It was 1985 and we had two small children, a boy and a girl, sharing a partitioned bedroom. Our Brooklyn Heights apartment, two bedrooms with a partial winter view of the river, seemed to be shrinking. The narrow kitchen, where we had a piggyback washer/dryer and a dishwasher on wheels, wasn't big enough for us all to eat together. We started looking for a home in the suburbs. 

After some months, we inadvertently veered off Rt. 3 West into Montclair, just 12 miles from the Lincoln Tunnel, and couldn't believe what we'd found: beautiful, stately, older homes, lush foliage, and lots of people and young families on the streets, just walking around. It seemed like Brooklyn Heights transported to a less cluttered, distinctly greener place. The Tudor village shops, charming schools, glorious parks, and general bustle and activity around us on that fine May day spoke volumes. We were hooked. 

The following year, we moved into an 80-year-old Victorian with an English garden and wrap-around front porch, within walking distance of two parks, a multitude of shops and transportation by both bus and train to the City. 

That was a long time ago. My kids are grown up. We're in a different house. But we're still loving Essex County, NJ.  

I don't think things have changed that much. I know they haven't -- recently, a young woman reached out to me and said my story was hers. The small children. The little apartment. The yearning for some open space. Also, the worry that by leaving the city behind, one would be cut off from that urban energy that so many need to survive. 

You can find it here! Montclair has grown so much during my time here: There are many more restaurants (more than 50, actually!), more entertainments, more shops, more transportation options -- the town is Walkability Central and the commute options to New York City the best possible. There are six Midtown Direct train stations, plus a seventh at Montclair State University. Comfortable buses on two routes also serve the town. 

The housing inventory in Montclair is rich with detail and charm. While some homes date before 1875, most were built from that time to 1940, which a few neighborhoods --Yantacaw, Fairway, Fieldstone-- erected from open farmland between the late 1940s - 1980. There are only a smattering of "newer" homes, even fewer new construction. 

Proud of their town, Montclairians spend so much time fixing up their properties that during warmer months, contractor trucks virtually line some streets. Locals also love showing off their houses, so curb appeal does matter here!  

In my real estate career, I've been lucky enough to get to know all the towns in Essex County and to revel in their fine qualities. Montclair remains the hub, of course, but each of the towns in this area has a special feel. It's my job to provide you with the opportunity to experience and decide where you want to live. I know what you're looking for: I've lived it. 

My initial reaction to Montclair isn't so unusual. Clients I work with as a Realtor, many of whom have lived in urban areas, instantly recognize the inherent benefits and beauty of this town and the surrounding "West Essex' area - including neighboring Glen Ridge, West Orange, Bloomfield, Maplewood, South Orange, Verona, Cedar Grove, Nutley, Essex Fells, Roseland, and the Caldwells. 

As much as by its homes, Montclair is known for its distinguished art museum; fine and growing State University campus with its new Alexander Kasser Theatre; public skating rink; public library; three town pools; five shopping districts, six train stations, "magnet"-based primary schools, 12 parks, multiple movie screens, dozens of antique stores, the aforementioned plethora of eateries -- and some 40,000 residents.  

So valuable to the town is the easy Midtown Direct commute to New York City's Penn Station, or some remaining commuter-hour trains to downtown Manhattan via the PATH system from Hoboken. Committed to innovation, Montclair's school system is unique in philosophy and structure. The district divides the primary grades into these exciting, achievement-oriented magnet programs: Nationally recognized Nishuane is the K-2 Gifted and Talented program (with Hillside -- famous for its performing arts and aesthetics programs, assuming its students in the third grade); Watchung is the science and math magnet; Northeast is an international school with mock UN; Bradford is a Montclair University-affiliated magnet; Edgemont is the only public Montessori in the state; and the new Charles Bullock school focuses on basic skills with emphasis on family involvement.  

In the Montclair district, parents have the opportunity to exercise Freedom of Choice program with regard to which primary school their child will attend. The district also balances classes racially. 

In a district long noted for commitment to the arts, Montclair public school students, including actress Christina Ricci -- who made her theatrical debut at the local Edgemont School as a third grader -- are often cited for achievement. In 2006, Hillside Primary's "Drums of Thunder" ensemble made their first-ever appearance on national television on the NBC Today Show. The Montclair High School Band performed at the NCAA basketball tournament recently at Madison Square Garden. The town's proximity to Manhattan is, overall, a great boon for students and families. 

Recent graduates of Montclair High School have had an impressive record of college admissions, including Harvard, Princeton and Yale; nearly 90 percent of its college seniors go on to college.  

Indeed, the town's enormous cultural and enrichment possibilities for children and families give it an international flavor. For shoppers, there are dozens of trendy boutiques and shops, Over the Moon and Milk Money for well-dressed children to Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Williams-Sonoma and The Gap for adults. There's Just Kidding Around, recently named NJ's best toy store, and Watchung Booksellers, recently named the state's best bookstore. Non-profits servicing the community also abound, including the phenomenal Jazz House Kids, Montclair Art Museum, Yard School of Art, and the Essex Youth Theater. 

For culture hounds, there are art shows, independent films, theatrical enterprise, music offerings across a wide spectrum, including the famous Outpost in the Burbs concerts, and, for developing talents, numerous writing groups, art collectives, and musical conduits. When Montclair's professional writers get together - many of whom work for the nation's top media outlets - to network and party every year, more than 200 professionals turn out to share stories.  

Montclair's location is prime -- 20 minutes to Willowbrook, Essex Green, Short Hills, Livingston, and Riverside Square Malls, not to mention Costco, Target, and Barnes & Noble, and the off-price delights of Secaucus.  

The town also has a number of private schools, including Montclair Kimberly Academy, serving K-12 on three campuses, the Montclair Cooperative (K-6), and the Deron School, for special-needs students. (In close proximity are several other private schools, including the exemplary Newark Academy; Far Brook in Short Hills; Solomon Schechter and Seton Hall Prep in West Orange; and Pingry in Morristown, to name a few.)  

Every spring, just as the azaleas bloom, Montclair zips to life during "May in Montclair" festivities, with dozens of public offerings for all ages and interests. There's Art in Bloom, another series of events at the Montclair Art Museum for adults and kids; a Cinco De Mayo celebration at the Montclair Public Library; a juried art exhibition by Studio Montclair; "Dog Day" festivities for the town's pets and their owners; and a British Country Fair in one of Montclair's scenic parks.  

Meanwhile, Montclair Center -- Downtown Montclair -- a mile-long stretch of shops along busy Bloomfield Ave. and numerous vital side streets, has become a regional center of upscale restaurant activity -- take you pick of world cuisines, antique shops, upscale boutiques, and entertainments, as well as Starbucks and, in 2010, a new Whole Foods cafe.  

Church Street, one of the sweetest diversions in town, is home both to sidewalk cafes and fine dining opportunities, including the popular Raymonds, appealing shops and, in sunny weather, street performances by young musicians. For those on the go, Montclair offers a myriad of fun dining options, from Ruthie's exquisite artisan pizza and bar-b-cue, to Alan's on the Avenue's overstuffed sandwiches to Beyond Pita's luscious Mediterranean salads, to Leone's for affordable, family-style Italian cuisine to, well, you name it! Other popular eateries are the popular Pacific Rim cuisine of Aozora; Thai Chef, Giotto, Fascina, Casa Rustica, Palazzo, Greek Delights and Table 8, to name a few.  

For those who prefer not to own a single-family home, there are other options, including two recently built condo developments, The Siena on Church St. and the Walnut Street Lofts just across the street from Montclair's most popular Irish pub restaurant, Egan & Son and Halcyon, its more upscape companion eatery, add to the vitality of the downtown business district.  

Sharing Walnut Street are two excellent dessert and bread purveyors, Gina's and Montclair Bread Company.  

At the intersection of Grove and Walnut, another shopping cluster and more restaurants! At the adjacent Walnut Street Train Sation, a vibrant open market is on display every Sunday, May - October -- definitely a taste treat where friends meet. 

In Upper Montclair (same town, different zip code and shopping area), dining opportunities abound with child-friendly Montclair Char-broil, Dai Kichi, Veggie Heaven, Jackie's, Bamboo, and more.  

Parks are a Montclairian's delight, and we have great ones: Edgemont, Anderson and Brookdale, Bonsal Nature Preserve, and the famous Presby Iris Gardens, all in Upper Montclair, with Porter and Canterbury Parks in Montclair proper. High in the hills that frame the western edge of town, you'll want to try out the hiking paths in the scenic public lands known as the Eagle Rock Reservation. 

At edge of town, Montclair State University offers much to locals, including use of the excellent library facilities, cutting-edge performances at the dynamic new Kassar Theater, by international artists and talented students in the bustling School of Performing Arts that include a vibrant Musical Theater disciple and the new Cali School of Music with the Shanghai Quartet in residence.  

The Yogi Berra Museum and Floyd Hall (ice skating) Arena located on the edge of the university campus, are open to the public, as well. 

There is considerably more I want to tell you about Montclair and I look forward to doing so. When you sign up for this website's Homecaster listings feature, you will receive a weekly newsletter ("What's New in Essex County Real Estate") that will keep you abreast of market trends, MLS inventory that matches your needs - and much more. I also write an occasional blog -- SuburbanDigs.typepad.com -- where I muse on more personal real-estate-related topics. My super search site, www.FindBestNJHomes.com, can become a great visual tool as you're begining your online search,. Overall, I hope you will come to see my knowledge of real estate and life in the town and all of Essex County as indispensable to your move now as it will be after you settle in. Let's begin our dialogue now. Just email me at RobertaBaldwinTeam@gmail.com  

(c) 2003-2011 by Roberta Baldwin