100 best places to live and launch

Population: 19,699
Pro: Close to transportation hubs and universities
Con: Expensive housing

Many small communities in northern New Jersey benefit from their proximity to New York City. Lyndhurst mitigates the flip side - traffic snarls - by offering good access to public transportation.

"The local government in Lyndhurst is extremely business friendly, and the opportunities for entrepreneurship are strong," says Jim Kurkos, CEO of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce. According to Kurkos, Lyndhurst offers a strong network of service businesses, as well as a growing technology sector, especially in Web development.

Heavy Italian-American Lyndhurst still feels like a small town, with few retail or recreation options. That will change, however, when Xanadu, a $2 billion shopping and entertainment center, opens sometime in the coming year. The nearby complex is expected to create thousands of new jobs and pour tax revenues into surrounding communities. -Mina Kimes

Interactive map: Lyndhurst, N.J.
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