West Orange NJ Real Estate & Information

Nestled perfectly in the center of Essex County is the beautiful affluent community of West Orange, New Jersey. West Orange is a township with a population of more than 46,000 as of the 2010 Census. West Orange real estate is known for its eclectic mix of neighborhoods and housing types, which give potential home buyers plenty of options to choose from. Along with having a plethora of choices, West Orange residents are sure to enjoy the prime location of the township: five miles west of Newark and only thirteen miles West of New York City. West Orange real estate blends small town feel with big city opportunities and features its own brand of recreation, quality education and effective transportation.

Shopping and Dining
There are more than enough great shopping venues down the road in New York City, however shoppers should fulfill all their needs in West Orange at centers like Essex Green Shopping Center. Essex Green has familiar national chain stores, where you will be sure to find what you are looking for. Macy’s, AMC Theatres, Sears and Petco are just a few. The center also provides some tasty and satisfying meals in its multitude of eateries.

Speaking of eating, West Orange’s dining selection is likely to impress anyone looking for that particular crave-satisfying meal. Not only does West Orange have almost any type of cuisine you could think of, from Chinese to Italian to Thai, the township has highly-rated establishments of its own that could compete with some of New York’s five-star rated gems. Zagat praised Sweet Basil Café for its “creative, well prepared” New American dishes and its breakfast and brunch menu, while The Manor Restaurant has been a fixture for weddings (hosting over 10,000 since 1956) and large events due to its picturesque landscape and dream setting. Whether you want to enjoy the majesty and splendor of a place like The Manor or the quiet relaxed atmosphere of a Sweet Basil, West Orange has it.

Parks and Recreation
Another thing you don’t have to worry about when living in West Orange is figuring out how to spend your free time. Not only is the township outlined by two beautiful parks, which are South Mountain Reservation and Eagle Rock Reservation, but it has everything from its own zoo to a performing arts center. The most notable park also serves as a museum. This is the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, which houses the home laboratory of the famous inventor. After touring the peaceful grounds, visitors can actually experience Edison’s laboratory complex and see where such revolutionary inventions like the light bulb and the phonograph were conceived and developed.

Living
West Orange’s distinct neighborhoods and sections give the township a unique overall aesthetic. The main four neighborhoods that make up West Orange are Downtown, The First Mountain, Pleasantdale and the Second Mountain. The mountain sections include larger estates and Tudor style homes, whereas Pleasantdale contains Victorians and World War II-era single-family dwellings. Downtown naturally has a more urban feel and is home to business districts and local services. The overall township is made up mostly of single-family homes, but also has duplexes and condos available as well. West Orange real estate is in an ideal location – next door to the big cities, but with all the advantages and perks that a smaller community offers.

Schools, Health, Transportation
West Orange has nationally ranked schools and its own district. The West Orange Public School District is comprised of eleven schools: seven elementaries, three middle schools and one high school. West Orange High School classrooms have a student-teacher ratio of just under 12:1, allowing for much needed individual time for each student. The district itself was ranked by the Washington Post in the top 1% of the nation’s best school districts.

Large nationally renowned hospitals and medical centers are only a few miles from West Orange. In case of an emergency, residents will not have to worry. Several hospitals in other suburban communities are nearby, with major regional medical centers in Newark and New York City a short distance away.

Transportation to other suburbs and the larger cities is made easy by convenient highway access. There are many major transportation arteries that run through West Orange, including Route 280, Route 10 and Eagle Rock Avenue. Newark International Airport is also only a few miles from West Orange, so travelers will save time getting ready to take off.