Oakland, NJ Real Estate Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Renters

Oakland is a borough of about 12,700 residents in northwest Bergen County, counted at 12,748 in the 2020 Census. It sits where the county meets the Ramapo Mountains and the Passaic County line, with the Ramapo River running through its western side and a state forest inside its borders. The area was known as The Ponds until 1870, when it took the name Oakland, and it incorporated as a borough in 1902. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Oakland.

Why People Choose Oakland

Open land and highway access are the two big draws. Ramapo Mountain State Forest, with its trailhead parking on Skyline Drive, gives Oakland direct access to more than 28 miles of marked trails, many of them looping around Ramapo Lake. At the same time, Interstate 287 cuts through the borough, with exits 57 and 58 serving the borough, so the rest of North Jersey is within easy reach by car.

History is part of the appeal, too. The Van Allen House, at the corner of U.S. Route 202 and Franklin Avenue, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the borough, George Washington and his troops stopped there overnight on July 14, 1777, when muddy roads halted their march along Ramapo Valley Road. The Cannonball Trail, a hidden Revolutionary War-era road that is now a hiking path, still crosses Route 287 on a footbridge.

Getting Around: Commuting from Oakland

• Car: I-287 runs through Oakland, and Route 208 also serves the borough. U.S. Route 202 (Ramapo Valley Road) is the main local road and the center of the downtown business district.
• Bus: Short Line commuter buses provide service between Oakland and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
• Rail: Oakland has no passenger rail station of its own. The railroad that arrived in 1869 still runs through the borough, but today it carries freight, so rail commuters drive to a station in a neighboring town.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Oakland is overwhelmingly a homeownership town. The Census Bureau reports that about 93% of occupied homes in the borough are owner-occupied, based on 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates. Areas you'll hear about include:

• Downtown: The commercial spine along Ramapo Valley Road, where most of the borough's shops and services are.
• West Oakland: The section along the Ramapo River, close to the state forest and Skyline Drive.
• Single-family homes: The main housing type for buyers, from older houses to newer construction, on lots that vary from level parcels to hillside sites near the mountains.
• Townhouses and condos: A smaller share of the market. When you're considering one, association fees, reserves and rules are part of the review.

Buying a Home in Oakland

Oakland's mountain setting shapes the buying process. A few things we help buyers check:

• Highlands rules: Oakland is one of the municipalities in the New Jersey Highlands region. Roughly 2,600 acres of the borough fall in the Highlands Preservation Area, where state rules can limit new construction, additions and land disturbance. If you plan to expand or build, we confirm what applies to the lot before you commit.
• Flood zones: The Ramapo River runs through West Oakland, and the borough's own history records a 1902 flood that rose 14½ feet above normal and swept away most bridges between Pompton Lakes and Suffern. For homes near the river or its tributaries, we check FEMA flood maps and insurance needs early.
• Zoning: The borough publishes a 2026 zoning map. If you're thinking about a home office, an addition or a pool, we review the zone and permit requirements with you.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.
• FHA buyers: FHA financing can work well for single-family homes and for condos in approved complexes, often with a low down payment.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your Oakland Home

Most Oakland buyers are shopping for a home to live in, so condition and presentation carry real weight. Value here depends heavily on the specific property: lot size and slope, proximity to I-287 and Route 208, flood zone status, and how much of the house has been updated. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis using recent sales of homes like yours, then market your property across the MLS and every major online channel. If your lot sits in the Highlands Preservation Area, we'll have the right documentation ready so buyers understand what they can and can't do.

Renting and Investing in Oakland

With owner-occupied homes making up the large majority of the borough, Oakland's rental supply is small. Renters should expect a limited selection, mostly single-family homes and the occasional condo or townhouse offered by individual owners, and should be ready to move quickly. We help renters find options that fit their budget and commute, and we help owners price, market and screen applicants. For investors, we'll walk through realistic rents, taxes, insurance, Highlands restrictions and condition so the numbers hold up before you buy.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Ramapo Mountain State Forest, with 14 official trails, Ramapo Lake and trailhead parking on Skyline Drive
• The Cannonball Trail, including its footbridge over I-287
• Van Allen House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Great Oak Park and the Oakland Dog Park
• The borough Recreation Complex, with athletic fields and lighted tennis courts
• Oakland Public Library, 2 Municipal Plaza, next to Borough Hall
• Public schools: Oakland PreK-8 Public Schools (Dogwood Hill, Heights and Manito elementary schools and Valley Middle School) and the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, which includes Indian Hills High School on Yawpo Avenue in Oakland

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Oakland with nearby towns? Read our guides to Franklin Lakes, Mahwah, Wayne and Wanaque, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Oakland.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.