Since NYC Direct trains came to Maplewood and South Orange some years ago, these vibrant Essex County town have joined Montclair in the front and center of local real estate growth -- and for good reason. These beautiful, smaller villages offer much the same ambience and quality of life, highly-regarded schools, excellent Manhattan commute, and proximity to nature as their larger cousin, Montclair, to the north. 

Described in a front-page feature in the New York Times Sunday Real Estate Section (April 13, 2003)as "Norman Rockwellesque towns…neighboring communities where colonial, Tudor and Victorian homes nestle below the gentle slopes of South Mountain Reservation," South Orange and Maplewood share a 2000-acre preserve, and a perspective in which "racial and ethnic diversity is promoted as a real estate selling point." 

The two towns sponsor a joint council to promote public dialogue about diversity. The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is an active force in the community, offering newcomer dual-town tours, as well as down payment assistance to those who decide to settle in areas in which the coalition would like to see even more diversification. 

The towns are also among the most visually beautiful places to live in Essex County. Maplewood's bustling downtown, curving through several small blocks of adorable shops and restaurants, a tiny King's supermarket, movie theater, English pub, pizza parlor, nail salons, upscale eateries, and post office -- reminds me of the Swiss Alps. Quaint areas in Maplewood include Washington Park, a cul-de-sac bracketed by stone pillars, designed decades ago to exemplify 'higher virtues of architecture and lifestyle.' 

There are many lovely stone homes in Maplewood, as well, and a generous inventory of starter homes for young buyers just getting their suburban feet wet. Maplewood also has a town pool and an active arts community, with such notable graduates of Columbia High School as "Garden State" director and "Scrubs" star Zach Braff and "Daily Show" head writer David Javerbaum. 

South Orange's business district, still in process of redevelopment, is set in and around South Orange Avenue, a wide, bustling thoroughfare, with side streets offering a necessary Starbucks, wonderful Kate and Abby's bakery, Fifties-style diner, bagelry -- and a gourmet market on the way. SOPAC -- South Orange Performing Arts Center -- seating 375, with an adjoining movie house, has opened downtown adjacent to the mid-town train station, one of two serving the town. A new gourmet food emporium opens soon and, with the first new local political slate in 16 years having won at the polls in 2007, further downtown development is promised. 

Sought-after neighborhoods South Orange include Newstead, high on the mountain, with a combination of exquisite stone and brick mini-mansions in the colonial and Tudor styles, with more contemporary homes at the top. Down the mountain lies Montrose, South Orange's beautiful historic district, with some of the most elegant and expensive vintage homes Essex County has to offer. Wyoming, is sandwiched between, offers a delicious layer of elegant vintage homes overlooking the village. Near Seton Hall University, there's charming Tuxedo Park -- architecturally, right up there with other neighborhoods -- although less expensive. 

In December 2002, Money Magazine named Maplewood/South Orange among the "Best Places to Live" in the US. The magazine called Maplewood "a favorite compromise for city people who also want good public schools and their own yards. The town has a palpable sense of community."  

Meanwhile, New Jersey Monthly gave South Orange, with its 62 acres of parkland, including sporty Cameron Field and its pretty pond, 5 baseball diamonds, 15 lighted tennis courts, soccer field, Community Center with pool, its own nod of approval. "The parks that border the village, and nearby South Mountain Reservation make South Orange a great place for biking, walking, jogging, and catching breathtaking views of the New York Skyline." 

The towns share a school system. See my Schools page for more information and go to greatschools.net for comparison these and neighboring towns.  

For more useful info on Maplewood and South Orange, visit this website: 

http://twotowns.org 

The Baldwin Team is happy to provide market analyses, show homes and provide area tours of South Orange and Maplewood, where our own Nancy Chu resides.