Green suburban lifestyles just 20 miles east of New York
The idyllic North Jersey suburb of Montclair is not just known for an abundance of green spaces – it’s also a cultural hotspot with a trendy arts and culinary scene, boosted by Montclair State University. Montclair’s name, meaning “clear mountain” in French, references its location on the cliffs of North Jersey’s iconic Watchung Mountains. Montclair originated as a rural hamlet once visited by George Washington, but it has only grown in size and significance since then. The development of commuter links with the New York metropolitan area – which is 20 miles east – continues to attract homebuyers who want a quiet, yet vibrant and historic town.
You can spot the first hints of spring in Montclair from a bird's-eye view.
Walking path at Anderson Park
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Red Hawk Diner is a fun throwback
As both a college town and a commuter hub, Montclair is brimming with activities and shops for residents to explore. “Church Street, one of the most frequented areas of town, is full of retail and dining, and is a lovely place to be for socializing,” says Jones. Here, one can enjoy a unique combination of weeknight fun and weekend tranquility. “It is somewhat casual on the weekend, but, on a summer evening, its walkways are jumping,” Jones continues. “There’s a university, so you’ll find college students downtown, while families from all over come out to events and the dining scene. It’s a very diverse area.” Among Montclair’s greatest features is its abundance of restaurants, says Jones. “In Montclair, there’s a pretty extended stretch down Bloomfield Avenue that will have excellent dining establishments.” One of the most unique eateries is the De Novo European Pub, whose decorative interior is just as eclectic as this restaurant’s combination of Italian and French dishes. Another iconic restaurant is the Red Hawk Diner, founded in 2001 as the first and only diner to operate on a college campus. For a sweet treat, residents can pick up some ice cream from the historic Applegate Farm stand, a business in operation since 1848. Acme Markets offers a grocery stop near the stand.
The Red Hawk diner is a favorite with students at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.
High demand for colonials, Victorians and Tudor-style homes
Picturesque homes of many styles line Montclair’s streets, from colonials and Victorians and Tudor-style homes to more recently built midcentury residences and condominiums. “From a budget standpoint for a buyer, this is a higher-end market, with prices ranging from $800,000 into the millions,” says Corey Jones, a Coldwell Banker real estate agent who calls Montclair the mecca of New Jersey suburbs. “What it does provide you with, however, is seven train stations, highly rated schools, and a half-hour drive into New York City without traffic. It gives you everything you want for someone who is a commuter or just wants close proximity to the city.” Streetscapes are quintessentially suburban with sidewalks and tastefully decorated lawns mixing flower beds, hedges and ornamental trees, while condo units present a slightly more urban feel. And, if one is willing to dig a bit, properties in the $500,000 to $600,000 range can be found – not just condos, but renovated colonials originally built in the 20s and 30s.
Montclair also has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from the scenery of the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens to the wooded pathways of Anderson Park. Several smaller parks cluster around the commercial intersection of Walnut and Grove Streets, offering athletic fields and facilities, like a swimming pool. Glenfield Park brings the playground fun, while Montclair Golf Club on the west end is known for offering variety, thanks to four unique 9-hole courses.
An example of a well maintained Tudor style home in Montclair, NJ.
Montclair NJ offers a wide variety of traditional single family homes.
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Montclair High offers an extracurricular extravaganza
Edgemont Elementary presents a stately face with red brick and white classical columns. Niche gives the school an A-minus overall. The school has an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Buzz Aldrin Middle is named for the iconic astronaut who was a Montclair resident. It also receives an A-minus. Montclair High School is frequently used as a site for filming shows and movies, and it has a massive number of clubs for students to pick from – over 100, in fact. Niche awards an A overall.
Montclair High School is a well rated public high school in Montclair, NJ.
Montclair High School serves students in the Montclair Center neighborhood.
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Variety can be found at Montclair Golf Club
Montclair also has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from the scenery of the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens to the wooded pathways of Anderson Park. Several smaller parks cluster around the commercial intersection of Walnut and Grove Streets, offering athletic fields and facilities, like a swimming pool. Glenfield Park brings the playground fun, while Montclair Golf Club on the west end is known for offering variety, thanks to four unique 9-hole courses.
Multiple ways to reach New York City
With both a train station and easy access to the Garden State Parkway, Montclair residents are in an ideal situation to commute into New York City. Rail commuters can expect anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes during morning hours. Drivers can reach Manhattan in about 30 minutes. Buses can be picked up along Bloomfield Avenue, one of the neighborhood’s most important east-west corridors lined with eateries, small shops and the Montclair Art Museum.
Commuters will welcome the direct connection to Penn Station from Montclair, NJ.
On average, homes in Montclair, NJ sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Montclair, NJ over the last 12 months is $1,300,000, up 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
