10 Real Reasons People Are Moving to East Orange, New Jersey in 2025– Affordable Urban Living with NYC Access
Discover East Orange, NJ — a city with historic homes, fast NYC transit, and affordable real estate. Explore housing, schools, jobs, and culture in this full relocation guide.
📍 Where Is East Orange, New Jersey?
East Orange is located in Essex County, New Jersey, just 13 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. It borders Newark to the east, and South Orange and Orange to the west, with two train lines giving residents fast access to NYC and Northern NJ.
Fast Facts:
- Population: ~69,000
- Region: North Jersey (Essex County)
- Nearby Cities: Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, Irvington
- Known For: Commuter-friendly living, historic homes, and culture-rich neighborhoods
Want an NYC commute without the NYC price tag? East Orange says hello.
🌤️ Climate & Urban Landscape
East Orange experiences four distinct seasons, with leafy streets in the fall, snowy stoops in the winter, and plenty of green in spring and summer.
☀️ Weather Snapshot:
| Season | Avg Temp (°F) | Vibe You’ll Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 50–70 | Fresh, green, and hopeful 🌸 |
| Summer | 75–90 | Bustling blocks, shady porches ☀️ |
| Fall | 50–70 | Crisp air and golden trees 🍁 |
| Winter | 25–40 | Snowy sidewalks and cozy cafés ❄️ |
🏘️ Neighborhoods of East Orange – Character & Connectivity
East Orange has distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality. From stately homes in Presidential Heights to walkable apartments downtown, there’s a fit for every lifestyle.
🏡 Neighborhood Overview:
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Avg Home Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Heights | Historic, quiet | $420,000 | Large brick homes, tree-lined |
| Ampere | Walkable, transit-friendly | $390,000 | Close to Ampere Station |
| South Harrison | Up-and-coming, central | $400,000 | Mix of condos and multi-family |
| Greenwood | Affordable, residential | $360,000 | Classic homes, strong community |
| Brick Church | Urban, accessible | $410,000 | Commuter hotspot, lots of rentals |
Presidential Heights = classic charm. Brick Church = commuter’s dream. Greenwood = value-packed.
💼 Jobs & Economy – Local Living, Regional Work
Many East Orange residents work in NYC, Newark, or local health, education, and city services. It’s also gaining traction with remote workers and entrepreneurs.
🧑💼 Top Employers:
- East Orange General Hospital
- East Orange Board of Education
- City of East Orange
- Nearby hubs: Rutgers University, Prudential (Newark), Amazon Fulfillment Centers
💰 Economic Stats:
- Median Household Income: ~$52,000
- Unemployment Rate: ~5.5%
- Common careers: healthcare, education, retail, logistics, public administration
🏠 Real Estate – Affordable Urban Housing With Room to Grow
East Orange is known for beautiful historic homes, multi-family investment properties, and new apartment developments, all at prices much lower than surrounding areas.
🏠 Housing Market Snapshot:
| Area | Avg Home Price | Avg Rent (2BR) | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Heights | $420,000 | $2,000 | ~2.3% |
| Brick Church | $410,000 | $1,950 | ~2.2% |
| Ampere | $390,000 | $1,900 | ~2.1% |
| Greenwood | $360,000 | $1,850 | ~2.1% |
Housing Types:
- Large colonials and Tudors
- Multi-family homes (great for investors)
- Condo conversions and new builds
- Historic apartments with character
East Orange offers what NYC can’t: space, charm, and a mortgage you can manage.
🚆 Transportation – Fast, Frequent, and NYC-Ready
Commuting from East Orange is a breeze thanks to two NJ Transit train stations and multiple bus lines.
🚉 Transit Highlights:
- Brick Church Station → ~25 mins to NYC Penn Station
- East Orange Station → ~30 mins to NYC
- Ampere Station → light use, growing service
- Easy drive to Garden State Parkway, I-280, Route 21
- 15 mins to Newark Liberty Airport
Hop on a train in East Orange — be at your NYC office before your coffee cools.
🎓 Schools & Education – Improving with Investment
East Orange’s school system is undergoing major improvement, with a focus on STEM, arts, and early college programs.
🏫 School Overview:
- East Orange School District
- Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts – acclaimed magnet
- STEM Academy East Orange – advanced curriculum
- Charter options: Philip’s Academy, Marion P. Thomas School
- Nearby colleges: Rutgers-Newark, NJIT, Essex County College
The district is serious about preparing kids for the future — and the results are showing.
🏥 Healthcare – Local Hospitals, Regional Reach
East Orange is home to solid medical infrastructure, with easy access to major health systems in Newark and beyond.
🏥 Local Options:
- East Orange General Hospital
- VA Medical Center – East Orange Campus
- Access to: University Hospital Newark, Saint Michael’s, Clara Maass Medical Center
🌿 Parks, Recreation & Outdoor Space
East Orange packs green space into its urban grid, giving residents room to breathe and move.
🌳 Top Parks:
- Rowley Park – playgrounds, sports fields, events
- Sojourner Truth Park – peaceful and scenic
- Elmwood Park – dog-friendly, family-centered
- Nearby: Branch Brook Park (Newark) – cherry blossoms + trails
🍽️ Food, Cafes & Cultural Flavor
East Orange is a culinary melting pot, with soul food, Caribbean, Latin, West African, and American diner classics on almost every corner.
🍴 Local Favorites:
- Southern Comfort Café – catfish & grits heaven
- Safari African Restaurant – Nigerian cuisine
- Tony’s Soul Burgers – fusion and funky
- Kreme & Krumbs – craft ice cream spot
- Easy access to Newark’s Ironbound district for Portuguese & Brazilian eats
🕊️ Culture, Diversity & Local Life
East Orange is a majority-Black city, with strong Caribbean, African American, and Latino communities. You’ll find:
- Vibrant street life and civic pride
- Annual events: Juneteenth, Jazz in the Park, Back-to-School BBQ
- Active churches, mosques, and community centers
- Local art collectives, poetry nights, open mics
If you want real community, East Orange brings it — unfiltered, proud, and welcoming.
🛡️ Safety & Street Smarts
East Orange has reduced crime steadily in the past decade, thanks to community policing, youth programs, and neighborhood watch initiatives.
| Neighborhood | Safety Score (1–10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Heights | 2/10 | Quiet, stable, family-friendly |
| Greenwood | 4/10 | Affordable, mixed activity |
| Ampere | 5/10 | Urban but improving |
| Brick Church | 5/10 | Transit hub, more active at night |
Know your block, walk smart, and be part of the community — that’s the East Orange rhythm.
📊 East Orange Snapshot
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | ~69,000 |
| Median Home Price | ~$400,000 |
| Median Rent (2BR) | ~$1,950 |
| Commute to NYC | ~25–30 minutes |
| Property Tax Rate | ~2.2% |
| Diversity Index | Very High |
| School System | Rapidly improving |
✅ Should You Move to East Orange?
East Orange is ideal if you’re looking for:
- Affordable, spacious homes close to NYC
- A commuter-friendly location
- Community and culture over hype and hashtags
- Investment potential in housing and rentals
- A place that’s real, raw, and rising
Pros:
- Quick NYC train access
- Great housing prices
- Historic homes and real community
- Food, culture, and pride
- Good for investors and first-time buyers
Cons:
- Some schools still in development
- Not walkable everywhere
- Safety can vary block to block
🔗 External Resource
Check out the City of East Orange Official Website
🧠 Final Thoughts
East Orange, New Jersey is a city with soul, history, and potential. It’s where brownstones meet barbershops, where neighbors know each other, and where you can live large for less — while still being a train stop away from the action.
If you’re looking to own your space, invest in your future, and belong to a city that’s on the rise, East Orange might just be your next zip code.