Wayne, NJ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Wayne is a New Jersey township in Passaic County. While It is only an hour outside of large, metropolitan New York City, Wayne is a quaint community surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The town has a long history dating back to the 1600s when it was first settled and was incorporated in 1847. Residents may enjoy its small-town charm and modest culture.  

Climate and Geography

The climate in the eastern part of Northern New Jersey is categorized as humid subtropical and experiences four distinct seasons during the year with hot, humid summers and cool, mild winters. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and westerly winds from the Appalachian Mountains are the primary influence on the weather in the region. On average, Wayne can expect 49 inches of rain, 24 inches of snow, and about 206 sunny days per year.  

Wayne falls right along the border of the Piedmont Plateau and the Highlands region of the Appalachians. The surrounding terrain to the east and south is mostly flat and urban as part of the New York metropolitan area, while the Highlands to the north and west are mostly made up of mountain ridges and long continuous valleys with many lakes and rivers throughout. Wayne also has several bodies of water within and along its borders including Packanack Lake, Pines Lake, Lions Head Lake, Tom’s Lake, Pompton Lake, Pompton River, and Passaic River.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Some of the top things to do in Wayne include visiting sites and landmarks like Dey Mansion, Willowbrook Mall, Ice Vault Arena, visiting parks like Terhune Memorial Park, museums like the Van Riper-Hopper House Museum, catch a show at the Shea Center for the performing arts, or play golf at the Willowbrook Golf Center. 

Manhattan, New York City's central region, can be reached in under an hour whether driving or taking public transit, meaning residents of Wayne have access to all of the culture and amenities of the famous Big Apple. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Wayne is much higher than the national average, but just above the state average, with the high cost of housing and transportation being the primary factors. While other metrics such as groceries and utilities are only slightly above average, the cost of healthcare is just below. 

New Jersey has an effective income tax rate of 1.53 percent for single filers and 3.37 percent for joint filers. Retirement income like social security benefits are not taxed while military pensions and railroad retirement benefits are fully exempt. Retiring taxpayers 62+ with income of $100,000 or less may exclude up to $60,000 of other retirement income such as pensions, annuities, IRAs, or other retirement.  

New Jersey also offers various tax break programs for retired homeowners. The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible taxpayers for property tax increases. Additionally, there is a $250 tax deduction from property taxes for homeowners 65+ with limited income. 

Health Care

There are several health care facilities that service the Wayne community. Among them are nationally ranked and high performing hospitals with specialties in a large range of procedures and conditions, as determined by U.S. News. These hospitals include Hackensack University Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, Hospital for Special Surgery, NYU Langone Hospitals, Montefiore Medical Center, all within less than a 20-mile radius.