Why Buy in Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County, New Jersey is made up of some of
the best communities in the nation such as
Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Bloomfield, Cedar
Grove, West Orange, South Orange, Maplewood, The
Caldwell’s, and Essex Fells, N.J. People buy homes
here– not only for the fine residential
neighborhoods - but for its proximity and wonderful
access to New York, great school systems, cultural
diversity, first class dining, trendy shops,
entertainment and cultural facilities, scenic
beauty, large parks and recreational amenities.
Essex County is a major draw for people who work in
New York City. Manhattan is within 11-15 miles and
is accessible by NY midtown direct train service
from Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, South Orange
and Maplewood. It’s accessible by bus from every
community and by car via Route 3, Rte 280, Rte 46 or
The Garden State Parkway.
This region is a true jewel where you’ll find
beautiful historic homes with various types of
architecture, serene neighborhoods and lively and
historic town centers. Within the county (primarily
in Montclair, Verona, West Orange and South Orange)
is Eagle Rock Reservation - a magnificent 400+ acre
protected forest reserve and recreational park with
bridle paths and hiking trails as well as some
breathtaking views of Manhattan. There are other
large nature preserves including Mills Reservation,
Hilltop Reservation, South Mountain Reservation, the
Lenape Trails and many small preserves tucked into
leafy neighborhoods everywhere. You might just buy a
home that backs up to one of them.
The county is a pulsating hub for the arts and
boasts several large performance venues with
national acts such as NJPAC in Newark, the Wellmont
Theater in Montclair, the Oskar Schindler Performing
Arts Center in West Orange, the South Orange
Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and The Papermill
Playhouse in nearby Millburn. There are dozens of
small theater companies, as well. Many New York
actors, musicians, directors, writers and producers
call Essex County home and they give back to their
communities. Essex County high schools are all well
known for the caliber of their play and musical
productions - owing to the amount of talent and
guidance they get from professional parents and
staff.
Quality sports programs are a major element of life
in Essex County, N.J. In addition to school based
programs, the community centers are top tier. There
are also major ice arenas, equestrian centers, golf
courses, and many NCAA feeder programs like the
Montclair Marlins Swim Club. We’ve had more than our
fair share of Olympians and professional athletes,
too. The New York Football Giant’s and the New
Jersey Devil’s are a stone’s throw away by car or
public transportation. In fact, many of the athletes
live here. Montclair even has its own minor league
baseball team and state-of-the art stadium - which
is home to the New Jersey Jackal’s.
The Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange (next to Governor
Codey Ice Arena) is an enormous draw for its exotic
animals such as bison, llamas, emu, cougars, wolves,
bear, peacocks, penguins, monkeys, reptile house,
real live children’s train and enormous carousel,
pony rides, snack bars, outdoor picnic area and
playground.
The Montclair Art Museum is one of the most
influential museums in the state with recent
exhibits including Andrew Wyeth and Cezanne.
The county is also home to very prestigious
hospitals and universities including St. Barnabas
Medical Center (in the top 5% of hospitals in the
country), the acclaimed University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey, the Kessler Institute for
Rehabilitation - where patients come from across the
globe for treatment, Seton Hall University and
Montclair State University which was recently voted
#54 on Forbes Magazine’s 2009 list of Best Public
Colleges in the nation. There are myriad choices for
private preparatory schools, as well.
The physical aesthetic of Essex County town centers
is idyllic. Most of them have charming historic
villages for an incredible shopping and dining
experience. There are many outstanding restaurants -
with chefs coming out of Manhattan – that have been
rated Good and Excellent by The New York Times.
Beautiful beaches, skiing, and the Delaware Water
Gap are all within one hour to the south, west and
north. Essex County, New Jersey truly has it all.
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