

And by the way, trust me, a whole lot of your country women are sleeping with all kinds of black men on vacation in and around Argentina, trust me, I know that for a fact. They do things that American women wouldnt think of doing for about $50 us, I wonder how they can continue to keep their bowels intact after some of the things they do.

Get a life you worthless racist clown!!!

Posted by: Business owner in Texas at September 6, 2009 3:02 PM

And another thing Argentine girl, I just looked at the article on the Daily News site and it states that the town is 80%white which further supports my disgnation of you as a walking talking racist piece of animal waste!!! You and the Jacka$$ who said something about Jews earlier in the feedback.

Posted by: John at September 6, 2009 3:08 PM

Argentine girl you can't even afford to live in a masion

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 3:31 PM

Argentine girl, I( really hope you are not from Argentina. I live in texas and have an a family from agentina as my neighbor and they don't share your racist views. America is a land of oppotunity. If you don't like it please go back to argentina so you can live with your people.

Posted by: william at September 6, 2009 3:35 PM

Take the article for face value. Obviously there are many towns in NJ where you can find beautiful homes, good schools and people with values. Alpine just has the most expensive zip code. What about Ridgewood, Montclair, Bernardsville and how about Tenafly, which is closer to NYC?

Posted by: barbara at September 6, 2009 3:35 PM

Argentina girl don't wants to live next to black people. Trust me she will do them a favor.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 3:38 PM

Garage.
You would think people in an expensive negihborhood would have better taste in homes.

All I see is people with too much money being ripped off by developers and no taste in design.

Posted by: kevin at September 6, 2009 3:41 PM

In response to the racist "JEW" remark...Alpine has Jews, but there are plenty of Italians and Asians. Ignorant people such as yourself might want to read the statistics. JEWS are survivors.. Jews are smart.. Whoever you are, how many Nobel Prizes and contributions have your people made?? You are an embarassment. Go back to your racist hole.

Posted by: barbara at September 6, 2009 3:42 PM

I am a black man went to argentina for vacation 2006. I had girls like you trying to get twenty dollars for sexual service but being a religous and family man i could not indulge in such services. I guest the never noticed i was black. May god forgive you, set your mind so you can enjoy thr fruits of your labor

Posted by: william at September 6, 2009 3:42 PM

I may be going to argentina for vacation soon
thanks to you Argintine girl.
hopefully I can get a dozen for my dime

Posted by: ralp at September 6, 2009 3:48 PM

I may be going to argentina for vacation soon
thanks to you Argintine girl.
hopefully I can get a dozen girls for my dime

Posted by: ralp at September 6, 2009 3:48 PM

I'll keep my 303k condo in Rehoboth Beach DE

Posted by: troy at September 6, 2009 3:57 PM

im in florida in a nice 4 bedroom house pay 600 a month and live near the greatest and whitest beaches in florida and get a free f-18 air show every tuesday and wed so all of you snodnose people stuff it.

Posted by: bo at September 6, 2009 4:13 PM

Listen to the sound track accompanying this tour. I think their punching holes through the absurdity.
No sidewalks, No community, No home. Love doesn’t live here.

Posted by: Johnny bee good at September 6, 2009 4:17 PM

There is nothing wrong with black people,my neighbours are black with my white family in the centre of them

Posted by: nancy at September 6, 2009 4:20 PM

nothing wrong with black people

Posted by: nancy at September 6, 2009 4:22 PM

Big Whoop!!!! Maybe they're all Bernie's friends and "madoff" with the money! Looks like a lot of wasted space to me, but then, maybe some people don't like to see alot of each other at home.

Posted by: Barb at September 6, 2009 4:36 PM

Cali > New Jersey. Parts of San diego, houses go for $18 million a pop. There are so many that they break them into 6 or 7 zip codes. Those houses in the vid don't even compare to Orange County california. And if you disagree it's because you've never been to these parts of California

Posted by: johnny at September 6, 2009 4:42 PM

Poor video, the outhouses were a nice touch. This has to be a joke. Not much class for so much money.

Posted by: Liz at September 6, 2009 4:46 PM

I paid $195,000 for my town house...in Alpine, NJ? noooo but Worcester, MA, only 4 hours from Manhattan.

Posted by: Cristobal at September 6, 2009 4:49 PM

i agree, what about Scarsdale, NY? or Boca Raton, FL?

Posted by: sg at September 6, 2009 4:58 PM

Do you notice the noveau riche black folks are fond of showing their trophy but never look back to the old community or contributed much with the exception of Oprah Winfrey and yet they expect white establishment to lift up minority. Why is this so ? If President Barack Obama should start his lecture to school children about the great value of giving back once they are successful it would really be his greatest speech. "Ask not what the government can give instead ask what rich Black Folks can do to their brothers and sisters in black community ?

Posted by: matangga45 at September 6, 2009 5:10 PM

I lived in New Jersey for almost 30 years and I never heard of Alpine.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 5:11 PM

Hey, if Jersey's good enough for Travolta and Springsteen, it's good enough for me!!!

Posted by: Bartholomew Barnstable at September 6, 2009 5:14 PM


I am glad to see people do well. But the price of the house has no value to me nor do their names impress me. What is important is
people and their value is more important then the price of a home.

Posted by: vetranmike at September 6, 2009 5:20 PM

BEAUTIFUL!!! But I like ACREAGE... I would like the same houses on bigger lots... Yes, I am "green-with-envy", YET very proud of the brothers and sisters that can afford to live there. If I were wealthy... I would choose a big house, with tennis courts, and a private golf course on the LAKE TAHOE --- Or BUST! (... in 2004, that house was $39,000,000.00!!!!!).

Posted by: California Girl at September 6, 2009 5:56 PM

I'm blown away by the jealousy I see here. May the Lord bless you... you need it.

Posted by: Shocked at September 6, 2009 6:07 PM

who said that these home are where the black people live.???? it has nothing to do with race. if you want to live in nice homes in NJ, try Bergen County, Monmouth County.

Posted by: jerseygirl at September 6, 2009 6:14 PM

who said that these home are where the black people live.???? it has nothing to do with race. if you want to live in nice homes in NJ, try Bergen County, Monmouth County.

Posted by: jerseygirl at September 6, 2009 6:15 PM

who said that these home are where the black people live.???? it has nothing to do with race. if you want to live in nice homes in NJ, try Bergen County, Monmouth County.

Posted by: anonymous at September 6, 2009 6:15 PM

Nice homes, and with due respect to the people of NJ but if had had all that money i would never want to live in NJ.
South Fla, palm beach much better with the ocean in my back yard.:)

Posted by: MIKE at September 6, 2009 6:16 PM

Wowie. I bet everyone in those Mansions have the most perfect life.

Right?

Posted by: Joanne at September 6, 2009 6:26 PM

Very pretty but not one to my taste. Ah well, I can knock it down and build as I please. Then again, I want to live on the beach. Oh dearie me, decisions, decisions. Now, how much to rent that little port-a-potty featured early on while I'm lookin'! Keep laughin' - it's New Dirty, oops, I mean, New Jersey...after all

Posted by: Dementd_Unicorn at September 6, 2009 7:08 PM

MANY PEOPLE PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO RENT AND APARTMENT IN NYC. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST IN NYC.MOST LIKELY YOU WILL PROBALY END UP RENTING A ROOM FROM SOMONE WHO OWNS AND LIVES IN A BROWNSTONE APARTMENT. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST):LIVING IN NYC,YOU BETTER GET A SECOND JOB.THERE IS AN GLUT OF SO-CALLED ARTIST LIVING IN NYC.YOU BE LUCKY IF YOU HAVE ANY MONEY LET TO DO YOUR LAUNDRY.

Posted by: GLORIA at September 6, 2009 7:19 PM

MANY PEOPLE PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO RENT AND APARTMENT IN NYC. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST IN NYC.MOST LIKELY YOU WILL PROBALY END UP RENTING A ROOM FROM SOMONE WHO OWNS AND LIVES IN A BROWNSTONE APARTMENT. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST):LIVING IN NYC,YOU BETTER GET A SECOND JOB.THERE IS AN GLUT OF SO-CALLED ARTIST LIVING IN NYC.YOU BE LUCKY IF YOU HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT TO DO YOUR LAUNDRY.

Posted by: GLORIA at September 6, 2009 7:20 PM

MANY PEOPLE PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO RENT AND APARTMENT IN NYC. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST IN NYC.MOST LIKELY YOU WILL PROBALY END UP RENTING A ROOM FROM SOMONE WHO OWNS AND LIVES IN A BROWNSTONE APARTMENT. IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST):LIVING IN NYC,YOU BETTER GET A SECOND JOB.THERE IS AN GLUT OF SO-CALLED ARTIST LIVING IN NYC.YOU BE LUCKY IF YOU HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT TO DO YOUR LAUNDRY.

Posted by: GLORIA at September 6, 2009 7:20 PM

Mr. Forbes needs to come to Russel Woods Ontario..now that is a classy neighbourhood..i found the landscaping in the video horrendous..

Posted by: pap at September 6, 2009 7:23 PM

fvsdfdsfv

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 7:25 PM

the comments on this article are among the most ridiculous that I've ever read. It saddens me that there are so many people take whatever opportunity they can to turn a reading piece into an opportunity to show racism. I am beginning to think that people want to lack civility.

Posted by: Ann at September 6, 2009 7:26 PM

I'd rather live in the smoggy California warm sun,and be buddies with guys like Vince Chase and Ari Gold. Tony who? Forgetaboutit.

Posted by: Boomer at September 6, 2009 7:35 PM

I've lived long enough to know that it doesn't matter what you live in. No one really cares. What really matters is how you live your life on this planet and with your neighbors. I live in a fairly low income neighborhood in the North County of San Diego and I decided a long time ago that I would make my home as fabulous as I possibly could and keep my neighborhood as clean as I possibly could, by picking up trash and setting the example. I believe I have made a difference and many people stop all the time to tell me how much they enjoy looking at my home and what I have done to it. I've been told it looks happy and a place they would want to live. See there!

Posted by: Maddie at September 6, 2009 7:39 PM

It is just nice, but not extravagant. It is OK i guess. I personally wouldn't spend a penny to buy any of the houses. they are still too small for the money, but it's OK compared to renting an apt in NYC i guess.

Posted by: Vero at September 6, 2009 7:41 PM

New Jersey sucks ! Try Maui for a truly beautifull , healthy place to exist !

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 7:45 PM

really ugly architecture...it's true what they say, you can't buy good taste with money...spend some of that money and get an education on what good architecture is...back to school!

Posted by: tony Exter at September 6, 2009 7:45 PM

I grew up in toney Livingston Township in the "West Essex" area of central north New Jersey in the late '60s through the early '80's. Even back in the '70's, homes in this area were extremely expensive due to the great schools, beautiful landscapes, fantastic shopping and a plethora of sporting and cultural activities all in close proximity to New York City and Newark and the east NJ corridor for employers. This area is where they shot the end of the opening montage for the Sopranos series when they close-in on the big white brick ranch house. This is actually North Caldwell, NJ. Surprisingly, most of New Jersey looks like the finest neighborhoods of Bel-Air, CA, Oak Brook, Ill. or Reston, VA. such as Alpine, Cresskill, Ridgewood, Tenafly, Woodcliff Lake, North Haledon and much of Bergen county, North Caldwell, Essex Fells, Millburn, Short Hills, Livingston, West Orange, South Orange, Glenridge and Upper Montclair in Essex county (yes...just west of Newark!) and of course Summit, Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Springfield, Westfield, Mountainside & Watchung in Union County, Morris Plains, Mendham, Chester, Long Valley, Montville, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Bedminster, Kinnelon, Butler, Mountain Lakes, Denville, Rumson, Bay Head, Deal, Peapack-Gladstone, Somerset, the Princeton area, and countless other lovely communities throughout Morris, Somerset, Mercer, Warren counties. Many towns and townships in New Jersey are still very pristine and exurban. Some have beautiful mountain or hillside vistas, some lovely water-views on lakes, rivers or the Atlantic ocean. It's no wonder there is so much money in the Garden State even in a bad economy. And because of the "mythical" industrial stance that poor New Jersey has been labeled by the California media idiots and those New Yorkers and other who are simply ignorant of the complete nature of the state, most folks don't know just how great a place NJ really is! I've lived in the Tampa area for years and would love to move back home to NJ if I could afford it! If you really want to see an incredibly beautiful part of the US, take a ride west in New Jersey on I80 from Stanhope or I78 west from Lebanon and watch the gorgeous rolling hills and quaint farm towns and old colonial-era villages that still exist amidst the growing megalopolitan suburban growth between the New York and Philadelphia suburbs. You'll be very surprised and probably have a new view of the truly green Garden State.

Posted by: hotwheelsbear at September 6, 2009 7:46 PM

We go for drives like this in our town. I'd sure like to see the inside of them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: AllThatRemains at September 6, 2009 7:46 PM

What ever makes you happy!! These people make and spend a whole lot of money. I feel luckier then them, why? I've lived in Hawaii,California,Japan and now Texas and I've owned homes in all places, so if you tally up what I've spent on home prices it come up to about the same???but aside just taking a vacation to exotic places for short periods I've lived there. You do get a whole lot more for the money in TX..btw I get mineral rights as well??to each his/her own..wealthy or not..we really have the power to chose our own lifestyles..health and happiness is key!

Posted by: Maikel Lusios at September 6, 2009 7:49 PM

i don't care about the stupid comments made you people are so immature. in my opinion if you have the body flunt it and if you have the money spend it. HHAATTEERRSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: babygirlboricua at September 6, 2009 8:03 PM

Oh...And by the way....even though the Tuberaider video on Alpine shows the newer money "McMansions" in that area, you'd be very surprised to see the truly palatial homes and estates throughout that area and much of New Jersey that you can't see from off of the newer suburban streets. These are towns like Far Hills where Jackie-O kept her horse farm, or the Somerville area where Doris Duke lived, or perhaps the original home of Thomas Edison in a section of West Orange that is still so exclusive that most people don't even know it exists. There are stately homes such as you'd see in the Costwold section of Scarsdale, New York, or English manors throughout Great Britain in magnificent Short Hills, New Jersey, which is perhaps one of the most beautiful and understated towns in the US. At one time before it's unfortunate demise due to fire in the late '70's, there stood a magnificent tennis club building built by Stanford White in the early 20th century across from the Short Hills train station on the NJ Transit suburban rail-line. The homes surrounding this neighborhood are still there however and each is classic, from different eras and generally elegant and expensive but understated. There is alot of great residential architecture in New Jersey, especially owned by the very rich, just as there is in LA, better Chicago and Boston suburbs, Dallas, Seattle, you name it. There is also alot of kitch but so is there in much of California, Florida, Texas, Nevada, the Atlanta area, you name it! This is not the sole province of New Jersey so naysayers with pedestrian and limited mindsets.....look to your own backyard before you judge how tacky someone else's may be.

Posted by: hotwheelsbear at September 6, 2009 8:08 PM

If you are looking for something really fancy, try San Marino, CA 91108.

Posted by: Darmani at September 6, 2009 8:15 PM

OK I watched it. Where I live, those would go for about $300,000, maybe 1/2 a mil. Inflated prices in Calf, NJ and NY are WAY over done. When they compare per capita spending on students and ONLY USE DOLLARS, they ignore that a 1200 sq foot place in Manhattan rents for 9000 a month. In Iuca, MS the same square foots would be only 600 a month. Thats why they have to pay teachers 100,000 in NY. and 30,000 in MS. You can't compare just stright dollars without factoring in cost of living. It costs 5 times as much to live in NY as MS. Thats why houses are more, salaries are more, ad infimum. MS dollars are MUCH bigger than NY dollars. You getsa whole lotta more for yore buck outside the high rent area!

Posted by: Mother at September 6, 2009 8:16 PM

Not impressed I live in Greenwich Ct

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 8:19 PM

Is this video an advertisement for Toll Brothers?

Posted by: Johnny5 at September 6, 2009 8:31 PM

Hello All, I gues the producer of this short film never see the Beverly Hills ,Malibu etc. I"ll never change Southern California even they give those houses in NJ free. Viva Los Angeles California.Because two or three rapper bought a house there doesnt mean people want to live there. They couldnt afford or no body sell them house In California that is why they try to create their little BH and Southern California there but when the heating bill arrives and they couldnt drive their SUV due to snow storms they'll fly here and stay in that expensive BH hotels.....

Posted by: Ray Kara at September 6, 2009 9:01 PM

no people, no cars in driveways other than construction trucks, and the houses look like catering halls no thanks

Posted by: loretta at September 6, 2009 9:07 PM

Two questions...who in their right mind would want to live in NJ...who in their right mind would want to go to NYC...answer tasteless, tacky, mindless people.

Posted by: Billmoore43 at September 6, 2009 9:21 PM

How about Hawaii? Hawaii Kai homes are close to $1M and are regular homes, but Portlock and Kahala Homes run into many millions.

Posted by: mary at September 6, 2009 9:21 PM

I'm a realtor in CT and I can honestly say that we have the same duplicate homes in my state for under one million.

Posted by: Amelia 9 at September 6, 2009 9:32 PM

I'm a realtor in CT and I can honestly say that we have the same duplicate homes in my state for under one million.

Posted by: Amelia9 at September 6, 2009 9:32 PM

I'm a realtor in CT and I can honestly say that we have the same duplicate homes in my state for under one million.

Posted by: Amelia9 at September 6, 2009 9:33 PM

Do Tony & Carmella Soprano live there?

Posted by: eternalboomer at September 6, 2009 10:05 PM

Ameila9 has must have a speech impediment...

Posted by: Billmoore43 at September 6, 2009 10:08 PM

Billmoore43 - play nice. One might not want to live in Jersey, but why not NY? It's got the best entertainment, food, natural ambience, and people. Who in their right mind would not want to live in NY? City, that is.

Posted by: eternalboomer at September 6, 2009 10:09 PM

Ameila9 has must have a speech impediment...

Posted by: Billmoore43 at September 6, 2009 10:09 PM

new jersey has always been pretty...but its very nouveau riche...im not all about mcmansions and monsterously offensive mcmansions. i prefer classic estates built with taste style and simple elegance that seems to fit right into the rolling hills and pretty seashores of the most classic state in the nation...Connecticut.

Posted by: mwbonaiuto at September 6, 2009 10:37 PM

new jersey has always been pretty...but its very nouveau riche...im not all about monsterously offensive mcmansions. i prefer estates built with taste style and simple elegance that seems to fit right into the rolling hills and pretty seashores of the most classic state in the nation...Connecticut.

Posted by: mwbonaiuto at September 6, 2009 10:38 PM

Nothing beets the style and sophistication of the people and the fabulous rolling estates of connecticut....these new jersey mcmansions are on top of each other and look like an add for Toll Brothers....

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 10:48 PM

Nothing beats the style and sophistication of the people and the fabulous rolling estates of connecticut....these new jersey mcmansions are on top of each other and look like an add for Toll Brothers....

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 10:48 PM

Nothing beats the style and sophistication of the people and the fabulous rolling estates of connecticut....these new jersey mcmansions are on top of each other and look like an add for Toll Brothers....how revolting

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 10:49 PM

Hence Housewives of New Jersey...Old money used wrong..Uneducated bimbos.

Posted by: Laughable at September 6, 2009 10:56 PM

WOW!! We have a lot of really toxic, ignorant, racist pigs responding to this nice little video.. so envious of people that work hard and have nice things.. trust me the "blacks" and the "Jews" are way harder workers and more industrious than you hidious racial fat *ss pigs. Don't perpetuate your disgusting nausea.. don't bring kids into our world.

Posted by: cookie at September 6, 2009 11:00 PM

exactly......a tacky sorry lot they can be...im embarrassed for them....

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 11:02 PM

I believe Cookie is taking this too seriously.......relax...anyone with a half a brain knows New Jersey is actually a hidden gem of a state....its where Elmer Fudd came from...

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 11:08 PM

Im with Laughable...Real Housewives of New Jersey was tacky, glitzy, and the people werent very bright on the show....i was really embarrassed for them

Posted by: new englander at September 6, 2009 11:11 PM

Whatever floats their boat...If you got it flaunt it!! If their happy I'm happy :)

Posted by: Kel at September 6, 2009 11:12 PM

The ones with the small penises are not the ones who buy the beautiful homes.. it's the ones that write such hateful responses. Pigs I tell ya.. OINK OINK PEWWWWWWW

Posted by: Igloo at September 6, 2009 11:13 PM

Those are only the new stuff built there. The older section of Alpine is as lovely and expansive as anything CT or FL or CA offers. The folk living in the older section wouldn't allow photo crews there, and you can't really see those homes from the road. It is all well and good to bash NJ, there are lots of good reasons to. But NJ is NOT all a stereotype of the Sopranos. visit places like Haddonfield or Moorestown in the Phildelphia area and you get a different view.

Posted by: southjerseyite at September 6, 2009 11:15 PM

Are YOU Elmer Fudd? New englander? You just may be

Posted by: Sampson at September 6, 2009 11:19 PM

haha I remember Chris Rock talked about this in his comedy saying in his neighborhood there are only a few black people are they are all superstars like jay-z, mary jay blinge, etc. But the white guy next door is just a regular dentist. he didn't invent teeth or make it to the dental hall of fame, just a regular old yank your tooth dentist. the black man has to fly to get to where the white man can just walk.

Posted by: toddq at September 6, 2009 11:35 PM

Remember that this article is only about what the most expensive zipcode is statistically. It is not about whether Alpine is a cultural or social hub. Some folk like to live by the sea, some in the mountains, some in the city, and other in the country. If you like glitz and glamor and action all the time, Alpine is not for you.

Posted by: southjerseyite at September 6, 2009 11:38 PM

I would prefer a mobile home park!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at September 6, 2009 11:42 PM

Wow. Don't judge Jersey if you've never been there. Alpine is not claiming to be the best place to live, nor is it claiming to have the best, nicest houses. It's only the most EXPENSIVE. And you know what, any sort of land in Jersey is expensive so while you may not think the houses are that great, use your brain please. Real estate markets differ. Houses are cheaper down south. The more people live there, the more expensive it gets.

I've lived all around the country and I now live in Bergen County, New Jersey. Personally I think this whole area is great and I'd prefer it to anywhere else. I'm not saying the mansions are something I'd want to spend money on, but the people that do do it for a reason. We have a lot of personality, and we're not just close to NYC. Philadelphia, Boston, DC and Baltimore are all within a four to five hour drive. So don't knock it.

And to the person who mentioned that they thought people who lived near NYC never went there? We go there all the time. NYC isn't just about the tourist spots, you know. People here drive in and out any time of day.

Posted by: laura at September 7, 2009 12:52 AM

A LOT OF HATERS OUT HERE!!
REMEMBER THAT JEALOUSY AND HATRED ARE WEAK EMOTIONS.

Posted by: WTF at September 7, 2009 1:16 AM

NJ is a mess, might have one of the most expensive zipcodes, and many poor high crime towns like Camden. The state with most corrupt politicians convicted and ones still under investigation., the cops are disrespectful, dirty towns and smells like dung, construction of roads takes them forever to finish and improper planning to unease traffic and still pot holes every where. Stupidly expensive for no reason, and don't even get me started with the parastatals like DMV, taxation, etc. The judicial system there is a mess, insurance(car and home) is high for no reason., These are just a tip of it. After 25yrs, I'm glad I left that state, there are states you are better off at, but never NJ.

Posted by: Tony Aso at September 7, 2009 1:18 AM

The reason why alpine nj has many ''expensive'' (if you say so) houses (they are by no means --HOMES) is because of all the sopranos you have leaving in that area. LOL, drug dealing and drug trafficking all dirty money. Nothing but a bunch of guidos. PUKE PUKE PUKE!!

Posted by: jerseysuuckkks at September 7, 2009 1:21 AM

Excuse me, but it's "Joisey," not "Jersey."

Posted by: DolemiteA1 at September 7, 2009 1:39 AM

This video has to be a hoax. Did anyone notice the old cars in the driveways (circa 1950-60)? Also, whoever wrote the script for this very poorly produced video (screen shots of the interior of the driver's car, rearview and front view mirrors, body parts, etc.) totally slaughtered the English language. For example: "Where it is? Guess it." LOL. Oh, and "the most expensive town to live in New Jersey. LOL2xs. "Its impossible to look for a house below a million dollar." Not dollars, with an 's", but dollar. LMAO!!!!

Re the homes/neighborhood, I give it a 2 out of 5. If you really want to see something special, check out Belvedere, CA, or Malibu, or Palos Verdes...anywhere but Jersey (besides, you will freeze your buns off between Halloween and June 1st) and the water is tainted.

Posted by: cocoluck at September 7, 2009 3:11 AM

The video is not a hoax. They are filming the Rio Vista neighborhood of Alpine. They just drove through Rio Vista Drive, Truman Drive, Jackson Drive and Wilson Drive. The houses are huge, though the video didn't film the biggest house in Alpine, the Klein's Mansion, at Closter Dock Road.

Alpine is a great neighborhood to live in, with an esteemed school system. Though only minutes away from New York, it is peaceful here. If you can afford it, Alpine is one of the best places to live. And the property tax is the lowest in the county.

It's a shame that people who haven't lived here, would judge it so negatively.

Oh yeah, and I live in the same street as Chris Rock, and Lil' Kim.

Posted by: Joesph at September 8, 2009 6:18 PM

In looking at the video, it seems the houses are way too big for the lots they are on. Plus, if I spent more than a $1 million on a house, I sure as hell wouldn't want it so that people could practically circle it on the street and look into all my windows....that one house, god, it looks like the road wraps around the whole thing. If you lived there you wouldn't be able to look out a window without seeing a car driving by.

This looks like one of those typical overpriced craptastic neighborhoods you find in California. The developers and realtors took cheap farmland and pumped up the prices, then sold a bill of goods to people with more money than common sense. It is said there is a sucker born every minute, these places prove it. And I wouldn't call it a badge of honor to say you live near a rap "artist".

No class. You fail.

Posted by: Robby at September 25, 2009 4:25 PM

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