Hackensack/Teaneck - Hackensack, NJ

Hackensack was once home to Leni Lenape Native Americans, who referred to the greater area as "stony ground". The land was acquired by Dutch settlers in 1665, was developed and became temporary headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Weekly walking tours of Hackensack's rich historical heritage give viewers insight into historic locations like First Reformed Dutch Church, constructed in 1791 and the second oldest church in New Jersey.

The Hackensack Cultural Arts Center performs in locally. Big crowds come out for the Hudson Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare Wednesdays twice a month during summer in nearby Staib Park. Likewise, The Garage Theatre Group in Teaneck stages professional productions in the Becton Theatre on Fairleigh Dickenson University's campus.

In northern New Jersey, pizzerias are commonplace features in many communities; however, Brooklyn's Coal Burning Brick Oven Pizza serves up a contender for best pizza in the area at three different locations. One these locations is settled on River Road, bringing to mind old-Italian restaurants with red and white checkerboard table clothes and Frank Sinatra's voice crooning through speakers.

Pizzas at Brooklyn's Pizza are available by the pie only, no individual slices. Each pizza blends homemade sauce, chunks of mozzarella cheese, and fresh Italian deli meats. Brooklyn's Pizza does not accept credit cards, so locals have to bring cash.

White Manna, further down River Road, would be easy to miss if you don't see the swarms of people waiting outside to be served some greasy goodness. Once featured on the Food Network, White Manna's sliders begin as balls of meat thrown on a grill in this smaller-than-a-kitchen restaurant. The chefs cook hunks of meat and then throw them into potato buns with caramelized onions. If the atmosphere seems rushed in White Manna, it's because the restaurant's popularity makes it local royalty, with diners cramming into the circular building to try the burgers at all times of the day.

Veggie Heaven in Teaneck serves 100 percent vegetarian or vegan, kosher, and GMO-free dishes. Those looking for alternative dining experiences find a new favorite here; its menu offers a combination of creative dishes, such as vegan basil chicken and Mongolian beef. All entrees are tofu or soy product, blending ingredients to create dishes tasting almost exactly like meat dishes.

Locals grab drinks at the Cottage Bar and Restaurant on Cedar Lane in Teaneck. A traditional Irish pub, the Cottage serves Gaelic steak and chicken curry along with Guinness. The food pricing in the Cottage Bar rivals other diners in the area, but daily dinner and drink specials make the Cottage Bar affordable and within walking distance of the Teaneck and Hackensack area.

Closer to Hackensack, Life Ultra Lounge boasts a swanky New York City-inspired interior that gets people on the dance floor. Sometimes referred to as the Ultra Bar, Life Ultra Lounge has an entrance fee -- be prepared for a fairly steep price tag. The dimly lit atmosphere, the couches, and the house DJ are perfect for parties or a night out without trekking into New York City.

Weekly local live entertainment at Mexicali Live on Queen Anne Road is a great alternative to the prices at Ultra. Blues bands, Grateful Dead tribute bands, and alumni from the local School of Rock take stage at Mexicali Live; $10 tickets are available at the door. Mexicali Live boasts a wide range of beer and cider beginning at $5. A large dance floor in the center is sometimes filled with tables, depending on the entertainment.

It's fairly easy to walk to most of the necessities in the Hackensack and Teaneck area. There are many bus stops along Cedar Lane, Queen Anne Road, River Road and Teaneck Road, giving many options for commuting. A Pascack Valley rail line runs to Hoboken. Plentiful car services in-town, including Uber, will take you where you need to go, though you'll find it hard to hail a cab.

The Teaneck and Hackensack area is surrounded by major highways including Route 4, I-80, Route 17, and I-95. Residential permits are required to park in nonmetered spots but walking is an option for local shopping. This area does not have biking lanes, but a community of bikers makes for safe riding.

Huge local parks are safe and available for free in the area. Van Saun Park is a perfect day away from city streets, boasting wide-open grassy spaces, picnic areas, ball fields, multipurpose paths and Bergen County Zoo. Van Saun Park's locality draws day trippers from all over Northern New Jersey for its pony rides, carousel or a day at the playground.

Renovated Overpeck County Park overflows with activity, flora and fauna. Plaques around the park celebrate its' preservation and sustainability efforts. Annual walks, lantern lightings, modern playgrounds and open spaces are perfect for weekend retreats with the whole family — including your dog. During the summer, head out on a kayaking excursion down the Hackensack River.

Expect to pay a little more than the surrounding area for a one-bedroom apartment as the average runs around $1,310 per month. However, you can find beer for between $4 to $5 dollars a pint, and gas prices run around 1 percent below the national average.

The Hackensack and Teaneck area has a wide selection of local and international retailers. Diverse local shops like Bettina's Boutique sell natural-fiber fashion without breaking your budget, and nearby Mishelyne's Fashions sells semiformal to formal attire, perfect for night-out wardrobes. The Shops at Riverside offer many larger boutiques from luxury names like Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Omega, and Tiffany and Co.

Grocery shopping in the area is diverse; a Whole Foods Market, Annapurna Indian Grocery, and H Mart (Asian groceries and packaged food market) are within minutes of the Teaneck and Hackensack area. Farmers markets like Teaneck Farmers Market sell fresh, local produce as well as cheese, coffee, baked goods, and even crafts.