Union Township Real Estate: A Dynamic Community at the Intersection of Charm and Affordability

“The Township of Union is a community that has deep historical roots, yet constantly looks toward the future to create a place where its residents can enjoy a high quality of life,” said Jim Masterson, executive director of the Union Chamber of Commerce. “As someone who has been a part of this town for more than 30 years, I continue to be impressed by the incredible level of civic activity and volunteerism of our citizens and business owners.”

World-Class Destinations Just Minutes Away with Popular Public Schools and Outstanding Private Education Right Here at Home

Located 17 miles east of New York City, Union is traversed by the Garden State Parkway, Routes 22, 78 and 82, creating easy access to surrounding destinations. Newark Liberty International Airport is just six miles east of Union, while MetLife Stadium, home to 20 NFL games (twice as many as any other NFL Stadium as the home field for both the New York Jets and New York Giants), and a packed calendar of sporting events and concerts, is just a 20-minute drive to the northeast.

Commuters enjoy the convenience of Union Station, which offers rail service to Manhattan via NJ Transit. A spacious parking lot accommodates 450 vehicles. In addition, to ease traffic during peak hours, the township implemented a complimentary multi-stop train shuttle service for residents’ convenience.

While Cape Cods and Colonial style architecture are most common in Union, there are also bi-levels, split-levels and ranch-style homes to suit almost any lifestyle. Average homes are priced in the mid-$200,000s, while larger, more highly upgraded properties range upwards to the high $500,000s.

In addition to convenient transportation and affordable real estate listings for sale, the township strives to deliver a quality education to its youth. Union High School’s theater department, marching band and sports teams are recognized for their outstanding talent, fostering a continued sense of pride within the community. School-age children attend one of six elementary schools before entering one of three middle schools. Top-ranking private academies including Kent Place, Far Brook School and Pingry are located within a 30-minute drive.

Hike in a Wooded Wonderland, Visit New Jersey’s Best Zoo

Discover the township’s acres of beautiful green spaces. Its 20 parks feature basketball courts, baseball diamonds, a community garden, picnic facilities and walking trails.

Nature lovers enjoy hiking beneath the shady canopy of towering hemlocks at nearby South Mountain Reservation. The 2,110-acre nature reserve is graced with numerous picturesque streams, creeks and waterfalls. Vistas offer breathtaking views of the New York skyline. Voted one of the best zoos in the state, the Turtle Back Zoo is just 10-minutes from Union. Featuring a reptile house, sea lion exhibit and grand carousel, the zoo delights visitors of all ages.

Feast on Farm-to-Table Cuisine and Explore Designer Boutiques

Dining out is a local hobby with many Union residents – with nearly 200 hundred different places to eat, options abound in Union Township. Located on the grounds of Kean University, the award-winning farm-to-table restaurant Ursino is regarded as one of the finest dining establishments in the Garden State. Meals are crafted from the harvest grown on the adjacent four-acre farm, which is also open to visitors.

Van Gogh’s Ear, an eclectic coffeehouse, showcases the talents of local artists and musicians, providing a welcome destination for art and music connoisseurs. The cafe is also popular for its tasty sandwiches and creative take on salads and pizzas. Another local hot spot, The Red Cadillac, serves classic Mexican street cuisine. Residents return again and again for Chef Joe Montes’ Red Snapper Tacos as well as his flavorful burritos and enchiladas. In fact, his entire menu bursts with flavor thanks to fresh ingredients from the best locally sourced produce.

Union’s popular downtown features more than 50-one-of-a-kind shops, including Unique Thrift where shoppers often spend hours perusing the boutique’s designer and vintage clothing as well as its uncommon home decor. For more extensive shopping lists, the Mall at Short Hills, a preeminent shopping destination housing upscale retailers such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks, features more than 150 stores and is just a 15 minute drive west.

Attend Live Theater and Support the Performing Arts

The newly-restored Rahway Theatre, a vintage 1928 vaudeville and silent movie palace, houses the Union County Performing Arts Center. The historic landmark stands as the downtown’s majestic centerpiece and serves as the cornerstone of its recently established Arts District, dazzling residents with a wide array of theatrical and musical selections throughout the year.

Liberty Hall Museum, located on the Kean University campus, brings a treasure trove of history to life. The Georgian Mansion, home to the Livingston and Kean family for more than two centuries, was built in 1772 by the Garden State’s first governor, William Livingston, and rests on 23 well-manicured acres. Guests who visited the home include former presidents George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford and George Herbert Walker Bush.

Today, the residence, furnished with marvelous antiques, is open to tourists who have the pleasure of absorbing the splendor America’s ever-evolving history. While roaming the exquisite English gardens, guests admire one of the oldest trees in the state. Afternoon tea, a delightful throwback to simpler times, is served every Wednesday on the mansion’s glass porch overlooking the garden.

Discover Affordable Homes and a Thriving Sense of Community

Union is situated at the junction of many routes – to the City or the Shore and to hundreds of surrounding shops and restaurants – and it’s also where relatively affordable homes meet a tight-knit, vibrant community. Convenient to premiere destinations, close-to-home cultural opportunities, and a sparkling community spirit make Union extremely attractive to real estate buyers.

“The combination of a dynamic school system, great neighborhoods and vibrant businesses forms a synergy that makes this Township a unique and desirable place to live, work and shop,” says Masterson.