As December settles in, Bergen County is buzzing with fresh events, local news, and the kind of community moments that make this season feel special. From nature walks and jazz nights to a fascinating bit of Englewood history you’ll want to share at your next holiday gathering, this week’s Insider has something for everyone. Let’s get into it.

Leonia is one of those Bergen County towns that quietly surprises people. Tucked just south of Fort Lee, it offers quick access to the George Washington Bridge while still maintaining a calm, tree-lined, neighborhood feel. It’s small — only about a square mile — but it has the kind of personality and cultural depth that larger towns envy.

What draws many people to Leonia is its arts-focused identity. The town has long been known for its creative community, and the Leonia Arts District regularly hosts performances, workshops, and community shows. The Civil War Drill Hall Theater is home to one of the oldest community theater companies in the country, making arts and performance a year-round part of town life.

Families appreciate Leonia for its well-rated school system, walkable neighborhoods, and quick access to parks and green spaces. Families spend weekends at Overpeck County Park, which borders the town and offers miles of walking trails, playgrounds, athletic fields, kayaking, and one of the best open-air spaces in all of North Jersey.

Commuters love Leonia for its 10–20 minute bus ride to Manhattan, plus nearby access to local highways and the GWB. Despite being so close to the city, it retains a distinctly suburban feel with quiet streets, local shops, and a strong sense of community involvement.

If you’re looking for a Lower Bergen town with convenience, culture, and a surprisingly strong arts pulse, Leonia is one worth keeping on the radar.

Wallington, New Jersey Council Meeting – December 1, 2025
The Borough of Wallington has announced it will shift its fully volunteer ambulance service to a partial-service model, partnering with the nearby hospital (HUMC) to provide enhanced medical response and coverage. The change aims to improve emergency care reliability and reduce response times for residents.
🔗 Official article: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/wallington/2025/12/01/wallington-nj-to-switch-volunteer-ems-squad-to-partial-service/87506031007/🏡

Bergen County’s housing market stayed active and competitive this week, with 158 new listings hitting the market — a noticeable dip from the recent fall surge but still enough inventory to keep buyers engaged as we move closer to the winter slowdown. Even with fewer homes entering the market, buyers continue to move quickly: 162 properties went under contract, a sign that well-priced homes are still attracting strong interest.

A sizable 124 homes entered attorney review, which shows there’s meaningful traction in the early stages of negotiation. Meanwhile, 177 properties successfully closed, reinforcing that deals initiated earlier in the fall market are now making their way to the finish line.

On the pricing side, 60 homes saw price reductions, compared with only 3 price increases. That ratio continues a trend we’ve been watching for several weeks: sellers who came to market a bit too aggressively are making adjustments to meet today’s buyer expectations. At the same time, the low number of price increases indicates that upward pressure on pricing is modest right now — typical for early December, when buyers are motivated but more selective.

We also saw 18 homes come back on market, often tied to inspection issues or buyer financing challenges, and 10 ARIP (Attorney Review in Progress) removals, which generally reflect deals that didn’t move forward. This is normal for the season and not a sign of instability — just the natural friction of real estate negotiations.

The leasing market remains steady as well, with a consistent number of leases being signed across the county, showing that renters and buyers alike are still active despite the holiday season approaching.

Overall:
The market remains balanced but busy, with motivated buyers outnumbering new inventory and encouraging healthy movement across all price points. Sellers entering the market now can still capture strong attention as buyers continue to compete for updated, well-priced homes. And for buyers, the combination of fresh listings and seasonal price adjustments means this is a great moment to be actively searching.

👉 See the latest homes for sale and local market insights at NorthJerseyPartners.com.

Real estate information deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Volunteer as a River Cleanup Crew Member
Organization: Hackensack Riverkeeper
What You’ll Do: Join one of their ongoing cleanup events along the Hackensack River to help remove trash, improve water quality, and protect local wildlife. Opportunities are available spring through fall.
Learn More / Sign Up: https://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/volunteer

Become a Zoo Docent or Program Volunteer
Organization: Bergen County Zoo (Friends of the Bergen County Zoo)
What You’ll Do: Assist with educational programs, guide guests, help with special events, or support zoo staff in caring for animals and maintaining exhibits. Ideal for animal lovers and educators.
Learn More / Sign Up: https://friendsofbergencountyzoo.org/volunteer/

Support Environmental Restoration
Organization: Teaneck Creek Conservancy
What You’ll Do: Participate in stewardship events such as planting native species, removing invasive plants, maintaining trails, and helping with educational tours and events.
Learn More / Sign Up: https://www.teaneckcreek.org/volunteer

Heads up if you're flying or connecting through Newark Airport: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Rail Station will be closed from Saturday, December 6 at 9:30 PM through Sunday, December 7 at 10:00 AM.

NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains will not stop at the airport station during this window due to major construction, including a new station entrance and work tied to the AirTrain replacement project.

The Port Authority will run shuttle buses between Newark Penn Station and the airport terminals throughout the closure.

Here’s what commuters need to know:

Expect added travel time and plan accordingly if you're catching a flight or heading into the city this weekend.

🔗 Full advisory: https://www.njtransit.com/service-advisory/2010494

Englewood was home to the very first drive-in bank window in America — way back in 1930.

Before fast food, before drive-thru coffee, and decades before ATMs, The First National Bank of Englewood installed a curbside banking window that allowed customers to pull up in their cars, speak to a teller, and send documents through a pneumatic tube system — the same whooshing tubes you still see in North Jersey bank lanes today.

What made it revolutionary wasn’t just convenience. At the time, car ownership was booming, and banks nationwide were losing customers to long wait times. Englewood’s innovation made national news because it was the first true “drive-in banking” model, a concept that spread across the U.S. and eventually inspired the drive-thru systems used in pharmacies, restaurants, and even early COVID testing sites.

It’s one of those small but fascinating examples of how Bergen County helped shape everyday American life — and most residents have no idea it started right here.

📚 Source: New Jersey Historical Commission

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