South Orange Real Estate: Discover Classic Charm, Upscale Sophistication and Abundant Recreation
Nestled in historic Essex County in the foothills of the Watchung Mountains, South Orange is one of the few communities in New Jersey that still illuminates many of its streets with old-style gaslight lamps.
Small in size yet with a deep, satisfying ambiance, South Orange is bordered by Maplewood to the southwest, Newark to the east, West Orange to the northwest, East Orange to the northeast, and Orange slightly northeast. A branch of the Rahway River flows through the Village and the western part of town sits on the eastern slope of South Mountain, along the eastern border of the South Mountain Reservation.
The famous gaslights, with the Tudor-style Village Hall and its unique octagon tower, have long been iconic symbols of South Orange. At nearly 3 square miles, the town is one of only four of 565 municipalities in New Jersey with a village-style government. Real estate buyers find South Orange, with its village ambiance and upscale lifestyle, a perfect place to live, work, and play.
“We’ve made many friends here over the years that share our interests,” says John Hassler, a local real estate owner who has lived in the Village with his wife, Suzanne, an interior designer, and their three daughters, since 2006. “We enjoy dining out—Boccone South for Italian, and both of our Ethiopian restaurants,” adds Suzanne.
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Contact JenniferEasy Access to Planes, Trains and the Bright Lights of New York City
Homebuyers searching real estate listings for sale are attracted to the area’s convenient and comfortable commuting options to New York City, which is only 18 miles east. Popular choices include two New Jersey Transit railroad stations along the Morristown Line: the South Orange station on South Orange Avenue and the Mountain station, located in the Montrose section of the Village. New Jersey Transit also operates two buses from South Orange train station to Newark, and to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Coach USA bus travels between the Livingston Mall and Newark Penn Station, and makes stops along South Orange Avenue.
An inexpensive Jitney shuttle service connects South Orange to Livingston, timed to coordinate with connecting Morristown Line trains. Newark-Liberty International Airport is a quick and easy one mile trip, and those seeking the attractions of the Jersey Shore can access the Garden State Parkway in mere minutes; Atlantic City is about two hours’ drive south on the Parkway.
A town of about 16,000, South Orange offers homebuyers a traditional village setting, with a range of architectural styles to suit a variety of tastes. Additionally, dozens of buildings are listed in the State and National Historic Registers.
Most real estate listings for sale are single-family, constructed in the 1920s through the 1950s. Choices range from brick English cottages to sprawling Mansard-roofed mansions. Tudor, Victorian, Colonial, Ranch, and Twin-style homes are also available. Home prices range up to around the mid-$1-million mark, with average prices in the mid-$500,000s.
Choose a Highly Regarded School System
South Orange shares the South Orange-Maplewood School District with neighboring Maplewood, ranked 109th of the 487 New Jersey school districts. Children attend one of six elementary schools and two middle schools. Columbia High School serves students from grades 9-12.
College-bound students can enroll at Seton Hall University, a Division I university located on the east side of town serving about 10,000 students. Seton Hall is known for its communications program, and many broadcast journalists got their start at WSOU-FM, the University’s non-commercial public radio station.
Seven miles to the south is Kean University, offering more than 48 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs, with over 85 options for graduate study including doctoral programs in psychology and education leadership.
Enrich Your Spirit in the Great Outdoors
Outdoor lovers enjoy 11 parks within the Village’s borders, as well as the breathtaking Watching Mountain range and the South Mountain Reservation. The reservation’s nearly 2,000 acres make it the largest park in Essex County. South Mountain Reservation includes 19 miles of hiking and walking trails, and 27 miles of roads for jogging, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Fishing enthusiasts cast for catches in Diamond Mill Pond, while birder watchers search the Reserve for warblers, vireos, and thrushes. In addition, the Northern cardinal and the pileated woodpecker are also year-round residents, as are deer, raccoons, foxes, turtles, squirrels, rabbits, and wild turkey.
For those who prefer to view wildlife in a more controlled environment, the reservation’s newly renovated Turtle Back Zoo welcomes visitors to its educational and interesting exhibits including sea lions, two rare species of leopard, and the Wolf Woods – a wolf habitat with large glass panels and several viewing areas.
West Orange families also enjoy the South Mountain YMCA, with its childcare, summer day camp, and youth sports programs. In addition, the town has a municipal swimming pool open to all residents during the summer. Regardless of the season, kids of all ages lace up their skates and head over to the Richard J. Codey Sports Arena which offers two NHL-size skating rinks for hockey and figure skating, and was once the practice ice for the New Jersey Devils pro hockey team.
Ready to hit the links? Golfers find tee times at eight courses nearby. Among popular golfing destinations, the Essex County Country Club enjoys the distinction of being New Jersey’s oldest country club. The private, member-owned club is renowned for its long, challenging golf course and its commitment to family involvement and a variety of activities for all ages.
Shop Local and Feast on International Cuisine
Quiet, tree-lined streets wind through the Village with more than 40 different locally owned stores offering electronics, rare coins, pet supplies, board games, jewelry, antiques, and more.
For more extensive shopping lists, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s Lord & Taylor and Sears anchor popular Livingston Mall, just six miles away. The Mall at Short Hills, just a mile further, hosts Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and over 150 other stores and restaurants. Shoppers also enjoy visiting more than 100 stores along the three miles of Route 10 with retailers such as REI, Best Buy, and Costco.
Foodies appreciate the variety and quality of more than 50 restaurants within five miles of town, featuring cuisines including American Fusion, Italian, Ethiopian, Japanese and classic Jersey diners. Fans of Ethiopian food rave about the perfect seasoning of the Doro Tibs at Walia Ethiopian Restaurant, while those in the mood for old-fashioned American dining love The Blue Plate Special’s crackbread. And at Above, seafood lovers rave about the lobster fritters in a cream sauce.
Arts, Culture and the Giants of Jazz
The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 415-seat performance complex that includes a proscenium theater, a five-screen cinema, and a dance studio/rental space. SOPAC presents music, dance, theater, comedy, and family-oriented programs throughout the year. Events have featured Paquito D’Rivera, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Richie Havens, Yo-Yo Ma, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Dionne Warwick.
The Baird, located in Meadowland Park, is both a recreational hub as well as an arts destination for the whole family. Featured programs include the Pierro Gallery of South Orange displaying contemporary fine arts, The Theater on 3, as well as preschool and other educational, arts and recreational programming. The Baird also hosts events in conjunction with SOPAC, including the popular and long-running Giants of Jazz concert series.
Welcome Home to the Township of South Orange Village
Real estate buyers searching listings of homes for sale find South Orange an appealing blend of an upscale suburban lifestyle rich with shopping, a highly regarded schools, and all the amenities that make modern life enjoyable and convenient. Easy access to Manhattan plus the splendor of the nearby mountains offer both a bucolic natural beauty and exciting cosmopolitan adventure. And for those who appreciate history along with an active lifestyle, South Orange has it all.
”Our local recreation leagues are a great part of the experience here, too” says John Hassler. “There’s always something new and exciting to do here. At the same time, we have a 100-year-old house, and we love it. We spend a lot of time making it our own.”
