Cranford

Cranford is a tight-knit community through and through. From neighborhood block parties, weekend community-wide events and a strong emphasis on supporting local restaurants and shops, the entire town is one big home.

"It's very appealing [to live in Cranford] because of the good commute into New York City and it has so many restaurants," says Maura Dey, a Realtor with Sage Realty Group LLC.

Housing

While Cranford is a close option to New York City, it's also not far from the Jersey Shore area. Neighborhood dwellings tend to date back to the 1920s, with more storybook structure luxury homes near the river and more condensed housing on the other side of town.

"Homes tend to be slightly less expensive than nearby South Orange, Maplewood and Montclair," Dey said. Homes in Cranford tend to start in the mid $300,000s, with some creeping past the $1 million mark.

Education

Ahead of attending Cranford High School, students can audition for one of six career academy tracks within the performing arts department. The six study tracks are acting, dance, vocal music, technical theater, interdisciplinary arts and instrumental music.

Wanting to finish your college degree, learn something new or change your career enroll at Union College. The public community college is conveniently located minutes from downtown Cranford.

Eat, Shop, Play

Cranford is all about local, independently owned eateries and shops. "Riverside Inn is a cute, well-loved place of the town," Dey said, where families gather for classic pub fare. Downtown Cranford's sidewalks make it easy to walk to many places, like Café Paris, where you must try the beloved savory buckwheat crepes and sweet crepes filled with fresh fruit. You can't go wrong with a classic cheeseburger at The Cranford Hotel Restaurant and Pub. Sneakerheads can buy, sell and trade pre-owned and fresh kicks at 908. All on the same downtown block, you can drop off your dry cleaning, get a new hairdo and pick up prescriptions. Catch a classic film or a big-screen flick at the Cranford Theater, a two-screen movie house.

"The Nomahegan Park system is amazing and is well used by everyone in town," Dey said. Cranford has roughly 415 acres of parkland. Within Nomahegan Park, you'll find neighbors walking and jogging on the paved 2-mile trail and a 13.5-mile bike trail connects most of Cranford's sprawling greenery to downtown. There are six pillars in the town's 9/11 Memorial Park, memorializing the six Cranford residents who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. Part of the Rahway River Parkway system runs through Cranford. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the mastermind behind Central Park, these 950 acres of woods and parks span several Union County neighborhoods along the Rahway River.

Take advantage of Cranford's river access by spending an afternoon on the water. At the Cranford Canoe Club, you can rent a kayak or canoe for two hours at a time. The town's longtime nickname is "The Venice of New Jersey" because people living along the river used to travel by boats and canoes.

Community

Dreyer Farms, the last vegetable farm in Cranford, let alone Union County, is open from mid-March to Christmastime each year. A family-run farm for centuries, Dreyer Farms has a seasonal community supported agriculture program where residents can receive fresh vegetables and fruits weekly. Dreyer's Farm is a must-visit, Dey said. "They have homemade pies, homemade foods," Dey added. "It's a very niche type of thing."

Peruse the nearly 100,000 titles at the Cranford Public Library or stay awhile for an activity, like trivia night or storytime yoga. The library screens a recent, popular movie on the first Wednesday of each month.