You've probably driven through it without realizing where the border starts. One minute you're in the urban buzz of Orange or the manicured quiet of Livingston, and suddenly, you're climbing a massive hill. That's the First Mountain of the Watchungs. It defines everything about West Orange New Jersey.
It’s a weird, beautiful, slightly confusing town.
Honestly, if you're looking for a cookie-cutter suburb where every house looks like a beige box, you’re going to be disappointed. West Orange is hilly. It’s rocky. It’s got winding roads that make GPS cry. But it’s also one of the few places in Essex County where you can find a multimillion-dollar mansion, a 1920s bungalow, and a high-rise condo all within a five-minute drive of each other. People move here because they want the view of the Manhattan skyline, but they stay because the community is actually, well, a community.
The Thomas Edison Factor
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the guy who basically invented the modern world. Thomas Edison lived and worked here. His laboratory complex on Main Street isn't just a boring museum; it’s the site where the motion picture camera and the alkaline storage battery came to life.
Llewellyn Park is right next door.
Founded in 1857, it’s one of the first planned residential communities in the United States. It's gated. It's lush. Edison’s estate, Glenmont, sits inside those gates. If you ever get the chance to tour it, do it. The house is a 29-room Queen Anne Victorian marvel that looks like it hasn't changed since 1931. While many people think of West Orange as a "commuter town," the history here is deep. It isn't just a place where people sleep before catching the bus to Port Authority. It’s a place that changed how humanity functions.
Living on the Edge of a Mountain
Geography dictates your lifestyle here. If you live "down the hill" near the Valley or the Main Street corridor, life feels a bit more urban, more walkable, more connected to the neighboring Oranges. But once you head up Eagle Rock Avenue or Mt. Pleasant Avenue, everything shifts.
The views are insane.
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Eagle Rock Reservation covers over 400 acres along the ridge. On a clear day, the New York City skyline looks like you could reach out and touch it. The 9/11 Memorial there is one of the most poignant spots in the tri-state area. It’s quiet. It’s reflective. It overlooks the very spot where the towers once stood. Locals go there to jog, but they also go there just to sit and think. It’s that kind of place.
Then you have South Mountain Reservation. This is where the suburban families congregate. You've got the Turtle Back Zoo, which has grown from a tiny petting zoo into a legitimate, award-winning destination with lions, giraffes, and a massive prehistoric-themed playground. There’s the Codey Arena for ice skating and the safari mini-golf. It gets crowded on weekends. Like, really crowded. If you’re a local, you learn the secret back ways to get around the traffic on Northfield Avenue, or you just stay home until the tourists head back to the Parkway.
The Real Estate Reality Check
Let's be real for a second. New Jersey taxes are no joke. West Orange is no exception.
The property taxes here can be a shock to the system if you're moving from out of state. However, compared to neighboring Montclair or Short Hills, you often get significantly more "house" for your money. You might find a sprawling Tudor with original stained glass for the price of a cramped colonial elsewhere.
The housing stock is wildly diverse:
- Gregory Section: Full of charming older homes and very popular with young families moving out of Brooklyn or Jersey City.
- St. Cloud: Higher up the hill, feels more suburban, lots of ranch-style homes and larger lots.
- Pleasantdale: Very residential, quiet, and home to some great local delis.
- The Valley: An artsy, revitalizing area that borders Orange and is seeing a lot of new development and creative energy.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking West Orange is just one big neighborhood. It isn't. Every pocket has a completely different vibe. You have to drive the streets. You have to see how the light hits the trees in the afternoon. It’s a town that requires a bit of exploration to understand.
Education and the "Commuter Life"
People always ask about the schools. The West Orange Public School district is large and incredibly diverse. That’s a selling point for many. West Orange High School is known for its incredible music and arts programs, plus a massive array of AP courses. Does every single person love the schools? No. Some parents opt for private options like Seton Hall Prep (which is right in town) or Golda Och Academy. But the public system has a lot of pride and a lot of resources.
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Now, about the commute.
West Orange doesn't have its own train station. That's the "catch."
If you work in Manhattan, you're either taking a private commuter bus (like Community Coach), a NJ Transit bus, or you're driving to the train stations in Orange, South Orange, or Montclair. Many residents use the town’s jitney service, which picks people up at various corners and drops them off at the NJ Transit stations. It’s a bit of an extra step, but for many, the trade-off of having a bigger yard and a quieter street is worth the transfer.
Where to Eat (The Local Secrets)
Forget the chain restaurants on Route 10 for a minute. If you want the real West Orange experience, you go to the staples.
Star Tavern.
It’s technically on the border of Orange, but everyone in West Orange claims it. It consistently tops the "Best Pizza in NJ" lists. It’s thin-crust, bar-style pizza. Don't expect fancy toppings or a quiet atmosphere. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and the pizza is perfect.
For something a bit more refined, Highlawn (formerly Highlawn Pavilion) at Eagle Rock Reservation offers that "top of the world" feeling with a high-end menu. It’s the place where people go for anniversaries and proposals because, again, that view is unbeatable.
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But then you have the small gems. The Pie Store (technically just over the line in Montclair but frequented by everyone) or the various West African and Caribbean spots down the hill that offer flavors you just won't find in the more homogenized suburbs. McCloone’s Boathouse by the reservoir is great for a drink after walking the trail, especially in the fall when the leaves are turning.
The Diverse Fabric
West Orange is one of the most integrated towns in the region. That’s not just marketing speak; it’s the reality. You see it at the public pool (the Ginny Duenkel Pool, named after the local Olympic gold medalist). You see it at the Degnan Park Fourth of July celebration.
The town has a significant Jewish population, a large Black community, a growing Hispanic population, and a long-standing Irish and Italian heritage. This mix is what keeps the town from feeling stagnant. It's a place where different perspectives actually live side-by-side. Is it perfect? No. There are still debates about development, taxes, and traffic, just like anywhere else. But there is a shared sense of "West Orange Pride" that is very real.
Is West Orange Right for You?
If you need a train station within walking distance of your front door, probably not.
If you hate hills and snow (shoveling a West Orange driveway in January is a legitimate workout), you might want to look elsewhere.
But if you want a town with actual character, deep history, incredible parks, and a population that looks like the real world, West Orange is hard to beat. It’s a place where you can be a scientist, an artist, a lawyer, or a teacher and feel like you belong.
Actionable Steps for Exploring West Orange:
- Do the "View Drive": Start at the bottom of Eagle Rock Ave and drive all the way to the top. Stop at the 9/11 Memorial at sunset. It’s the fastest way to understand the town's geography.
- Check the Jitney Routes: If you’re a commuter, don't just look at the map. Look at the West Orange Township website for the jitney schedules to see which neighborhoods have the easiest access to the train.
- Visit the Zoo on a Weekday: If you have kids, avoid the weekend madness. Go on a Tuesday morning. It’s a completely different (and better) experience.
- Walk the Llewellyn Park Perimeter: You can't drive in without a pass, but you can walk along the outskirts to see the incredible architecture and massive trees that define the historic district.
- Eat at Star Tavern: Order a plain large and a sausage pie. See if you agree with the hype. (Pro tip: go at 4:00 PM to avoid the hour-long wait).
- Tour Edison's Lab: Don't just look at the buildings. Take the guided tour. The sheer volume of "stuff" Edison left behind is mind-blowing.
West Orange isn't trying to be any other town. It’s not trying to be "The New Montclair" or a cheaper version of Short Hills. It’s just West Orange. It’s rugged, it’s historic, and it’s arguably the most interesting suburb in Northern New Jersey.