Packanack Lake Relocation Guide
Thinking about making the move? Packanack Lake in Wayne, NJ is a hidden gem offering small town charm, strong community vibes, and amazing lake amenities, all within commuting distance of New York City.
Living in Packanack Lake feels like coming home to something you didn’t even know you were missing!
It’s the kind of place where kids still ride their bikes. Where neighbors wave hello and the rhythm of daily life is set by the sound of a golf swing off the first tee or a fishing line cast into the lake.
Packanack is a true community, not in the vague, buzzword way, but in the real sense. The kind where someone will drop off soup when you’re sick. Where your kids will learn to sail and summer evenings end with lakefront movie nights under the stars. Friday nights are for adult kickball league while kids play freely in Kilroy field. Where you catch up with your neighbor on the beach while your kids turn sand into castles.
And somehow, even with all this small-town magic, you're still seamlessly connected to the city. With easy access to NJ Transit, you can wake up to birdsong and lake breezes, and still make it into Manhattan in time for your first meeting.
There’s something sacred about this neighborhood. You feel it in the stillness of the water at sunset. In the laughter echoing from the golf club on summer evenings. In the way generations of families stay, return, or come back just to reminesce.
Living in Packanack isn’t just about owning a home. It’s about belonging to a place, to people, to something deeper. This is the kind of life you can build memories on. This is Packanack Lake. And once you’ve lived here, nothing else quite compares.
Why You’ll Love It Here
Packanack Lake is a neighborhood where charm lives in every corner, from cozy, character-filled capes nestled on quiet streets to stunning lakefront homes with panoramic water views. It’s the kind of place where kids still play outside until dusk, riding bikes with friends, casting lines into the lake, and exploring the world around them with a sense of wonder. Life here moves with the rhythm of the seasons, marked by year-round events that bring neighbors together — from summer regattas and outdoor concerts to fall festivals, holiday celebrations, and everything in between.
Neighborhood Events
Community Garage Sale
Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Pics
(And a special trek thru Packanack on the 51’
MACK truck driven by our very own Fire Co. #5)
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Annual Fish & Chips Fundraiser
Summer Kick Off Beach Party
Summer Recreation Program for Pre-K to 8th grade for 6 weeks
Rock The Beach (Music & Dancing)
Packanack Family Day
Movie Nights at the Beach
Rockoterfest (Music Festival)
Holiday Lights Display at East Beach
Holiday Cocktail Party
Annual Wreath Making Event
Santa Landing (by Helicopter) & Breakfast
Neighborhood Groups & Clubs
Mothers Club
Garden Club
Angler Club
BBQ Club
Bridge Club
Leisure Club
Yacht Club
Youth Club
Swim Club
Fitness Club (Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp)
Book Club
Athletic Association
Schools
Wayne Valley High School is a highly rated public school with 1,235 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. The school ranks #110 out of 430 public high schools in New Jersey and holds an A− overall grade on Niche.
These schools are part of the Wayne Township Public School District, which is known for its commitment to academic excellence and community involvement. They have a strong commitment to academic excellence, stellar sports programs, and extracurriculars including the arts, band and chorus. For more information, you can visit the district's website: Wayne Township Public Schools.
Packanack Elementary School
Grades PK–5
Packanack Elementary is a highly rated public school with 412 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. It ranks #2 out of 93 public elementary schools in Passaic County and holds an A− overall grade on Niche.
George Washington Middle School
Grades 6–8
Serving approximately 489 students, George Washington Middle School boasts a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. The school is ranked #3 among 59 public middle schools in Passaic County and holds an A− overall grade on Niche.
Wayne Valley High School
Grades 9-12
Wayne Valley High School is a highly rated public school with 1,235 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. The school ranks #110 out of 430 public high schools in New Jersey and holds an A− overall grade on Niche.
Local Businesses
In Our Very Own Neighborhood:
Full Blown Beauty Salon & Esthetician
Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
Dazzle Candy Boutique
Packanack Bakery
Super Foodtown
Blossom Asian Bistro
Walgreens
Sweet Kitchen (Coming 2025)
Pide & Co
Jennifer Nails
Sound Exchange Music Store
Grandma’s Pizza
In Wayne:
Willowbrook Mall
Variety of Diners and Restaurants (200+)
Gyms (Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, UFC Gym, Retro Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, F45 Training, Jersey Barbell, Club Pilates)
Food Stores (Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Aldi)
Salons (Moxie, Ulta, Fierce, David Ezra, The Gallery and more)
Recreation (SkyZone Trampoline Park, Cinemark, AMC, James W. Roe Memorial Pool, Wayne Township Community Center, Ice Vault (ice skating rink), Reloaderz (shooting range)
Wayne Farmer’s Market (Saturdays)
Commuter Info
Approximately 45 minutes to NYC via NJ Transit from Mountain View or Wayne Transit Center. To get from Wayne, NJ to New York City by bus, take the NJ Transit bus 164 from the Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. The trip takes approximately 37 minutes and departs every 20 minutes. The fare is between $7 and $55. You can also take the 324 bus from the Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
To plan your trip and get specific times, visit the NJ Transit website. NJTransit.com
Convenient access to Routes 23, 46, 287 and 80
Insider Info
HOA dues range from $482.50-$922.50/year (5 plus family members) 10% Senior Discount on ages 67 and up. There is a $1200 one time initiation fee.
Get involved! It's easy to make friends through clubs and events
Join the Moms Club or sports teams for the kids
Summers are magical on the lake, think paddleboarding, sailing, and Friday night socials
Homes sell fast, so work with someone who lives here and knows the neighborhood inside out! Like me!
I’ll be your neighbor and the local real estate specialist behind #XOPackanack. I don't just sell homes here, I live here, love it, and help others find the same magic. As a 20+ year resident, I have raised my 3 children here. I’m on the board of the Mother’s Club and my husband is the local PGA Professional at Packanack Golf Club. I have all the inside information. I can show you around our town and community and show you all that Packanack and Wayne has to offer. Ask me any questions. I’m not just familiar with the lifestyle — I live it every day.
