Once a vacation spot, Plainfield is now a commuter hub
Placed between mountains to the northwest and Newark Bay to the east, Plainfield isn’t all that plain. It’s nicknamed “The Queen City” of New Jersey, making it more than just a commuter community of New York City. In the past, it was a vacation spot for the elite who wanted fresh air. These days, Plainview is a hub of its own. The city's government and Board of Education are big local employers, as are large retailers, like the Home Depot in South Plainfield. Many commute an hour to Manhattan for work, but city officials are finding unique ways to make train travel part of the local experience. “Behind the Plainfield train station we're building a pedestrian plaza,” says Jazz Clayton-Hunt, director of Plainfield’s Communications & Media Division. “We envision it like a restaurant row, where you just hop off the train and eat. This is part of our transit-oriented development plan."
Plainfield is known for its history, so these new developments will bring balance to the town by adding modern amenities. “We have housing stock that’s unparalleled across New Jersey, and 10 historic districts that boast stately Victorians,” says Clayton-Hunt. “But local governments have been called upon by the state to cover a housing shortage, and the city is growing alongside the residential development taking place. We are developing new spaces for our community to eat, hang out and create great memories." Nearly 55,000 people live in the city, and the median age is 33.
One of the central areas of Plainfield displaying the old church.
Art work is displayed on the walls in Plainfield's Queen City Coffee Roasters.
Shakespeare Garden in Plainfield was set to recreate the feel of an English Garden during Shakespeare's time.
Fun and fitness are inseparable at the joyous Zumba Fitness By D&C in Plainfield, NJ.
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Sleepy Hollow and Netherwood Heights among most popular neighborhoods
Certain neighborhoods have become synonymous with the vibe of Plainfield: historic, unique and even a bit quirky. “If a homebuyer is considering Plainfield, it’s likely that they at least want to check out Sleepy Hollow,” says Joseph Burris, a Realtor with EXP Realty who has sold homes in the area for nearly 30 years. The neighborhood is known for its Victorian architecture. Netherwood Heights is another neighborhood that gets attention for being full of single-family properties. “Old homes but well kept, quiet, with big trees lining the street,” says Burris. One of the primary draws to Plainfield as a whole, though, is lower prices compared to neighboring locales like Westfield. A multi-million-dollar mansion in Westfield, for example, might go for $800,000 on Plainfield’s east end, Burris says. Another draw is space. “The houses are not always close together. You can get an acre lot, and have three floors and a full basement, and not see neighbors unloading groceries,” says Tania Center, a Realtor with Keller Williams who has sold over 100 homes in Plainfield.
Houses also come with features hard to find anywhere else. “There’s a house in town with a bowling alley in its basement,” says Center. “Mine has a heart-shaped swimming pool in the backyard. I’ve seen other properties where they have tiny hidden staircases that servants were supposed to use. You have to realize that many of the homes are 100 years old or more.” And then there’s the west side of Plainfield: A bit more densely developed, with multi-family units coming to the forefront. The median price of a home in the city is $465,000 compared to the national median of $416,000.
Classical homes meet with some newer houses in this area of Plainfield.
Plainfield's Netherwood section features some spectacular homes.
Sleepy Hollow is the section this classic colonial was found in Plainfield.
A storybook looking home in Plainfield's Sleepy Hollow.
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Renovation on the horizon for Planfield recreation centers
One of the biggest projects that city officials are focused on is the rehabilitation of Plainfield’s recreation centers. Next year the city plans to break ground on the Center of Excellence, which will renovate a former YMCA to include basketball courts, a competition-sized swimming pool, a walking trail, a simulated golf course and a fitness center. There will also be classrooms for educational workshops and vocational pursuits. In spring 2025, the new Rushmore Recreational Complex will be completed with concession facilities and a large spray park, among other amenities. A former warehouse on North Avenue is being converted into a pickleball and rollerskating park, and it too will have food options, leading the complex to be named Chicken and Pickle. Milt Campbell Field is an expansive green space for those who want to enjoy their recreation on some grass. It has a playground plus facilities for basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer. Seidler Field has similar amenities but also includes an outdoor swimming pool.
Milton Campbell Field playground and swings in Plainfield.
Rushmore Recreational Complex, located in Plainfield, NJ, has multiple basketball courts.
Milton Campbell Field in Plainfield, NJ, has unique benches stating 'Parks Make Life Better'.
A look-down view of the athletic field at Rushmore Recreational Complex in Plainfield, NJ.
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Plainfield High earns a C-minus
Locals will say that public schooling is another aspect that Plainfield needs to focus on, in order to boost the city’s profile. Students can start at Evergreen Elementary, which covers kindergarten through fifth grade. It receives a D-plus from Niche. Students can then go to Hubbard Middle, which also scores D-plus. Plainfield High is rated C-minus and has a 15-to-1 student teacher ratio. Private school options include the Koinonia Academy, a Catholic institution covering pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Evergreen Elementary School in Plainfield houses grades K-5, and has over 660 students.
Plainfield's Hubbard Middle School is for grades 6-8 and has almost 750 students.
Plainfield High School has 1,831 Plainfield students in grades 9 through 12.
Children at play outdoors on a winters day at Koinonia Academy, Plainfield, NJ.
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Musical events and cultural cred give the city an edge
Plainfield has some claim to fame when it comes to music history. Jazz pianist Bill Evans was born here. George Clinton, leader of the band Parliament Funkadelic, grew up in the area, too. In 2022, the city created Parliament Funkadelic Way, which compliments the band mural on a local train station. When one of the members recently passed away, Realtor Tania Center hosted the others. “They stayed at my house for a week,” she says. “They were having jam sessions in my living room.” Speaking of music, the Annual House Music Festival is one of the city’s biggest events – and has continued to grow throughout the years. House music DJs are the focus, but there are also food vendors and fireworks. The event happens in September, and city officials have documented visitors arriving from seven states. “Around 5,000 to 6,000 people would come when we hosted it in Milt Campbell Park,” says Clayton-Hunt. “We’ve since moved it to Cedar Brook Park and had over 10,000 people in attendance.” Just before the music fest is another annual blockbuster. “Every year on the third Saturday in August we close North Avenue behind the Plainfield train station and turn the area into a block party,” says Clayton-Hunt. “Over 3,000 people will come out for The Queen City Street Fair.”
Rhythm and Blues by the Brook Festival is a spectacular event in Plainfield, NJ.
Queen City Arts Festival has a wide range of art, including painting, photography and more.
Plainfield House Party is a fun afternoon for everyone involved.
There is amazing talent to be seen at the Queen City Arts Festival in Plainfield.
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Nearby cities offer retail therapy, but small gems can be found here
Many Realtors say Plainfield’s retail scene is still getting back on its feet after a midcentury heyday, when large department stores and restaurants would fill downtown with shoppers and diners. But there are still special spots. “The Queen City Coffee Roasters is one of the city’s hidden gems,” says Clayton-Hunt. “In the summer they put out umbrellas to sit under, and the inside feels a bit like a New York City café.” A strong Latino community downtown also brings international flavor to the dining scene. But many locals also say that the surrounding towns fill consumer needs. “People will go to Cranford, Scotch Plains or Westfield,” says Russo. “Downtown Elizabeth has a lot of businesses and is walkable,” says Romina Scandroglio, a Realtor with Keller Williams Metropolitan, speaking of the city just 10 miles east.
Latte art is carefully constructed at the famous Queen City Coffee Roasters in Plainfield.
You can explore the real taste of Peru on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield at Punto Peruano.
Service with a smile at La Union Bakery, an Ecuadorian speciality bakery in Plainfield.
Pete's Fish Market is a popular old-school seafood retailer in Plainfield, NJ.
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Commuters reach New York City by train or interstate
It takes about an hour for commuters to drive the 25 miles to New York City, thanks to Interstate 78. Train travel is also popular. There are two stations in Plainfield, and commuters use the Raritan Valley line. Local buses can be picked up on often-used thoroughfares, like Front Street.
Police saw a downward trend in overall crime numbers
According to data from Plainfield police, overall crime declined nearly 10 percent in 2022 from 2021.
Mario Aristizabal is a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of experience. Throughout his career, Mario has excelled in rentals, property management, residential sales, private asset management, REOs, and investor relations. Known for his expertise and commitment to client satisfaction, Mario is a trusted advisor in navigating the complexities of real estate transactions.
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