10 Solid Reasons to Live in Essex County, New Jersey – The Real-Life Insider’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Essex County, New Jersey? Discover this full guide on housing, schools, transport, job market, lifestyle, and why Essex is where it’s at.
📍 Where Is Essex County, New Jersey?
Essex County sits right in the heart of North Jersey and punches way above its weight. It’s home to Newark (NJ’s largest city), some of the best parks in the state, vibrant cultural hubs, and a growing economy.
With access to NYC in under 30 minutes, Essex County is a magnet for professionals, students, entrepreneurs, artists—you name it.
Fast Facts:
- County Seat: Newark
- Population: ~860,000
- Major Cities: Newark, East Orange, Montclair, Bloomfield, West Orange
- Founded: 1683 (yep—super old)
- Claim to Fame: Newark Liberty International Airport, NJPAC, Prudential Center
Essex isn’t just one place—it’s a whole experience.
🌤️ Climate & Geography – Urban Jungle Meets Natural Beauty
Don’t be fooled by the city skylines—Essex County also has lush parks, rolling hills, and suburban calm just minutes from the action.
🗺️ Landscape Features:
- South Mountain Reservation 🌲
- Branch Brook Park (famous cherry blossoms)
- Watchung Mountains views
- Passaic River waterfronts
☀️ Year-Round Weather:
| Season | Avg Temp (°F) | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 50–70 | Cool, rainy, flowers 🌼 |
| Summer | 75–90 | Hot, great for BBQ ☀️ |
| Fall | 55–70 | Crisp, colorful 🍁 |
| Winter | 25–40 | Snowy, cozy ❄️ |
🏘️ Cities, Towns & Neighborhoods – What’s Your Flavor?
Whether you’re into urban high-rises, suburban peace, or artsy downtowns, Essex County delivers. It’s diverse, walkable in parts, and rich in history.
🏡 Popular Places to Live:
| Town/City | Lifestyle | Avg Home Price | Commute to NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair | Artsy, diverse, upscale | $710,000 | 30–40 min |
| West Orange | Suburban, green | $560,000 | 35–45 min |
| Newark | Urban, evolving | $380,000 | 20–25 min |
| Bloomfield | Balanced, central | $475,000 | 30 min |
| Maplewood | Hip, family-friendly | $600,000 | 30 min |
Montclair is the Brooklyn of New Jersey. Newark? It’s the comeback kid. Maplewood feels like a Hallmark movie set with Wi-Fi.
💼 Economy & Job Market – A Region on the Rise
Essex County is part of the Newark metro area, one of the most economically active spots in NJ. It’s a hub for healthcare, education, transportation, tech, and finance.
🏢 Top Employers:
- Prudential Financial
- Rutgers University–Newark
- Newark Public Schools
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Port Newark/Elizabeth Marine Terminal
💰 Income & Opportunities:
- Median Household Income: ~$68,000
- Remote Work-Friendly: High-speed internet + co-working spaces
- Unemployment Rate: ~5.5% (and improving)
Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or launching a side hustle, Essex is a solid launchpad.
🏠 Real Estate – From Condos to Colonials
Essex County offers a little bit of everything in real estate—high-rise lofts, historic row houses, and tree-lined cul-de-sacs.
🏠 Housing Market Comparison:
| Town | Avg. Home Price | Avg. Rent (2BR) | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair | $710,000 | $2,600 | High (~2.5%) |
| Newark | $380,000 | $1,800 | Medium (~2.1%) |
| Bloomfield | $475,000 | $2,200 | Medium (~2.3%) |
| West Orange | $560,000 | $2,300 | High (~2.4%) |
💡 Real Estate Notes:
- Montclair and Maplewood are in-demand for NYC expats
- Newark is full of redevelopment and investment buzz
- Plenty of multi-family homes for investors
🚇 Transportation – A Commuter’s Paradise
Essex County is one of the most transit-connected counties in NJ. Whether you’re headed to Midtown Manhattan or just around town, you’ll get there fast.
🚆 Transit Options:
- NJ Transit trains to NYC (via Newark Broad, Newark Penn, etc.)
- PATH trains to NYC from Harrison/Newark
- Light rail in Newark
- Buses to Port Authority & Jersey City
- Newark Liberty International Airport ✈️
From here, you can get anywhere… literally.
🎓 Schools & Higher Education – Brainy & Proud
From top-notch public schools to respected universities, Essex County has some serious academic credentials.
🏫 Best Public School Districts:
- Montclair Public Schools
- Millburn Township Schools
- South Orange-Maplewood Schools
- West Essex Regional School District
🎓 Colleges & Universities:
- Rutgers University–Newark
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Seton Hall University
- Essex County College
- Montclair State University (nearby)
Smart kids, great schools, and campuses buzzing with energy? Check, check, check.
🏥 Healthcare – Some of NJ’s Best
Essex County is home to world-class hospitals and healthcare systems.
🏥 Major Hospitals:
- University Hospital (Newark) – Level 1 Trauma Center
- Saint Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston)
- Clara Maass Medical Center (Belleville)
- Hackensack Meridian–Mountainside Medical Center
If healthcare access is a priority—you’re covered here.
🎡 Entertainment, Food & Culture – Never Boring
This is where Essex really shows off. Museums, music, pro sports, street food, and world-class restaurants—it’s all here.
🎨 Must-Visit Spots:
- Newark Museum of Art
- NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
- Prudential Center (concerts, NJ Devils hockey)
- Branch Brook Park (cherry blossoms)
- Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange)
🍴 Where to Eat:
- Forno’s of Spain (Newark) – Spanish classics
- Ani Ramen House (Maplewood & Montclair) – umami bliss
- Fascino (Montclair) – fancy but worth it
- Hobby’s Deli – old-school perfection
🛍️ Shopping & Daily Life
You’ll find a mix of big-box convenience and quirky local gems.
🛍️ Shopping Zones:
- Short Hills Mall (luxury brands galore)
- Bloomfield Center (revitalized with restaurants)
- Newark Ironbound District (Portuguese and Brazilian markets)
- Montclair’s Church Street (boutiques + coffee)
🕊️ Culture, Diversity & Community Vibes
Essex County is one of the most culturally diverse counties in the U.S., and you feel it in the food, art, languages, and energy.
- Huge Latino, Black, Portuguese, Caribbean, and South Asian populations
- Multilingual services in most cities
- Active houses of worship: churches, mosques, temples, synagogues
- Cultural events year-round: Portugal Day Parade, AfroBeat Fest, Montclair Film Festival
It’s like living in a world tour, every day.
🛡️ Safety & Neighborhood Insight
Safety varies by neighborhood—Newark has some rougher blocks, but also booming zones with police-backed redevelopment projects.
| Area | Crime Level (1–10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montclair | 2/10 | Very safe & walkable |
| Newark (North Ironbound) | 4/10 | Safer area of the city |
| West Orange | 3/10 | Family-friendly |
| East Orange | 6/10 | Transitional zone |
Know your neighborhoods, talk to locals, and visit during day and night.
📊 Essex County Snapshot
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | ~860,000 |
| Median Income | ~$68,000 |
| Median Home Price | ~$500,000 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43% |
| Avg Commute to NYC | 30–40 minutes |
| Top School Ranking | Montclair: 9/10 |
✅ Should You Move to Essex County?
👍 Pros:
- Close to NYC (like, really close)
- Cultural + culinary explosion
- Strong job market
- Good schools + universities
- Tons to do on weekends
👎 Cons:
- Property taxes can be high
- Some areas need urban improvement
- Traffic congestion (especially near Newark)
🔗 External Resource
Explore more at the Official Essex County Website
🧠 Final Thoughts
If you want to stay close to NYC, enjoy a diverse, exciting lifestyle, and have options ranging from quiet suburbia to buzzy city living, Essex County, New Jersey might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Live smart. Live close. Live Essex.