You’ve seen the headlines about the Great Migration out of New York City, but if you look at the data, people aren't just vanishing into the ether. They’re landing in places like Union County New Jersey. It's weird. For years, this pocket of the Garden State was just "that place with the IKEA and the airport traffic," but honestly, the vibe has shifted. It’s no longer just a fallback option for people priced out of Brooklyn or Jersey City. It’s the destination.
Why?
Geography is destiny. Union County sits in this weirdly perfect sweet spot where you can catch a train in Westfield and be at Penn Station in 45 minutes, yet you’re still close enough to the Watchung Reservation to feel like you actually live in nature. It’s dense. It’s diverse. It’s confusingly expensive in some spots and surprisingly affordable in others.
The Reality of Living in Union County New Jersey
Most people think of New Jersey as one giant suburb, but Union County is a patchwork of 21 distinct municipalities that have almost nothing in common with each other. You’ve got Elizabeth, which is a gritty, high-energy urban hub with some of the best Colombian food you’ll ever eat. Then, ten minutes away, you’re in Summit, where the median home price looks like a phone number and the downtown feels like a movie set.
It’s this friction between urban and suburban that makes the county interesting.
If you’re moving here for the schools, you’re likely looking at New Providence or Berkeley Heights. These towns consistently rank at the top of the U.S. News & World Report rankings for New Jersey. But here’s the thing people don’t tell you: the taxes are brutal. You’re paying for those blue-ribbon schools with property tax bills that can easily clear $20,000 a year for a modest three-bedroom split-level.
The Commuter Struggle is Real
Let's talk about the Raritan Valley Line. If you live in Cranford, Fanwood, or Plainfield, this is your lifeline. It’s a "one-seat ride" during off-peak hours, but during the morning rush, you’re often switching at Newark Penn Station. It’s a pain. You’re standing on a cold platform in January, clutching a lukewarm coffee, waiting for a NJ Transit train that might be delayed because of "signal issues."
Yet, people do it every single day.
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The trade-off is the lifestyle. When you get off that train in a town like Westfield, you’re walking into a downtown that actually has life. It’s not just a collection of empty storefronts. You’ve got Addams Tavern, high-end boutiques, and a sense of community that you just don't get in a high-rise in Long Island City.
Where the Food Actually Is
Forget the fancy steakhouses for a second. If you want to understand Union County New Jersey, you have to go to Elizabeth. Specifically, the Ironbound-adjacent areas and Peterstown.
DiCosmo’s Italian Ice on 4th Avenue is a local legend. It’s been there since 1915. You stand in line, you get your lemon ice, and you realize that this is the "old New Jersey" people talk about in books. Then you go over to Spiritos for ravioli and pizza. It’s cash only. The service is... let's call it "authentic." If you try to order a topping on your pizza that they don't like, they might just say no.
It’s great.
Then you have the Portuguese and Brazilian influence. The charcoal chicken in this part of the county is world-class. You aren't getting this in the suburbs of Ohio. You’re getting it here because Union County is a massive landing pad for immigrants from South America and Europe. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 30% of the county's population is foreign-born. That diversity shows up in the grocery stores, the parks, and the local politics.
The Green Spaces Nobody Mentions
If you look at a map, Union County looks like a gray block of sprawl. Look closer.
The Watchung Reservation is 2,000 acres of actual woods. You can get lost there. I mean, literally lost—the trails aren't always marked perfectly. It’s got the Deserted Village of Feltville, which is this creepy, beautiful historic site that looks like something out of a folk horror movie.
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- Warinanco Park: Designed by the Olmsted Brothers (the guys who did Central Park). It has a lake, a skating rink, and cherry blossoms that rival the ones in Newark’s Branch Brook Park.
- Echo Lake Park: This is where everyone goes for sledding in the winter and peddle boats in the summer. It’s the suburban dream realized.
- Rahway River Park: A massive loop that’s perfect for runners who are tired of dodging cars on local streets.
The Plainfield Paradox
We have to talk about Plainfield. It’s called "The Queen City," and it’s one of the most architecturally significant places in the state. The Sleepy Hollow section has mansions that would cost $5 million in Westchester, but here, you can get them for a fraction of that.
But Plainfield is complicated. It has struggled with disinvestment for decades. You’ll see a literal palace on one block and a boarded-up house on the next. It’s a town that has been "about to blow up" for twenty years. Lately, though, the investment is actually sticking. New luxury rentals are going up near the train stations, and the demographic shift is real.
Is it "gentrifying"? Maybe. But it’s also a place where families have lived for four generations. The tension there is palpable, but it’s also where some of the most exciting stuff in the county is happening.
Business and the Economy
It isn't just a bedroom community. Union County New Jersey is an economic engine.
You have the Port of New York and New Jersey in Elizabeth. It’s one of the busiest container ports in the world. If you bought something on Amazon today, there is a very high statistical probability that it passed through Union County. This brings jobs, but it also brings trucks. Lots of trucks. Route 1&9 is basically a permanent parade of tractor-trailers.
Then there’s the pharma presence. Merck has a massive footprint in Rahway. These aren't just office jobs; these are high-paying research and manufacturing roles that keep the local economy insulated from some of the swings you see in other parts of the country.
The Problem with Growth
We’re running out of space.
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Because the county is already so densely packed, any new development has to be "in-fill." This means every time someone tries to build an apartment building near a train station, there’s a massive fight at the local planning board. People worry about "overcrowding" and "losing the character of the town."
It’s the classic NIMBY battle.
The result is that housing prices stay high. If you’re looking for a starter home in Cranford or Roselle Park, be prepared for a bidding war. I’ve seen houses go for $100,000 over asking price, all-cash, with no inspections. It’s a bloodbath out there for buyers.
Small Town Secrets
Did you know Rahway has a thriving arts scene? The Union County Performing Arts Center is a restored 1920s vaudeville theater that hosts everything from classic films to heavy metal shows. The city has consciously rebranded itself as an arts hub to attract younger residents, and it’s working.
Or take Kenilworth. It’s a tiny, blue-collar borough that feels like a time capsule. It has one of the highest concentrations of manufacturers and small industrial shops in the region, but it also has Boulevard 572, a restaurant that people drive from two counties away to visit.
Practical Steps for Navigating Union County
If you're seriously considering a move or a deep dive into the area, you need a strategy. Don't just trust Zillow.
- Visit on a Tuesday morning: If you want to know what the commute is like, go to the Westfield or Summit train station at 7:30 AM. Feel the energy. See the parking situation (it’s usually a multi-year waitlist for a permit).
- Check the flood maps: This is crucial. Towns like Cranford and Rahway have major issues with the Rahway River. If a house seems like a "steal," check the FEMA flood zone. You might end up paying $3,000 a year in flood insurance.
- Eat in Elizabeth: Go to Valenca for rodizio or Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza. If you don't like the food there, you won't like the county.
- Download the NJ Transit app: And get used to checking it. Often.
- Look at Roselle Park or Union (the township): If you’re priced out of the "big name" towns, these areas offer similar transit access for significantly less money. Union has the Kean University vibe and a massive shopping corridor on Route 22.
Union County isn't perfect. It's loud, the traffic on the Garden State Parkway is a nightmare, and the property taxes are eye-watering. But there is a reason the population keeps growing. It’s a place that feels "lived in." It’s a place where you can get a world-class education, a high-paying job, and the best empanada of your life within a five-mile radius.
You just have to be willing to deal with the crowds to get it.