Find Your Northern New Jersey Town
I help NYC-to-NJ movers and local buyers compare towns by commute, schools, and housing style. Every town here has its own character, and I'll help you find the one that fits your budget and your day-to-day.
Not sure which town is right for you?
Every town I cover, organized by county
Below is the full list of towns across the Northern New Jersey counties I serve, grouped so it is easy to browse. Towns with a full guide are linked; the rest are part of the directory as the list keeps growing.
Essex County
22 townsEssex is the state's most urbanized county and home to Newark, with the towns I serve sitting right in the middle of it. This is where most of my work, and most of my town guides, lives.
Union County
21 townsUnion is rail-friendly, with walkable downtowns like Summit and Westfield where the station sits in the middle of town. It is a great place to look when a short walk to the train matters most.
Bergen County
70 townsBergen is New Jersey's most populated county, hugging the Hudson River with a long list of commute-friendly towns. It is a good place to browse when you want options north and east of the city.
Morris County
1 townsMorris is leafier and more spread out, with more land between towns. It is where Madison sits, a walkable downtown with a one-seat rail ride to the city.
Tell me the town you're eyeing and I'll send you what your budget gets you there.
The same budget buys very different things in Bloomfield versus Summit, Montclair versus Westfield. Tell me the town you're curious about and I'll pull together real guidance on what your price range gets you there: the commute, the schools, the housing stock, and the honest trade-offs.
Rail access is the whole point
Many of the towns I cover have direct NJ Transit rail service into Penn Station or Hoboken. The system map below shows just how connected Essex County and Northern NJ are to New York City.
Want to know exactly how the rail line serves the town you're eyeing? I'll walk you through the stations, schedules, and real commute times for each option.
How the Towns Compare
Q1 2026 median sale prices – actual selling prices will vary by neighborhood, condition, and market activity.
| Town | Median Price | Commute | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | ~$600,000 | ~30–35 min to Penn Station via NJ Transit | Direct-to-NYC RailWalkable Downtown |
| West Orange | ~$695,000 | Free jitney shuttle + NJ Transit rail to NYC | Spacious LotsFree Jitney Shuttle |
| Montclair | $1,200,000–$1,400,000 | ~35–45 min to Penn Station (6 train stations) | Six Rail StationsCultural Downtown |
| Maplewood | $800,000–$1,000,000 | ~35–40 min direct to Midtown via NJ Transit | Walkable Brick DowntownDirect Midtown Line |
| South Orange | $985,000–$1,100,000 | ~35–40 min express to Penn Station via NJ Transit | Historic Gas-Lit StreetsExpress Midtown Train |
| Glen Ridge | $1,250,000–$1,300,000 | ~35–40 min direct to Midtown via NJ Transit | Historic CharacterDirect Commuter Rail |
| Nutley | $630,000–$675,000 | ~35–45 min to NYC via direct NJ Transit bus | Riverside ParksDirect NYC Bus |
| Livingston | $750,000+ | Express bus (#77) & shuttle to NYC rail | Well-Regarded SchoolsSpacious Suburban Lots |
| Madison | $700K+ | ~50–60 min direct to Penn Station via NJ Transit | Walkable DowntownOne-Seat Rail |
| Summit | ~$1,200,000 | ~40–50 min to Penn Station via Morris & Essex rail | Walkable DowntownDirect Rail |
| Westfield | ~$1,400,000 | ~55–70 min to NYC via Raritan Valley rail | Classic Main StreetGracious Homes |
| Cranford | ~$750,000–$795,000 | ~60–65 min to NYC via Raritan Valley rail | Riverfront DowntownRiverside Parks |
| Cedar Grove | ~$650,000–$735,000 | ~1 hr to NYC via NJ Transit bus | Quiet HillsidesBig Lots |
| Roseland | ~$650,000–$850,000 | ~1 hr to NYC via bus & Route 280 | Wooded StreetsSecluded Lots |
Ready to dig into the details?
Two guides walk through the process step by step, in plain language and without the jargon.
First-Time Buyer Hub
Budget, financing, inspections, and closing, explained from the very first step. Everything you need to feel confident before you make an offer.
Start HereNYC to NJ Relocation Guide
Commutes, towns, and the move from city to suburb, sorted out town by town. A realistic look at what changes and what stays close.
Read the GuideNot sure which town is right for you?
Tell me about your commute goals, your budget, and your lifestyle preferences. I'll walk you through the options and help you narrow it down – no pressure, just honest guidance.