Great Houses, Great Trees, Progressive Populace
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7/17/2006
We moved here from NYC in '99 because you could get more for your money and the place is diverse and tolerant -- things we grew to love about living in NYC for over 12 years.
Beautiful homes in general...lots of diverse housing stock (although center-hall colonial is probably 50% of stock). Most homes are turn of the century, with some from the 50's. Some new Mc-Mansions put up recently and half of the town all ticked off about that. Mixed-used development going in center of town...new parking decks alleviating some of the parking problems but it'll certainly get bad again.
Lots of parks (that dont get much use oddly enough). Lots of old-growth trees since the town is old. Decent commute to NYC via many trainstops (five I think). Door to door is 50 minutes to an hour depending how far you live from station and how far is work from NYC stations. Mid-town direct a boon for those working in midtown (and boost to real estate prices a couple years back).
Progressive/liberal people...lots of artists and writers and banker husbands to afford the expensive real estate (houses range from $300k in 'minority' areas to $3.5MM mansions on the hill, with typical 4 Br/ 2 ba in the $700k - $1MM range).
Diversity but not exactly integrated...southeast section of town is mostly black while Upper Montclair is pretty much all white. High school is 50/50 but kids are not mixing all that much...teens joke about how high school floors are stratified...smart kids on top and thugs in the basement...sad thing is is that its not a joke, its the reality. Montclair is a magnet for well-off minorities but, sadly, there just arent enough of them in this country.
Solid museum in town; great restuarants...although most all are BYOB due to lack of liquor licenses.
Good sports teams for kids...soccer very popular and lacrosse a very solid program in the schools. Schools are good (not great, not excellent) and getting better. Plenty of private schools here too.
Like so many places, there are a lot of people in brand-new SUVs crowding Starbucks and Whole Foods...mostly housewives who are probably members of the Junior League and in-between spin-class and yoga class before heading over to one of the few nearby Country Clubs or local Swim Clubs. Meanwhile, more modest income people go to one of many local public schools.
Taxes are substantial. Typical is $1000/month for a modest home; double that if you have a large and/or trophy home in the n
Ed | Montclair, NJ