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"Ironically, while many of my clients are NYC executives, they live in and around Bergen County," Cristiano shares. And with so much "intellectual capital sitting in Paramus," moving his practice in-state is not the "semi-retirement, go to work in golf pants it used to be," he laughs. e ability to be where his clients are located only furthers the opportunity to conveniently connect with them. According to Mr. Cristiano, "It seems e Capital Grille in Paramus has just as many financial professionals eating lunch as e Capital Grille on 51st street in NYC." Now, meetings with clients can occur with more flexibility and ease than in years past, be it in the RBC Wealth Management offices, at one of the many fine dining establishments in Paramus, or on a local golf course or tennis court. For Cristiano, a return to Paramus is particularly special as both he and his wife grew up there. Cristiano warmly recalls his upbringing, calling his childhood "a suburban experience, albeit with an urban edge" due to the convenient access to the big city. While the Paramus Park Mall sits at the forefront of some of his fondest memories, Cristiano now sees how the evolution of the shopping mall has afforded Paramus the opportunity to shi its focus. Another individual who sees that opportunity–and seizes it–is current mayor of Paramus, Christopher DiPiazza. Born and raised in the city which he now leads, DiPiazza is passionate about the changes occurring around town. "We are a town that, over the next 5-10 years, will increase population by 10-20%. Our shopping malls are changing[...]we are taking the town into the next step. We want to be invested in the change instead of waiting for another generation," he shares. A large part of Paramus' reinvention is the construction of Valley Medical Center, an outstanding hospital that will have partnerships with other prestigious medical institutions, such as Mount Sinai. "Life is going to start in Paramus," the mayor shares, as birth certificates will read Paramus, NJ once the Medical Center is completed. Growing families are drawn to Paramus not only for its prime real estate, relatively low taxes comparative to the region, doctor's offices, and of course, unparalleled shopping opportunities; the Van Saun County Park, also home to the Bergen County Zoological Park, is well- known to area children of all ages. Incredible school districts, diverse religious communities, and expanding recreational programs (a special focus for Mayor DiPiazza) all contribute to the allure of the city. As one of the top retail VUE ON | FINANCE 94 VUENJ.COM

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