Your Guide to Living in Montclair, NJ

by Scott Stewart

Your Guide to Living in Montclair, NJ

For Buyers, Sellers, and Future Neighbors - If you have been looking for a town in Northern New Jersey that feels like a small city, Montclair is probably already on your radar.

You get tree lined streets, historic homes, great restaurants, a strong arts scene, and direct train service into New York. For buyers and sellers, it is one of the most in demand markets in the area and has a very distinct personality.

This guide will walk you through what it is really like to live in Montclair. We will cover neighborhoods, schools, transportation, dining, and what buyers and sellers should know before making a move.

The Vibe: Why Montclair Attracts So Many Buyers

Montclair sits on the eastern edge of Essex County and has long been known as a “Brooklyn to Montclair” move destination.

People choose Montclair because they want:

Walkable, downtown energy without living in the city
Beautiful older homes with character
Strong public schools with a unique magnet system
Easy access to NYC by train or bus

It has a real mix of residents. Young professionals, families with school age kids, creatives, and long time locals all share the same streets, cafes, and parks. For sellers, this mix means a deep buyer pool. For buyers, it means competition, but also a lot of lifestyle value for what you are paying.

Neighborhoods and Housing: From Grand Colonials to Condo Living

Montclair is not one single “feel.” Each section has its own tone and housing options.

A few broad patterns buyers will notice:

South and Central Montclair
Closer to Bay Street and Walnut Street stations. You will see older colonials, multi family homes, and some condo and apartment living near Bloomfield Avenue. Good if you want to be close to nightlife, dining, and the train.
Watchung to Upper Montclair
Around Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, and Mountain Avenue stations, you will find tree lined streets, parks, and more single family homes. The Upper Montclair business district has a village feel with shops and restaurants.
Montclair Heights area
Near Montclair State University and Montclair Heights station. Mix of single family homes, multi families, and some student oriented rentals.

Housing types you will commonly see:

Classic turn of the century colonials and Victorians
1920s and 1930s Tudors
Multi family homes that can work for house hacking or extended family
Condos and apartments closer to Bloomfield Avenue and the train stations

If you are a buyer, we can help you match your budget and lifestyle to the right pocket of town. If you are a seller, we can position your home based on how it compares to nearby options, not just the town as a whole.

Schools and the Magnet System in Montclair

One of the biggest questions buyers have is about schools. Montclair has a magnet school system that works differently than most suburban districts.

Here are the basics:

The district has seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school.
Each elementary and middle school has a magnet theme that shapes the school’s focus and programming.
The magnet system was created to support racial balance and parental choice.
Families do not automatically attend the closest school. Instead, they rank their preferences. The district tries to honor those choices while maintaining balance and managing class sizes.

All schools follow New Jersey curriculum standards, but the magnet themes give each school its own flavor. For example, some may emphasize STEM, others the arts, global studies, or environmental learning.

What this means if you are moving to Montclair:

You will want to look at the district’s magnet information and individual school profiles.
Your exact address does not lock you into a single school, which many families see as a positive.
You should plan ahead and be ready to explore which themes feel like the best fit for your child.

Getting Around: Trains, Buses, and Commutes to NYC

Montclair is one of the better served train towns in Northern New Jersey.

The township has six NJ Transit train stations on the Montclair Boonton Line: Bay Street, Walnut Street, Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, Mountain Avenue, and Montclair Heights.

Trains generally run toward Newark Broad Street and New York Penn Station, with typical travel times from Montclair to Manhattan in the 40 to 50 minute range depending on your station and schedule.

There are also bus options:

NJ Transit buses that run from Montclair to Port Authority Bus Terminal
Private commuter options like Boxcar that supplement transit service

If you commute to the city, your choice of neighborhood often lines up with your preferred station. For example:

Want quick access to late evening trains and downtown dining
- Look near Bay Street or Walnut Street.
Prefer a more residential, village feel
- Explore around Watchung Avenue or Upper Montclair.

For buyers, we can help you narrow your search by both commute preferences and housing style. For sellers, we always highlight your proximity to specific stations and bus lines in our marketing.

Dining and Nightlife: From Ramen to Old School Taverns

Montclair’s restaurant scene is a big part of its appeal. There are far too many great spots to list in one post, but a few standouts we often hear buyers talk about include:

Ani Ramen House

Located at 511 Bloomfield Avenue, Ani Ramen is one of Montclair’s favorite spots for ramen, bao buns, and rice bowls. It brings a modern, casual Tokyo inspired vibe to the center of town, with a busy, city like energy and a menu built around carefully developed broths and noodles.

If you want to imagine your Friday nights in Montclair, picture grabbing a bowl of ramen at Ani and then walking to a show at the Wellmont Theatre or a film event.

Tierney’s Tavern

Tierney’s Tavern on Valley Road is a true local institution. It has been a neighborhood Irish pub for nearly 100 years, still run by the same family that opened it in the 1930s.

The upstairs music space hosts live bands, and the downstairs bar has the kind of warm, wood paneled, dimly lit atmosphere that feels like “old Montclair.” Recent accolades have even put Tierney’s on national lists of top bars.

Faubourg

Faubourg on Bloomfield Avenue is Montclair’s polished night out spot. The vibe is a modern French brasserie, with a spacious bar, tall ceilings, and both indoor and outdoor seating that feel a little bit like the city without leaving town. It is the place people think of for special occasions, date nights, or a really good cocktail before a show at the Wellmont.

Montclair Bread Company / Rabble Rise Doughnuts

Montclair Bread Company, now known as Rabble Rise Doughnuts, is a local favorite for fresh bread, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. The shop draws steady lines on weekends from people picking up coffee and boxes of donuts before heading to the park or the farmer’s market. It is one of those spots that makes weekend mornings in Montclair feel a little bit special.

Beyond those suggestions, Montclair offers:

Coffee shops and bakeries scattered through downtown and Upper Montclair
Upscale and casual dining on and around Bloomfield Avenue
A growing number of vegan, vegetarian, and globally inspired spots

For both buyers and sellers, this restaurant density is part of what sets Montclair apart from many nearby suburbs.

Parks, Culture, and Things To Do

Montclair balances urban energy with green spaces and arts.

A few highlights:

Brookdale Park (shared with Bloomfield) offers trails, open fields, a dog park, and seasonal events.
Montclair Art Museum brings exhibitions, events, and education programs that draw visitors from across the region.
The Wellmont Theatre and Montclair’s film scene add to the cultural calendar, including Montclair Film’s events and festivals.

Weekend life can easily rotate between the park, a downtown brunch, a museum visit, and a show.

What Buyers Should Know About the Montclair Market

Montclair is a competitive, higher priced market relative to many nearby towns. While exact numbers change over time, some consistent patterns are:

Well priced, well presented homes often attract strong interest and multiple offers.
Unique homes with character, good school access, and proximity to transit command a premium.
Multi family and mixed use properties draw attention from both house hackers and investors.

If you are buying:

Get pre approved with a local lender before you start touring.
Be clear on your “must haves” versus “nice to haves” because the market often moves quickly.
Work with an agent who understands micro neighborhoods and school logistics, not just the town name.

We can also talk with you about strategies like house hacking if you are open to multi family living in and around Montclair.

What Sellers Should Know Before Listing in Montclair

Montclair’s strong demand is a benefit for sellers, but preparation still matters.

To position your home well, we will look at:

How your home compares to recent sales in your specific neighborhood
Which updates will have the most impact on buyers and appraisers
How to highlight your proximity to magnet schools, train stations, parks, and key dining areas
Professional photography and staging that show off your home’s character, not just its square footage

Our goal is to help you move beyond “put it on the MLS and hope.” Instead, we create a tailored plan based on who your most likely buyer is and how they live in Montclair.

Thinking About a Move To or From Montclair?

Whether you are:

A buyer considering your first move out of the city
A current Montclair homeowner thinking about upsizing, downsizing, or leaving the area
An investor curious about multi family opportunities in and around town

Scott Stewart Homes can help you navigate the Montclair market with clear guidance and local knowledge.

We are happy to: