Elizabeth

A town of many firsts (New Jersey’s first capital and the first home of Princeton University, to name just two), Elizabeth sits just outside of New York City and offers its residents history and old-school charm. The area is popular for commuting – but maintains its own identity, too. “It’s a really diverse community,” says Tamayo Oppenheimer, Realtor with Silver and Oak Realty and longtime resident of the area. “You have a lot of different cultures represented through community events and local shops.” With a blend of serene suburban vibes and urban access, Downtown Elizabeth has a little bit of both worlds. Many of the homes in Downtown Elizabeth are duplexes or multifamily units. They range from $500,000 to just over $1 million and often attract investors. Single-family homes are typically Colonial Revivals or other traditional styles that range from $475,000 to $725,000. Most of the homes have driveways and the neighborhood's streets are wide, which makes getting around easy. Diversity is one of Downtown Elizabeth’s key characteristics, and this is reflected in dining options. Rancho Mateo Colombian Steakhouse offers a buffet-style feast, while nearby Elizabethport features one of the hottest spots in the area, Del Porto Ristorante. “It’s a great place to get drinks with friends, especially with all the outdoor seating in the summertime.” For groceries, Citi Grocer is on Spring Street, in addition to local markets located throughout Elizabeth. Residents have access to Walmart and nearby, Paramus and Clifton offer a lot of additional shopping. Portugal Day has been an annual celebration in Elizabeth since 1978. Residents enjoy the parade, and thousands attend the festivities – including an arraial (outdoor feast), dance performances and local vendors. The Tour De Elizabeth is held in May and allows bikers of all ages and abilities to experience the city’s history and urban landscape. The area is part of the 36-school Elizabeth Public School District. Winfield Scott School No. 2 is the first stop for kindergarten through eighth-grade public school students. The school has been around for over 100 years and receives a C rating on Niche. Students can then head to Elizabeth High School, an A-rated magnet school known for its championship-winning varsity girls track and field team. The Jewish Educational Center Lower School is nearby and offers private education. Downtown Elizabeth has a number of parks. The largest, Jefferson Park, includes two playgrounds and public exercise equipment. Elizabeth River Trail features a popular 2-mile trail with scenic views of the water. Winfield Scott Park is home to many of the area’s local events. “The area is starting to feature more and more community celebrations,” says Ashley Ferraro, administrative secretary for Elizabeth’s Department of Recreation. “We just held our first annual harvest festival and first ever Christmas tree lighting in 2023.” Proximity to major transportation conveniences is a significant benefit for residents. Options include Route 1, Route 9, Interstate 97 and the Garden State Parkway, making travel via car or bus a straightforward matter. Locals can also easily access NJ Transit trains at the Elizabeth Station for commuting downtown. Newark International Airport is 4 miles away. The nearby transportation options of Downtown Elizabeth come with a price, thanks to noise from Newark Airport, the train station, and many roads, making the neighborhood potentially loud for residents.

Elizabethport is a historic waterfront neighborhood named for its notable location: the Elizabeth River flows into Newark Bay, and eventually the ocean. Yet despite being one of the oldest former Colonial settlements in New Jersey, this is a modern suburb. Today, residents live close to the New Jersey Turnpike, Newark Liberty International Airport and Port Elizabeth, which gives an active quality to the area. Plus, it’s only 15 miles to New York City by car, bus or train – making this port town an increasingly attractive spot for commuters. Pedro Oliveira, a local Realtor at RE/MAX, describes this bayside community as “an area where the home inventory is currently low, but it’s definitely up and coming.” The streets of Elizabethport are anchored by colonial-style houses and multi-family dwellings built in the 2000s. "Costs can rise to $800,000 for multifamily homes, which are the most popular on the market right now in Elizabethport, as buyers usually occupy one unit and rent out the other," says Oliveira. Many of the colonial homes were built during the turn of the 19th century and are priced in the $475,000 to $585,000 range. It’s common for these properties to feature five bedrooms. Most homes are built close to one another, giving a slight urban edge to the neighborhood. Instead of lawns, there are sidewalks fronted by stoops and porches, although some ornamental plantings exist here and there. The community scores a 6 out of 10 on the CAP crime index, driven robbery and vehicle theft. The national average is 4. One benefit of the food scene in Elizabethport is that restaurants and markets are evenly spread across the neighborhood, making for several walkable destinations. There are plenty of Latin American eateries, as well as bakeries and pizza places. Staying true to their ocean proximity, a variety of Elizabethport restaurants serve seafood. El Tiburon is a Peruvian restaurant surrounded by shark décor, but inside there’s a bar, music stage and extensive menu serving everything from shrimp to squid. Olga’s focuses on traditional Costa Rican cuisine served with calypso music. To the north of the neighborhood is The Mills at Jersey Gardens, also known as the Jersey Gardens Mall. There’s a food court, clothing stores and a movie theater, plus an Ikea conveniently located less than a mile away. Groceries are available in the neighborhood at Superfood Marketplace and Casablanca Supermarket. The Elizabeth Public Schools district serves students living in the neighborhood. Children have access to a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio at George Washington School No. 1. This Pre-K-8 institution receives a C rating from Niche. Older students can attend Elizabeth High School, a magnet school with an A rating. It’s known for having a campus of nine buildings that focus on various disciplines, like the Halsey Academy of Finance. The tiny Elizabethport branch of the Elizabeth Public Library system sits on Third Street, in the shadow of Saint Aldabert’s Roman Catholic Church. The library’s façade is so small, that it’s easy to miss, but inside are computers, books and craft classes. Elizabethport has diverse park spaces. Waterfront parks, for example, are popular here. Where the Elizabeth River pours into the bay, residents can cruise the boardwalk at Veterans Memorial Park and see bicyclists ride the throughway, while fishing boats and cargo ships dock at the marina. Jackson Park, on the other hand, is an inland experience located next to the elementary school. There’s a playground, but the main attraction is a network of walking paths that look onto the Immaculate Heart of Mary & Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church – an impressive Gothic structure with twin turrets. “Living in Elizabethport puts you only 20 minutes from the heart of New York City, so it can be seen as a commuter haven,” says Rosmena Desa, an Elizabeth native and Realtor at RE/MAX. “You’re also close to Newark Airport, the train station, several bus stops and Interstate 95 that runs north and south." She also points out that this port neighborhood has plans for a ferry out of the marina to the New York City pier of lower Manhattan, which will help Elizabethport continue to develop into a more populated residential suburb with commuting advantages. Walkability is also an appeal to Elizabethport, with most homes fronted by sidewalks that lead to parks and eateries. Buses run along First Street, an east-west corridor that spans the length of the neighborhood.

Elmora is a quiet, residential neighborhood made up of house-lined streets. One major thoroughfare, Elmora Avenue, has sporadically placed nail salons, convenience stores, an occasional ice cream shop and plentiful gas stations. Historically, it has been divided between the residential district splaying out from Elmora Avenue and the desirable Elmora Hills section at the westernmost tip of Elmora and Elizabeth. Why do homebuyers want to move to here? “People move to Elmora for its family-sized homes and really good, blue-ribbon schools,” says Michael Martinetti, licensed real estate broker at Keller Williams Premiere Properties. And downtown Elizabeth is just blocks from anywhere in the neighborhood. Residents can even see the historic Art Deco Hersch Tower from Elmora’s side streets. Real estate in Elmora is made up of primarily prewar, single-family homes. Many are wood-framed construction outfitted with clapboard siding, with some brick siding outliers sprinkled throughout. “Houses here are larger and on bigger lots than those found in Elizabeth,” says Martinelli. “The average single-family home in Elizabeth is just below 2,000 square feet. Conversely, Elmora single-family homes have around 3,000 to 4,000 square feet.” A 1920s Colonial with 3 plus bedrooms fetches between $450,000 to $600,000. A Victorian-style five-plus bedroom with 6,000 plus square feet could list for between $750,000 to $1.1 million. Elmora has a large Orthodox Jewish Community. The neighborhood is home to various kosher restaurants and grocery markets – including 1 Stop Kosher Market and a kosher-certified Dunkin’ Donuts. Meanwhile, the local playground, Barrett Park, is better known as “Shabbos Park” because the park is known as a place where families spend Shabbos afternoons in spring and summer. Fully kosher community center YM-YWHA offers daycare, summer camps, senior programming and a fitness center with separate hours for men and women. In total, there are three synagogues, five yeshivas and two kolle. Family-style Latin American spot El Salvadoreño Restaurant dishes out pupusas, Cuban sandwiches and parrillada Argentina. As the name suggests, El Nacho’s Tequila Cantina is fantastic for drinks; many come for the signature mezcalina. Cool Runnings Cuisine, an eatery with a name in ode to the famous Jamaican bobsledders, serves up authentic Jamaican dishes, like oxtail roti and jerk shrimp. Meanwhile, residents venture outside Elmora to Elizabeth to unwind in Big Ben’s, a cozy neighborhood tavern with bar games, darts and a pool table. For groceries, residents can go to ShopRite, Food Bazaar or International Supermarket. Residents can start their education at Victor Mravlag School No. 2, a pre-K through grade 8 school with a B rating on Niche and a spacious, sunny library. For grades 9 to 12, residents can attend Elizabeth High School, an A-rated institution known for its athletics department and excellent college prep. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over. Warinanco Park was designed in 1925 by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect and urban planner behind New York City’s Central Park. The park contains 204 acres of grassland and foliage, a green space refuge contrasting the densely populated streets of next-door neighborhood, Elizabeth. There are many areas for recreation; visitors can stroll through the park’s famous azalea and tulip gardens, paddle boats on the Warinanco Lake and indoor ice skating at the Warinanco Sports Center. Thanks to the availability of attached garages in most of Elmora’s real estate, many residents drive their own cars. Elmora Avenue is one of Elizabeth’s most vibrant thoroughfares. Not only does it connect to Interstate 95, but also several other major roads and highways within Elizabeth. The commute to Manhattan is just 4 stops from Penn Station on New Jersey Transit Rail, about a 50-minute journey.

Sitting at the northern tip of Elizabeth and less than 20 miles from New York City, North End is a blend of culture, convenience, and serene suburban atmosphere. Whether it’s trains to New York City, access to the Newark Airport, a diverse multicultural community or a break from the city, residents of North End enjoy a variety of unique advantages. “It’s a really diverse area, with a lot of Portuguese and Spanish influence,” says Javier Matallana, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty and longtime resident of the area. “And that diversity, along with the convenience, makes the area what it is.” North End features some of the area’s more recent developments, though the neighborhood still has historic roots dating back to the post-automobile boom of the 1920s. The area was a particularly popular spot for immigrants as far as Ireland and Portugal, making the area a melting pot that still reflects its diversity to this day. The community’s homes, mostly comprised of Colonial Revivals and similar traditional styles, range in price from $375,000 to $700,000 – though it’s worth noting that the area includes many multifamily houses as well, with these prices ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. The market in the area is becoming increasingly competitive. “North End is just a very, very desirable neighborhood,” says Victor Nascimento, Realtor with Premier Properties. “You’re just a block away from everything you need.” The North End features a variety of unique restaurants, with many offering cuisines from across the world. El Fogon Paisa offers Colombian cuisine in a relaxed setting, while Algarve Barbeque is popular for to-go Portuguese barbecue. Roc’s Café is popular for its coffee and pastries, while Medina’s Deli serves up the quintessential New Jersey breakfast – a bagel sandwich and a coffee. Residents can stock up on groceries at either Citi Grocer or ShopRite, while nearby Clifton and Paramus offer retail options. Portugal Day is an annual celebration that's been held every year since 1978. Residents enjoy the brightly colored parade, along with an Arraial (outdoor feast), dance performances and local vendors. Additionally, the Tour De Elizabeth is held in May and offers bike enthusiasts and novices alike an opportunity to bike through Elizabeth's rich history. Students can begin at Robert Morris School No. 18, which serves pre-K through 8th grade and earns a Niche grade of C. High school students can finish up at Elizabeth High School, which earns an A rating from Niche and is one of nine public schools in the state to receive a Blue Ribbon from the Department of Education. Members of the Jewish community also have The Jewish Educational Center Lower School as an option, as well. Locals can enjoy the natural beauty of the area at Kellogg Park, which features a playground and spray fountains for younger residents to enjoy. Sissleman Baseball Field lets fans test their skills and put on fun community tournaments, while Elizabeth River Trail features a popular 2-mile trail with scenic views of the water. North End has its own New Jersey Transit train station that offers limited service to both Newark Airport and Penn Station. In addition, car owners have immediate access to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and more, providing a straightforward commute to Manhattan. Due to the proximity of public transportation, the highway and nearby Newark International Airport, noise can be a potential issue for residents.

Bayway’s economy grew through the oil refinery industry, but people seek out this neighborhood outside of Downtown Elizabeth for other reasons now, like a growing housing supply, access to key transportation routes, retail and park amenities. “There’s a lot of new construction coming to this area,” says Rosmena DeSa, a realtor with RE/MAX New Millenium Group. “As soon as these properties come on the market, they tend to go under contract.” There are intangible aspects attracting new residents, too: people value how Bayway is less transient than other communities. "The neighborhood is known for being a stable community," says Pedro Oliveira, a broker with RE/MAX in Action. "There is a great desire for multifamily homes in Bayway," Oliveira says. "Once settled, people stay for awhile in their homes.” There are many options within this genre, however. For example, many of these properties have colonial features with sharp gabled rooflines, covered front doors and a stocky symmetrical base. But there are slightly Victorian stylings, too, with bay windows and taller, elongated profiles. A four-bedroom version can cost $550,000. “It’s attractive to first-time homebuyers,” says DeSa. “These can go fast, too, if they’re in good shape.” Meanwhile, six-bedroom versions are priced in the upper $600,000s. It’s the seven-bedroom or eight-bedroom homes that take buyers into the $700,000 to $800,000 range. Many of these feature vinyl siding, but some are brick. Overall, though, homebuyers should know most of these homes were built around the turn of the century. Small landscaping notes like hedges and trees may be present. As for single-owner homes, these will have comparatively larger yards. Plus, being built in the 2020s they will exude a modern style with Craftsman features like stone accents. Three-bedroom newly built homes go for $700,000. Neighborhood children can attend Elizabeth Public Schools, where the educational journey begins at Woodrow Wilson School No. 19, a K-8 institution that earns a B-minus rating on Niche. Students can then move on to Elizabeth High, which earns an overall A-minus rating from Niche, including an A-minus for sports, teachers, academics and diversity. In recent years the extracurricular menu has expanded, with students establishing a robotics club where they learn about computer coding and electronics. Bayway contains many green spaces, including the triangular Caldwell Park, conveniently located a couple blocks from Washington Avenue, which has buses, eateries and Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Mattano Park, one of the most prominent outdoor recreation spots in the area, offers views of the Elizabeth River and plenty of open space to roam. It also contains a skate park, athletic fields and basketball courts. You also spend your day at your kid's soccer game or watching them try out new tricks at the skatepark. During summer, your children can cool off at the playground's spray park. At Milkosky Park and McGillvray Park are connected, offering more athletic facilities and a playground. Even though Bayway is a suburb of Downtown Elizabeth, it has a diverse restaurant scene. Latin American cuisine is strongly represented: one can find Peruvian, Colombian and Salvadoran food. There’s also Mexican, Spanish and Cuban cuisine. Many of these are clustered around Bayway Avenue, like Tiki Mojito, a Cuban restaurant with outdoor seating, extensive bar and frequent music events. Casual options include pizza places, barbeque restaurants and coffee shops. Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza has been open since 1918, serving slices from the bottom floor of a residential building. "It feels like you're eating a home cooked meal, something a grandmother would make," says Sagrario Javier, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. For groceries, many residents choose Seabra's Market and Shop Rite of Elizabeth. The Mills at Jersey Garden mall offers a movie theater and several outlets like Coach, New Balance, Levi's and Under Armour. Interstate 278 and Interstate 95 meet on Bayway’s east end, helping commuters make the roughly 18-mile journey to New York City in about 40 minutes. Bayway residents can also drive over the Goethals Bridge and be in Staten Island in minutes. For travel by plane or train, Newark International Airport and Newark Penn Station are conveniently located near Bayway. There are buses along major thoroughfares like Bayway Avenue. Route 9 intersects with this avenue, quickly leading drivers to Downtown Elizabeth. Bayway’s history can be an important consideration for prospective homebuyers. While the oil refinery industry has supported the local economy through jobs, this neighborhood operates the largest crude oil refinery on the East Coast. Numerous citations have been issued to the plant, in violation of state environmental laws. As for crime, Bayway scores a 5 out of 10 on the CAP index.

Peterstown is a suburb of Elizabeth that boomed in the 1920s as an Italian American neighborhood, but in recent decades there’s been an influx of Cubans, Portuguese, Brazilians, Puerto Ricans and other Latin Americans. It’s a popular place for a reason: a walkable grid is dotted with small locally owned eateries, while the Elizabeth River snakes along the west end and Interstate 95 hugs the east end. Houses of worship also speaks to the area’s cultural threads, whether that’s Iglesia Bautista Hispano Baptist Church or Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church. “You can find a property here for $450,000,” says Rosmena DeSa, a realtor with RE/MAX New Millennium. “The area is attracting more buyers than the inventory can keep up with.” The neighborhood’s walkability helps residents get to markets specializing in Latin products, including Global Supermarket, La Copa Supermarket and Citi Grocer, the largest of the three. “Many markets use flags on the shelves to identify food from a particular country,” says Cintia D'Urso, broker-owner of Vox Realty, who’s lived in Peterstown and has been selling real estate in the area since 2006. “If you’re from Argentina, you can find the maté quickly,” she says. Restaurants are scattered throughout, but 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue are reliable strips when searching for food. John’s Caffé Pizza & Caterers, for example, has been a standby in Peterstown since 1968. Minhoto Restaurant is a white tablecloth experience with traditional Portuguese and Brazilian dishes. Del Porto offers outdoor seating and decorative palm trees close to the harbor facing Newark Bay. “The pasta at this Italian restaurant is amazing,” D’Urso says. Late July brings the three-day Peterstown Cultural Festival – one of the biggest events of the year. It celebrates the neighborhood’s Italian American roots with crowd pleasers like brick oven pizza, but the street fair also includes music, rides, games and summer snacks like watermelon. More cultural events are hosted by the town of Elizabeth, like Portugal Day and parades for Cuba, Peru and Puerto Rico. Peterstown does feature some turn-of-the-century homes that are sold as single-owner properties, priced between $300,000 and $500,000. For example, a renovated four-bedroom home will go for nearly $450,000 – one of those appealing properties to newcomers that DeSa speaks of. But mostly this neighborhood is made up of multi-family dwellings. Pricing is largely dependent on number of bedrooms. A five-bedroom property with colonial stylings will sell for $650,000. But a brick seven-bedroom property will sell at $800,000. This is an urban neighborhood, so while some properties may have a small yard, it’s more common for them to be fronted by a sidewalk. Peterstown scores a 5 out of 10 on the CAP crime index. Hudson Elementary is a K-8 school that receives a C-minus rating from Niche. Elizabeth High receives an A-minus rating and features a robotics club that supports students in their exploration of computer programming and electronics. For hiking and biking along the water, residents take to the Elizabeth River Parkway, which tracks the western side of Peterstown. But the standout green space is Mattano Park, which contains facilities for ballplayers and skaters alike. There’s also a playground. Peterstown Community Center offers a community garden, dances and other events like cooking demos. Walkability is a key amenity in Peterstown. In less than 15 minutes, residents can easily walk from the west end parks over to the shops and restaurants along Elizabeth Avenue, which is also trafficked by buses. New Jersey Transit commuter trains are available at the Elizabeth train station, about a mile northwest of the neighborhood. This takes residents to New York City within 40 minutes, while the trip to Newark is 15 minutes. “You can even take the train to the beach in Belmar,” D’Urso says. Interstate 95 curves along the south side of the neighborhood, and Interstate 278 is another mile south. There are also plans to bring mixed use developments to the Elizabeth harbor, D'Urso says, which will boost transportation amenities. “The idea is to bring city life into Elizabeth for people who may not be able to afford New York City. The town also announced that a 25-minute ferry to Manhattan is in the works. When that happens, the housing demand may triple.”