Bloomfield & Verona
Bordering Montclair to the east and west (respectively), Bloomfield and Verona enjoy the close proximity to Manhattan but with more attractive property taxes that have made both towns more affordable options for many buyers. Bloomfield boasts Midtown Direct train service to NYC along with several shopping areas and restaurants including Holsten’s Ice Cream, made famous as the location of the final scene in The Sopranos. Verona features a charming downtown centralized along Bloomfield Avenue and terrific town amenities including an extensive town pool and bucolic Verona Park.
Maplewood & South Orange
Located approximately 20 miles west of New York City, the “sister towns” of Maplewood and South Orange attract a large number of NYC transplants with their strong public school system, diverse, tight knit communities and easy access to the Midtown Direct train line. Maplewood’s quaint downtown area has a cozy, “village” feel while South Orange is a bit more urban, home to the renowned South Orange Performing Arts Center and Seton Hall University.
The Caldwells
Traveling further west beyond Montclair, “The Caldwells” is made up of three Essex County municipalities: Caldwell, West Caldwell and North Caldwell. Offering a wide variety of residential architecture and property size, these communities have something for everyone. The Caldwell-West Caldwell school system serves both towns while North Caldwell is served by West Essex Regional School System.