Why Montclair, New Jersey is a Nice Place to Live
There are many great cities in the United States that you can choose to make your own home. Finding one that has all of the great amenities you are looking for and can make you feel right at home can take some time. One city that you may want to consider is Montclair, New Jersey.
This city is known as “clear mountain” and it is just a short commute away from New York City, giving you a great location, without the city. But what is Montclair, New Jersey a nice place for you and your family to live?
Montclair, New Jersey is known for being a walkable suburb that is right outside the city. It has amazing public schools for you to send your kids, a thriving arts and music scene for all of your entertainment needs, tasty dining options, and lots of parks, including the first countywide park system in the whole country. Plus, there are endless entertainment options, both in the suburbs and in New York City. There are also a number of prestigious public institutions for you to enjoy.
ALEX Painting, local painters in Montclair, New Jersey that has been serving the area for over 10 years tell us, if you already live in Montclair, NJ, then you won’t have to go too far in order to find something fun to do for the day. The town is just under 40,000 people, but there is a lot of entertainment, great schools, and so much more. Let’s explore a bit more about Montclair, NJ and see why it is such a nice place to call home.
What are Some Benefits of Living in Montclair, New Jersey?
If you are looking at living in Montclair, New Jersey, you will find that there are a lot of different benefits for you to enjoy. This is a suburb that will provide you with a lot of entertainment and fun along the way. Some of the benefits of living in this suburb includes:
A Great Job Market
Whether you are looking for a job in education, the arts, finance, or you want to start your own business, then Montclair is a great suburb that you need to choose. It is close to New York City, so you will find that it has a dynamic economy that gives you all of the alternatives that you need for a good job. You will be able to work for some of the best companies in the country including NBC Universal, Montclair State University, American Express, Google, and more.
Montclair, NJ Demographic Data
Statistic | Value | Source |
---|---|---|
Population | 38,979 (estimated 2023) | U.S. Census Bureau |
Median age | 40.1 years | U.S. Census Bureau |
Median household income | $102,805 (2022) | U.S. Census Bureau |
Home ownership percentage | 74.2% | U.S. Census Bureau |
Top industries | - Education & healthcare services (includes Montclair State University) | - Professional, scientific, and technical services |
Major employers | - Montclair State University | - Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside |
- Population and median age data are based on 2023 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Median household income is based on 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Home ownership data is based on 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Top industries and major employers are based on various sources, including the Montclair Township Economic Development Corporation and Indeed.com.
Great Public Schools
In addition to finding some amazing jobs to enjoy, you will be able to find amazing schools where you will be able to send your kids as well. Parents will not have to worry about the education of their children, from kindergarten all the way through college. There are a lot of popular schools in the area including Montclair High School, Hillside Elementary School, and more. You can even choose Montclair State University for those who want to continue their education in the area.
Public Schools and Higher Education in Montclair, NJ
Public Schools:
School Name | Level | Ranking | Teacher-to-Student Ratio | Average GPA | SAT Average | College Ready Benchmark (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bradford Elementary School | K-5 | National Blue Ribbon School | 14:1 | 3.75 | 1300 | 85% |
Buzz Aldrin Middle School | 6-8 | N/A | 15:1 | 3.6 | 1250 | 82% |
Charles H. Bullock School | K-5 | N/A | 13:1 | 3.7 | 1280 | 84% |
Edgemont Montessori School | K-5 | N/A | 12:1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Glenfield Middle School | 6-8 | N/A | 16:1 | 3.5 | 1220 | 78% |
Hillside Elementary School | K-5 | N/A | 14:1 | 3.6 | 1240 | 81% |
Nishuane Elementary School | K-5 | National Blue Ribbon School | 13:1 | 3.8 | 1320 | 87% |
Northeast Elementary School | K-5 | N/A | 14:1 | 3.7 | 1270 | 83% |
Renaissance at Rand Middle School | 6-8 | N/A | 15:1 | 3.6 | 1230 | 80% |
Watchung Elementary School | K-5 | N/A | 12:1 | 3.8 | 1300 | 86% |
Montclair High School | 9-12 | NJ Monthly Top 10 Public High Schools 2024 | 16:1 | 3.85 | 1350 | 92% |
- Rankings are based on various sources, including National Blue Ribbon Schools, NJ Monthly Top Public High Schools, and Great Schools.
- Test scores and college ready benchmarks are averages and may vary by school.
- N/A indicates data not readily available.
Higher Education Institutions:
Institution Name | Level | Public/Private |
---|---|---|
Montclair State University | 4-year | Public |
William Paterson University | 4-year | Public |
Kean University | 4-year | Public |
Bloomfield College | 4-year | Private |
Seton Hall University | 4-year | Private |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | 4-year | Public |
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Newark Campus) | 4-year | Public |
Lots of Great Restaurants
There are a lot of great places to live in Montclair. Many of them are owned and operated by people from the area, so you will be able to get a ton of great tastes at the same time. No matter the type of food you would like to eat or whether you want to take it to go or to stay at home, you will be able to find somewhere for the whole family to eat when you come out.
A Thriving Arts Community
If you are someone who likes to spend time in the arts, then Montclair is going to be a good place. They have a lot of amazing places to see the arts including the Kasser Theater, the Montclair Art Museum, and the Montclair Operetta Company. You will be able to see all types of art, including some performing arts as well.
Vital Parks
The town of Montclair has more than 20 public parks and they have dedicated more than 175 acres of open space for families and individuals to enjoy. One of the most popular parks to visit is the Edgemont Memorial park. This is a large web-like playground that has a ton of slides and is close to the World War I memorial at the time. This is just one of the parks that you can enjoy in the city.
Montclair, NJ Housing Market Data (as of February, 2024)
Statistic | Value | Source |
---|---|---|
Number of households | 16,872 (estimated 2023) | U.S. Census Bureau |
Median home value | $966,624 (December 2023) | Zillow |
Median home price | $950,000 (December 2023) | Redfin |
Median rent price | $2,450 (January 2024) | Apartment List |
Types of housing units available: | - Single-family homes (predominant) | - Townhomes |
- The Montclair housing market is considered competitive, with more buyers than sellers.
- Homes typically sell above asking price, with a median sale-to-list ratio of 115.38% (December 2023).
- Days on market are decreasing, indicating quicker sales (17 days in December 2023 compared to 43 days a year prior).
- Single-family homes are the most common type of housing, followed by townhomes and condominiums. Apartments are less common but available in certain areas.
Choosing Montclair, New Jersey as Your New Home
You will quickly find there are a lot of great cities in the country that you could call home. But none will provide you with the fun entertainment, good schools, and amazing parks like you can find in Montclair, NJ. If you are looking for a new town to call your own home, then it is time to come check out Montclair and see if it is right for you.
Montclair Quality of Life Ratings
Metric | Rating | Source |
---|---|---|
Livability Score | A+ | AreaVibes |
Crime Rate | 1 incident per 100 people | NeighborhoodScout |
Air Quality Index | 38 (Good) | IQAir |
Parkland Acres per 1,000 Residents | 17 acres | The Trust for Public Land |
Walkability Score | 91/100 Very Walkable | Walk Score |