Why Growing Up in LEONIA, NJ Made Me Return With My Family

Nestled in Bergen County, New Jersey lies the charming Earl of Leon, a special place that shaped me and holds a special place in my heart. I was raised in Leonia and moved back to raise my family like many kids who grew up in Leonia did. Today, I want to share my journey of growing up in this small, artsy and vibrant community and why moving back here with my wife and three daughters was the best decision our family could make. My journey began in the Bronx. My parents moved our family to Lyonia when I was just years old. I don't think they realized how much of a positive decision that was at the time that made a big impact on us, but it did. My mother grew up across from the George Washington Bridge near 155th and Riverside Drive. And she'd look over the Hudson river to New Jersey and dreamed about raising a family in New Jersey and met my dad and moved over in the 1970s. Leonia gave me a safe, nurturing environment to grow up. Summers were spent at Wood park playing stickball, basketball and Frisbee. My friends and I explored creeks along the Hillside Avenue, raced cans down the streams and we went fishing in the Hackensack river at Overpack for carp, catfish, whatever we could pull out of that place. Every season brought adventures and memories. Whether it was hours at the town pool, sledding in the winter, the old golf course or ski trips at Vernon Valley, the with the Leonia Rec program, we just had a great time. I graduated from Leonia High School. When I was there, I proudly played football for the leonia Lions, number 43, nose garden and fullback. Though our football team wasn't the best, those games still were special to us. The lifelong friendships I made still put a special place in my heart. The encouragement of these friends motivated me to dream bigger, work harder and inspired me to go to college, setting a path for my future. These guys made all the difference on me. After meeting my wife in Florida and moving back to the New York metro area, my wife and I decided to move back to Leonia to raise our daughters. What drew us back was more than nostalgia. It was the promise of the same small town charm and close knit community that had shaped me. Leonia is a unique place. It's quiet, it's an artsy town where people truly care about each other. The neighbors are down to earth. The schools are exceptional. The community involvement is the heartbeat of the town. From ASOS soccer games and holidays events to summer days at the pool, the weekend strolls at Overpack to Leonia Day and the parades. Leonia offers a perfect balance of peaceful living and rich opportunities to families to do things together. Our school system is another reason why we chose to move back to Leonia. The teachers and the programs are incredible. They're very committed and focused and the special service department made a huge difference with our two of our three daughters who had ADHD and dyslexia. There's opportunities to go to Bergen Academies at a middle school if you're strong in the STEM programs which can pave a great way scholarships. It's really limitless. And let's not forget the location. Being just 10 minutes from New York City gives us access to world class culture, career opportunities and entertainment while still enjoying the peace and charm of a small town feel. Leonia isn't just where I grew up, it's where my wife and I chose to raise our family. It's a town that gave that gives back as much as you put into it, with lifelong friendships and a vibrant community and memories that last generations. If you're looking for a place to call home, there's no better spot than this hidden gem in Bergen County. If you would like to learn more about Leonia, click the link below for a free guide to moving to Leonia. Thank you for joining me on this journey down memory lane. If you're curious about life in Leonia, just give me a call. Have a great day.