Clinton Place Hackensack NJ: What Most People Get Wrong

Clinton Place Hackensack NJ: What Most People Get Wrong

Walk down Clinton Place in Hackensack and you’ll notice something immediately: it doesn't feel like the rest of the city. While the "new" Hackensack is currently defined by massive, glass-heavy luxury towers and transit-oriented developments along Main Street, Clinton Place Hackensack NJ remains a pocket of stability that bridges the gap between the city’s urban core and the quiet, tree-lined Fairmount section.

It's a weirdly specific street. You've got high-rise condos at one end and sprawling, million-dollar Tudors just a few blocks away. Most people think of it as just another cut-through to get to the Anderson Street train station, but if you're actually looking to live here, there is a lot of nuance that the Zillow listings won't tell you.

The Dual Identity of Clinton Place

Honestly, when people talk about Clinton Place, they’re usually talking about one of two very different things.

First, there’s the Clinton Place Condominiums at 55 Clinton Place. Built in 1987, this six-story mid-rise is the "value play" of the neighborhood. It’s for the person who wants to be in Bergen County without paying the $4,000 monthly rent found in the brand-new buildings like The Brick or Ivy and Green. As of early 2026, units here are still moving in the $225,000 to $350,000 range, which is practically a unicorn price point for a building with an elevator and dedicated parking in this part of North Jersey.

Then there’s the "upper" part of the street.

If you head north toward the Fairmount section, the condos disappear. They’re replaced by homes like the sprawling Tudor at 290 Clinton Place—a massive seven-bedroom estate that sits on a double lot. We're talking nearly 4,000 square feet of living space, original woodwork, and detached four-car garages. It’s a total 180-degree flip from the condo vibe. This is where the old-school Bergen County money lives, and these properties rarely hit the market. When they do, they command prices north of $1 million, even with the "older" architectural styles.

Why Location Nerds Love This Street

If you’re a commuter, the "Goldilocks" factor of Clinton Place is hard to beat.

The Anderson Street NJ Transit station is roughly a five-minute walk from the main condo complex. That puts you on the Pascack Valley Line, which is a straight shot to Secaucus or Hoboken for the PATH. You’re also a six-minute walk from the Rite Aid center and a very short drive from The Shops at Riverside.

  • Walk Score: 85 to 89 (depending on the exact block).
  • Transit Score: 58 (Good, but you’ll still want a car for grocery runs).
  • Vibe: Quiet on weekdays, surprisingly active on weekends due to the proximity to Anderson Park.

The street also sits within the attendance zone for Hackensack High School, and younger kids typically head to Fairmount Elementary or Nellie K. Parker. While the district ratings have been a point of debate for years, the proximity to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus (a 16-minute walk) gives the area a slight "college town" undertone that keeps the rental market extremely tight.

The Real Cost of Living Here in 2026

Let’s talk numbers because the market in 2026 is a different beast than it was even two years ago.

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The median sale price in Hackensack has hovered around $395,000, but Clinton Place Hackensack NJ often ignores those city-wide averages. At 55 Clinton Place, the monthly HOA fees are a significant factor. These fees generally cover your exterior maintenance, 24-hour security, and—crucially for older buildings—capital improvement funds for things like the roof and the elevator.

Recent sales in early January 2026 showed a one-bedroom unit (#609) selling for $212,500 after nearly 170 days on the market. That’s a key detail. While the market is "hot," older condos that need internal cosmetic updates are taking longer to sell as buyers gravitate toward the turn-key luxury rentals nearby. However, for a savvy buyer, that 6% under-list sale price represents a rare opportunity to build equity through a renovation.

Renters are seeing a different story. Average rent for a two-bedroom in the Downtown/Fairmount border area has climbed toward $3,400. If you can find a private condo for rent at 55 Clinton Place, you might snag it for closer to $2,800 or $3,000, but you’ll likely be dealing with an individual landlord rather than a professional management company.

The Development Shadow

Hackensack is currently undergoing its most massive transformation since the mid-20th century. Over 4,000 new residential units have been added to the city’s inventory recently.

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How does this affect Clinton Place?

The City of Hackensack designated Block 411—which includes the area between Maple Avenue and Clinton Place—as an "area in need of redevelopment." Specifically, the parking lot on Clinton Place between Main Street and Pangborn Place is part of a plan to modernize the corridor. You’re going to see more "mixed-use" projects, which means more foot traffic and better lighting, but also more competition for those rare street parking spots.

The $700 million expansion of Hackensack Meridian Health is also a massive driver for this specific street. Medical residents and traveling nurses are constantly looking for housing within a 5-minute drive of the hospital. Clinton Place is exactly 1.4 miles from the medical center. That proximity creates a "floor" for property values; even if the broader economy dips, the demand for housing near the hospital remains bulletproof.

Surprising Details Most People Miss

There are a few things you only notice if you spend time on the ground here.

First, the building at 145-157 Clinton Place, known as Clinton Gardens, is a walk-up style that offers a completely different aesthetic—more of a mid-century garden apartment feel. Unlike the 55 Clinton high-rise, these units often include heat and water in the rent, which is a massive win given North Jersey's rising utility costs.

Second, the pet policies are surprisingly strict for a city that feels so "dog-friendly." Many of the condo associations on this street have a 25-pound limit for dogs. If you have a Golden Retriever, you’re basically out of luck in the condos and should be looking at the single-family homes further up the block.

Practical Insights for Moving to Clinton Place

If you're looking at Clinton Place Hackensack NJ as your next home, stop looking at the glossy brochures for the new buildings and do these three things instead:

  1. Check the HOA Minutes: If you're buying at 55 Clinton, ask for the last two years of board meeting minutes. With a building built in 1987, you want to know if a "special assessment" for the roof or the parking garage is coming down the pipeline.
  2. Test the Train Commute: Don't trust the app. Walk from the property to the Anderson Street station at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday. The walk is easy, but the Pascack Valley Line has fewer mid-day trains than the Main/Bergen Line. Make sure the schedule actually fits your life.
  3. Visit at Night: The area near Main Street and Clinton is being revitalized, but it’s still an urban environment. Walk the block at 9:00 PM. It’s generally safe (Hackensack’s crime score is a respectable 4 out of 10), but you’ll want to be comfortable with the "city" sounds of the nearby fire department and ambulance routes to the hospital.

Living on Clinton Place means you're choosing character and value over the "cookie-cutter" luxury of the new Main Street developments. You get the walkability of a city with the backyard potential of the suburbs. It's a weird, hybrid lifestyle that somehow works.