Caldwell NJ Real Estate

Located 16 miles from New York City in Essex County is Caldwell, New Jersey. Part of “The Caldwells” – Caldwell, West Caldwell, and North Caldwell – Caldwell is a lovely community with pretty neighborhoods and great amenities. It has a population just under 8,000, and is considered to be a suburb of both Newark and NYC.

History

European pioneers settled in the area in the early 18th century, moving westward from Newark or away from Bergen County. Caldwell came to be known as the “Denver of the East” for the seasonal visitors who came to enjoy the western slopes of the Second Mountain (part of the Watchung range). Besides being a tourist destination, Caldwell grew as a farming community as well. Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th U.S. President, was born here in 1837.

Shopping and Dining

There are several area shopping centers and malls in and around The Caldwells. Essex Mall is home to Marshalls, West Essex Jewelers, PNC Bank, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Carvel’s, Franco Pizzeria, and other local businesses. West Caldwell Shopping Center houses T.J. Maxx, Shop Rite, Pearle Vision, CVS, AT & T, Flair, Starbucks, and more. Willowbrook Mall includes Bloomingdale’s, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, the Apple Store, Hollister, Lord & Taylor, Old Navy, Sephora, Gap, Steve Madden, California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheescake Factory, and other brand-name stores. Livingston Mall is anchored by Lord & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s and Sears, and is home to American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, BabyGap, Express, H & M, Old Navy, Hollister, Bath & Body Works, Build-A-Bear Workshop, The Children’s Place, Verizon, Sbarro, Subway, and much more. Caldwell, West Caldwell, and North Caldwell have a plethora of local and national restaurants. Some favorites include Clover Leaf Tavern, Tony D’s Pizza, Calandra’s Italian Village, Stephanie’s, Caldwell Seafood, Hong Kong Kitchen, Forte’s, Nori, Bangkok Kitchen, and Divina’s.

Parks and Recreation

The Caldwells have an admirable supply of parks, sports fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses, an ice rink, and other recreational facilities. These include two municipal pools. Grover Cleveland Park is the 7th largest in the county, and includes more than 40 wooded acres with lighted tennis courts, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, a baseball field, playgrounds, a fishing and ice skating pond, picnic areas, and walking and jogging paths. Other neighborhood parks include Rumsey, Verona, and Memorial Parks. Eagle Rock Reservation is a more than 400-acre forest reserve and recreational park located in the First Watchung Mountain. Eagle Rock is known for its spectacular views of the New York City skyline. The reservation’s amenities include Highlawn Pavilion (a converted casino on the edge of the cliff which boasts a renowned restaurant), horseback riding, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a softball diamond.

Living

Ranked by New Jersey Monthly as the 3rd “Best Places to Live” in the state for its quality of life, cost of living, amenities, and proximity to Newark and New York City, Caldwell is a desirable place to live. The median income is approximately $60,000 for a household, and approximately $80,000 for a family. Caldwell real estate includes colonial and ranch-style homes for sale, as well as condos and townhouses. The median home price in 2011 was about $435,000. Notably, this community spends considerably more per pupil ($8,947) than the national average of $5,678 per pupil. It’s no wonder that the local schools are highly regarded.

Schools, Health, Transportation

The Caldwells are served by Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools and North Caldwell Public Schools. The K-5 schools are Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, and Wilson, Gould, and Grandview (the latter serves students through 6th). Grover Cleveland Middle School serves grades 6-8, and James Caldwell High School grades 9-12. Caldwell Schools have also received excellent GreatSchools ratings. Essex County Vocational Technical Schools have vocational programs for area students. Trinity Academy and Mount Saint Dominic Academy are nearby private schools. Caldwell College and West Essex Campus of Essex County College are the two local colleges.