I think the two best nuts for northern growers are chestnuts and hazelnuts. I’ve had good success with both. I’m not so interested in the named varieties, but am focused on planting lots of seedlings. They are easier to propagate, increase genetic diversity, and as far as chestnut/hazelnut, they produce nice useful nuts. I’ve seen each one begin producing as young as 3 years old.
Black walnuts and hybrid butternut/japanese walnut will be your best bets for walnuts, but they are not nearly as precocious or easy to use as chestnut/hazel.