Summit NJ Real Estate & Information

Located in the hills of the Watchung Reservation in Union County, Summit, New Jersey has a lot to offer: great location, a pedestrian-friendly downtown, beautiful neighborhoods and excellent schools. Just 35 minutes from New York City, Summit has a population just under 22,000.

History

Colonial settlers arrived in Summit in the early 18th century from the British Isles, New England, Connecticut, and Long Island. The area became a resort town because of its clean, mountain air and proximity to New York City, and many people built summer estates in “Hill City.” Summit was also home to the famous anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock. Looking back in history, during the late 19th century, silk weaving was a major industry; and Summit was the first to bury utility wires in 1925. By the 20th century, Summit had experienced a building boom. Mini-buses traveled through Summit, bringing commuters to and from the railroad station. Legend has it that the historic Summit Diner is the setting for Ernest Hemingway’s famous story “The Killers.”

Shopping and Dining

Part of what makes Summit unique is its very active downtown area, which is located on Springfield Avenue and neighboring streets. There are numerous clothing boutiques, art galleries, theaters, gift & book shops, home décor & furniture stores, jewelry stores, and specialty food retailers, and more. Local favorites include Apricot Lane Boutique, Dor L’Dor, Lululemon Athletica, Willow St. Boutique, The Jeannette Shop, Beautylounge, Batavia Home, and Meredith Arteriors. Other favorites in Summit are Carter & Cavero Old World Olive Oil Co., Penzeys Spices, The Papery, Helen’s Books & Gifts, The Teapot, and the Toy Professor.

The city’s restaurants include everything from casual fare to upscale dining. Some popular spots are Café Mavi-Kebab & Meze House, Summit Diner, Bona Vita Psteria, Anna’s Ristorante, Beacon Hill Tavern, La Pasteria, Roots Steakhouse, Randazzo’s, Negeen Persian Grill, Winberie's Restaurant & Bar, and the Village Trattoria of Summit.

Parks and Recreation

Summit Municipal Golf Course is a 13-acre, 9-hole course. Summit Family Aquatic Center has a 50-meter pool, two slide towers, a leisure pool, bathhouse, concession stand, picnic grove, and basketball and sand volleyball courts. Wilson Park offers 11 acres with a pair of lighted paddle tennis courts plus a ball field, basketball court, and a playground. Mabie Playground has a playground and a pair of basketball courts on two acres. Soldiers Memorial Field has ball fields, a track, tennis and basketball courts, a field house, and a playground on 25 acres. Tatlock Park is 25 acres boasting multi-sports fields, grass practice fields, a field house, lighted tennis courts, and a playground. Glenside Fields includes multi-sports fields on two acres. For music locally, The Summit Symphony provides free concerts, and the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts offers programs and events throughout the year. Reeves-Reed Arboretum has formal gardens and woodlands, and holds classes and seasonal events. Summit is also close to Millburn’s Papermill Playhouse, the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival at Drew University, and arts, culture, and recreational opportunities in nearby Newark and the surrounding area.

Living

Summit real estate is eclectic and includes everything from lovely condos to opulent estates. The predominant style is Colonial and the neighborhoods are generally named after the schools that serve them. The Brayton-Memorial Field neighborhood is located within walking distance to downtown Summit. The neighborhood includes affordable homes as well as “mini-estates,” and home prices range from $450,000 to $1,000,000. The Franklin section has winding roads with mature trees and landscaping and featuring colonial and ranch homes. Franklin also encompasses Woodland Park and Highlands. Real estate in this section ranges from $600,000 to several million dollars. Jefferson includes Briant Park, and homes for sale range from $350,000 to $600,000. Lincoln-Hubbard/Northside (also known as just Northside) neighborhood is considered one of Summit’s most prestigious areas. Northside real estate ranges upwards of $2,000,000. The Washington area is located around Summit High School, and includes Canoe Brook, Washington School, and Kent Place. There are $300,000 condos available and homes for sale from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Summit real estate also encompasses updated areas like Butler Parkway/Canoe Brook. This area is known for its broad, tree-lined streets with homes for sale from $500,000 to $850,000. Downtown Summit includes pre-war condos in historic buildings as well as new construction from $250,000 to $400,000. There are also upscale townhouses that start around $1,000,000.

Schools, Health, Transportation

Summit Public Schools serve the community, receiving accolades for their academic and cultural programs. The Elementary Schools are Jefferson Primary, Wilson Primary, Brayton, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln-Hubbard, and Washington. Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School and Summit High School serve older children. Summit High School has been ranked in the top ten in the state and as one of “America’s Best High Schools” by Newsweek. Kent Place School, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, and Oratory Preparatory School are local private schools.

Morristown Memorial Hospital, Overlook Hospital, and Saint Barnabas Medical Center support the community. New Jersey Transit provides public transportation, and the train to midtown Manhattan takes about 50 minutes (local) or 35 minutes by the express. Summit’s major arterials are Routes 24, 124, and 512, and Interstate 78. Newark Liberty International Airport is only about 12 miles away.