Are you thinking of moving to the suburbs of New Jersey? Whether you’re looking to move to a family-friendly NJ suburb or a New Jersey suburb with a vibrant downtown- we have a diverse list for you.
We did the research for you and took into account schools, median sale price, commute to NYC as well as proximity to shops and restaurants.
Here are the best suburbs in New Jersey.
Best New Jersey Suburbs
1. Summit, NJ
Summit is one of the best suburbs in New Jersey. It is an affluent Union County city known for its highly rated public schools, vibrant downtown area, and a plethora of parks and recreational activities.
It is an upscale NJ suburb with easy access to NYC. You can take the train to Manhattan without transfers and it takes less than an hour. And it’s conveniently located near the major highways- Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike and I-78.
There is also a vibrant restaurant scene in Summit. You can spend your weekends at the Summit Farmers Market, enjoy a play at the Summit Playhouse or take a leisurely stroll in the Watchung Reservation (great cross country skiing in the winter!).
Median Sale Price
The median sale price of homes in Summit is $1,040,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Summit is approximately 20 miles west of Manhattan, with the direct train taking about 50 minutes to Penn Station.
2. Montclair, NJ
When it comes to relocating to NJ, Montclair is a very popular suburb of New Jersey. Located in Essex County, it has a good mix of urban and suburban living with a rich arts scene and vibrant restaurant scene.
Montclair is a liberal community with strong ties to the arts. The town is home to the Montclair Art Museum and Montclair Film Festival.
Montclair has a bustling downtown area with a mix of chain stores and local boutiques, including a range of restaurants from casual eateries to high-end dining options.
While the town retains some of its original funkiness, it has grown more upscale over the years. Despite its suburban setting, Montclair offers a walkable downtown area and direct train service to Manhattan. However, like most NJ suburbs, a car is necessary.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Montclair is $845,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Montclair is about 12 miles west of Manhattan. The commute is approximately 40 minutes by train to Penn Station.
Find out what it’s like to live in Montclair, NJ. Check out our interview with a Montclair resident.
3. Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood is a suburb of New Jersey known for its excellent school system, bustling downtown area, and charming homes.
It’s an excellent place to raise a family, with its highly-rated school system and family-friendly summers in the town lake (Graydon Pool). There are also a lot of community events in Ridgewood such as the 4th of July parade and fireworks and summer concert series.
Ridgewood has a charming downtown area with a vibrant restaurant scene offering plenty of restaurant options.
Besides its vibrant food scene, Ridgewood is also a commuter’s dream with convenient bus and train access to NYC, making it an appealing choice for those working in the city.
Ridgewood is just a short drive away from Paramus Mall, adding to the town’s convenience factor. With its well-established downtown and upscale neighborhoods, Ridgewood offers an appealing blend of suburban living with city-like amenities.
Median Sale Price
The median home sale price in Ridgewood is $923,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Ridgewood is approximately 20 miles northwest of Manhattan, and the commute by train takes about an hour to Penn Station.
Check out the North NJ towns with the highest and lowest property taxes
4. Essex Fells, NJ
Essex Fells is one of the best suburbs of New Jersey. It is also one of the wealthiest towns in New Jersey.
Located in Essex County, it is a small, affluent NJ town known for its secluded feel, large beautiful homes, and top-rated schools. It’s a haven for those seeking an upscale NJ suburb.
While Essex Fells lacks a traditional downtown, it’s just a short drive away from larger New Jersey towns with more shopping and dining options.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Essex Fells is $1,071,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Essex Fells is about 20 miles west of Manhattan. The commute by car is approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
5. Princeton, NJ
Princeton is one of the best suburbs in NJ. Aside from being home to the prestigious Princeton University, Princeton is home to great shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
Located in Mercer County, Princeton has numerous attractions, including the beautiful Princeton University Art Museum.
Median Sale Price
Homes in Princeton have a median sale price of $1,008,000.
Commute to Philadelphia
Princeton is approximately 45 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The commute by car is around an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
Check out the most affordable towns in North Jersey
6. Edgewater, NJ
If you are looking for a suburb with great views of Manhattan and an easy commute to New York City, then Edgewater may be the NJ suburb for you.
Located in Bergen County, Edgewater is a vibrant urban-suburban town with an variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Edgewater is known for having stunning views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, and the riverfront area is home to high-end apartments as well as lots of shopping including big box retailers like Target and CityPlace.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Edgewater is $672,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Edgewater is approximately 5 miles from Manhattan. The ferry takes around 15 minutes to Midtown, and the commute by bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal takes about 30 minutes.
7. Westfield, NJ
Westfield is one of the best NJ suburb to live in. Located in Union County, Westfield has a vibrant downtown, highly-rated schools as well as parks and community events- attracting lots of families.
The town’s downtown area is a hub of activity, especially during the warmer months when the town comes alive with outside dining, jazz nights, and various fairs.
The selection of wonderful restaurants and shops adds to the town’s charm and livability.
For those needing to commute to NYC, both train and bus options are readily available, making Westfield a prime choice for families seeking a balance between suburban life and city accessibility.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price of homes in Westfield is $948,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Westfield is about 25 miles southwest of Manhattan, with a train commute time of about an hour to Penn Station.
8. Chatham, NJ
Chatham is one of the best suburbs of New Jersey. Located in Morris County, Chatham is known for its highly-ranked public school system and quaint downtown area.
Chatham has a charming town with a small Main Street with shops and restaurants, including the town’s library. Chatham residents do need to drive to go to the nearby larger shopping center for their groceries.
The blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences makes Chatham an attractive place for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with the amenities of a larger town.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price of homes in Chatham is $933,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Chatham is approximately 25 miles west of Manhattan, with a direct train ride taking around 1 hour to Penn Station.
8. Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes is an affluent suburb of New Jersey. Located in Bergen County, Franklin Lakes is known for its large homes, excellent school system, and parks.
Franklin Lakes is the perfect town if you like water activities where you can enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding.
There are also swim clubs and country clubs to join in Franklin Lakes such as the Indian Trail Club.
For those who enjoy winter sports, the Camp Gaw Ski Resort is conveniently located. Franklin Lakes prides itself on its Blue Ribbon school district.
Median Sale Price
The median home sale price in Franklin Lakes is $1,354,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Franklin Lakes is approximately 25 miles northwest of Manhattan. The commute by car is around an hour, depending on traffic.
Find out what it’s like to live in Franklin Lakes. Check out our interview with a Franklin Lakes mom.
9. Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken is one of the best suburbs of New Jersey. Located in Hudson County, Hoboken has a vibrant urban vibe with a thriving bar and restaurant scene and lots of boutique shops.
Hoboken residents enjoy one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. Hoboken is also an easy commute to NYC just 15 minutes on the PATH train!
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Hoboken is $807,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Hoboken is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The commute is about 15 minutes by PATH train to downtown Manhattan.
Find out what it’s like to live in Hoboken, NJ. Check out our interview with a Hoboken mom.
10. Cranford, NJ
Cranford is another suburb of NJ known for its excellent school system.
Located in Union County, Cranford is a charming town with a nice downtown area. The town is bisected by the Rahway River, so residents can enjoy recreational activities such as canoeing and fishing.
The commute to NYC from Cranford is convenient with both train and bus options available. While the train commute from Cranford requires a change at Newark Penn, the transfer is typically easy, adding to the appeal of Cranford for those working in the city.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price of homes in Cranford is $503,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Cranford is approximately 20 miles southwest of Manhattan, with a train commute time of about 50 minutes to Penn Station.
11. Glen Rock, NJ
Glen Rock is a family friendly suburb of New Jersey. Located in Bergen County, Glen Rock is known for its excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and bustling downtown filled with shops and restaurants.
Median Sale Price
The median home sale price in Glen Rock is $802,000.
Commute to Downtown
Manhattan
Glen Rock is approximately 22 miles northwest of Manhattan, and the commute by train takes about 50 minutes to Penn Station.
12. Tenafly, NJ
Tenafly is a suburb of NJ known for its highly rated schools. Located in Bergen County, Tenafly has a bustling downtown, a diverse community, and beautiful homes.
Tenafly has the advantage of being to close NYC. The town is walkable with a small, yet vibrant downtown area featuring a range of restaurants and a movie theater.
Median Sale Price
The median home sale price in Tenafly is $1,169,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Tenafly is approximately 15 miles north of Manhattan. The commute by car is around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
13. Basking Ridge, NJ
Basking Ridge is an affluent suburb of New Jersey. It is located in Somerset County with beautiful parks and a quaint downtown.
Basking Ridge is a wonderful place to raise a family. Known for its excellent schools and family-friendly amenities such as the Somerset YMCA where there are indoor pools and slides for kids!
Basking Ridge has a slight rural vibe and is a town that is less crowded.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Basking Ridge is $917,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Basking Ridge is about 40 miles west of Manhattan. The commute by train takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Penn Station.
14. Demarest
Demarest is a New Jersey suburb with highly rated-schools. It is located in Bergen County, Demarest is known for its tight-knit community and small-town charm.
It is a small, upscale town in NJ known for its excellent school. The school district in Demarest is small which can be an appealing choice for families who want smaller public schools.
Median Sale Price
The median sale price for homes in Demarest is $1,658,000.
Commute to Downtown Manhattan
Demarest is about 20 miles north of Manhattan. The commute by car is around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.