Thinking about relocating and settling down in the suburbs? You should consider moving to Upper Montclair, NJ, one of the most picturesque North Jersey towns. Montclair is a great place to live for working professionals and families because it offers the peace of the suburbs with plenty of activities and attractions to keep you entertained.
Upper Montclair is famous for its many parks, nature preserves, and preserved 18th and 19th century architecture. First settled in the early 18th Century, it was incorporated along with Montclair Township in 1868. The name Montclair comes from the French "mont clair" which means clear or bright mountain, and Upper Montclair is known for its panoramic views of the Watchung Mountains.
Often ranked among the best places to live in New Jersey, living in Upper Montclair delivers with excellent schools, plenty of parks and museums, and a safe place to raise a family.
Upper Montclair is a census-designated place (CDP) in the northern section of Montclair, NJ, a township in Essex County, New Jersey. Although it has its own zip code, it is considered a part of the township of Montclair. Upper Montclair is the area north of Watchung Avenue and covers about 40% of the township's total area.
Upper Montclair is located about a 50 minute drive and about 21 miles from New York City. To get there from New York.
The Montclair-Boonton Line of New Jersey Transit runs through Upper Montclair and there are three stations within the CDP: Upper Montclair, Mountain Avenue and Montclair Heights. Commuters can take the train into New York or other parts of New Jersey.
The population of Upper Montclair is 13,146 according to the 2020 census, which is a 13.6% increase from the 2010 census. The population density is roughly 523 residents per square mile.
Upper Montclair is also the home of many famous residents including astronaut Buzz Aldrin and soccer player Yael Averbuch.
Upper Montclair Demographics
According to the FBI, the overall crime rate is 790 per 100,000 people, the chances of being a victim of a crime are 41.7% lower in Montclair than the rest of New Jersey and 66.3% lower than in the US in general. The township only reported 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 0 murders. As such, Upper Montclair is a very safe place to live.
The township's Montclair Police Department patrols the area and employs 130 people, including 107 officers and 23 civilians.
Many people want to know if Upper Montclair, NJ, is expensive and how much they should expect to budget when moving. While it is a high-cost area, Montclair, NJ, is an excellent place to live and offers plenty of value for your money.
The cost of living index in the greater area is 123, which is slightly higher than the statewide average of 115. However, Upper Montclair may be slightly more expensive because the median property value is nearly double the price in the rest of Essex County.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would earn $99,110 per year to live comfortably in Essex County. However, Upper Montclair is slightly more expensive due to the higher housing costs, which is why the median household income is over $200,000.
Source: Numbeo
It's also crucial to be sure you budget for bills and utilities. Montclair residents pay an average of $3,221 per month in bills, which is 60.8% higher than the national average.
According to Redfin.com, the median price of Upper Montclair houses for sale in September 2022 is $999,000, which is down by 3.5% this year. In comparison, the median price of homes for sale in the United States is $406,074, up by 6.7% this year.
The rent in Upper Montclair is also relatively high. The average Montclair rent is $2,207 per month, according to RentCafe, and that's slightly higher than the average rent in all of Montclair Township, which is $2,664 per month.
View this post on Instagram
Living in Upper Montclair offers significant advantages no matter where you settle down. However, the Upper Montclair housing market varies depending on where you look, and certain areas provide unique benefits.
The most sought-after Upper Montclair homes for sale tend to be in the northern part of the community. However, if you're looking for the best deal, you'll find the lowest housing prices in the northeast. The southern section of the community also offers easy access to shopping, restaurants, and the Garden State Parkway, which is convenient for those who commute to New York City.
The climate in Upper Montclair is humid continental according to the Koppen climate classification, which means warm or hot summers with high humidity and cool or cold winters. The average temperature in Montclair ranges from 23° to 85° F, and it rarely goes below 10° F in the winter and 92° in the summer.
The best time to visit Upper Montclair is either June or September because the weather will be warm and comfortable but won't be too humid or oppressively hot. It also gets a fair amount of precipitation, averaging about 49 inches of rain and 26 inches of snow per year, so bring proper rain and snow clothes.
View this post on Instagram
Residents will find plenty of fun things to do in Montclair, from parks and nature trails to art galleries and theaters. Visitors will find more than seven parks and nature preserves, a public pool, a performing arts theater, a public library and so much more. Here is a look at what to do in Upper Montclair. The Upper Montclair Country Club is another notable attraction which features a Tillinghast designed golf course. Residents will find plenty of boutiques and local shops in the Upper Montclair Business district at the Intersection of Valley Road and Bellevue Avenue or at Watchung Plaza.
The Alexander Kasser Theater is a 500-seat performing arts venue on the Montclair State University campus. The 53,000-foot theater pays homage to the style of a Spanish mission and hosts performances from students and local artists. It's one of the best Montclair attractions for those interested in the performance arts.
Alexander Kasser Theater, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 655-5112
Brookdale Park is a city green space and recreational facility with a dog park, soccer field, tennis center, children's playground, archery range, and a rose garden with 15,000 square feet of unique flora. It's one of the best things to do in Upper Montclair with kids and offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities.
Brookdale Park, W Circuit Dr, Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 268-3500
View this post on Instagram
Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve is a nature preserve in Upper Montclair that offers hiking trails, fishing, bird-watching, community events, and more. It makes the perfect attraction for those living in Upper Montclair who want to experience the great outdoors right in their own backyard.
Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve, Riverview Dr. W, Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 509-4915
Additional Attractions in Upper Montclair
Montclair Township has a great parks department with over 175 acres of public green space for residents to enjoy. Check out their website to see all the different parks and what they offer.
Aside from recreation, there are also plenty of excellent restaurants in upper Montclair. You'll typically find the best places to eat in Montclair clustered around Bellevue Ave and Valley Road, but you can find great restaurants throughout the community. Here are a few of the spots you should be sure to check out.
Turtle + the Wolf is a hip bistro serving New American cuisine. It's one of the best restaurants in Montclair for those searching for a unique culinary experience, and you'll find menu items like Spanish octopus and duck confit pot pie.
Turtle + Wolf, 622 Valley Rd, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043, (973) 783-9800
If you're looking for a casual yet elegant place to enjoy a meal with the whole family, De Novo European Pub is the perfect spot. It mimics a classic family-style European eatery with upscale dishes like french breast of chicken and fettuccine with pork sausage.
De Novo European Pub, 275 Bellevue Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 893-5008
Daikichi is a Japanese sushi bar serving innovative rolls and plates. Patrons can expect all the classics, such as spicy tuna and salmon rolls, along with creative concoctions like the Montclair roll, which features kanikama, avocado, tuna, and bonito flakes.
daikichi, 608 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 744-2954
Upper Montclair has a robust economy with over 1,200 businesses in operation, which employ 5,260 people. The central commercial zone of upper Montclair is Upper Montclair Business District around Bellevue and Valley Road, which is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and service businesses.
The biggest employers in Montclair Township include Montclair State University, HackensackUMC Mountainside, and ViridianEnvironmental. The most prominent industries in the area are Education, Finance, Insurance, and Scientific and Technical Services. According to Payscale, the average base salary for residents of Upper Montclair is $73,000, and the median household income is $214,726.
Prepare for your move by exploring Upper Montclair NJ jobs on Indeed.
Upper Montclair is within the Montclair Public School system, which ranks highly for test scores and student-to-teacher ratio.
More than a quarter of the Montclair Public Schools are in Upper Montclair, including:
Montclair State University's campus is in Upper Montclair, a school ranked among the top tier of national universities.
You'll also find several private schools in the community, including the Lacordaire Academy and the St. Cassian School. The Bellevue Avenue Branch of the Montclair Public Library is also located in the community and hosts frequent community events, including storytimes, dance parties, and guest readers.
Explore more fun things to do, restaurants, and amenities with this Upper Montclair map.
Excited about living in Upper Montclair? Trust our experienced team at Catlow Movers to help you make the process of moving to Upper Montclair simple and stress free. Give our Upper Montclair movers a call today at 201-855-3613 or fill out our Request a Quote form to get started.
"*" indicates required fields
