Mountainside

Enjoy community activities, including pools and recreation centers, and visit the gorgeous forests and stables of Watchung Reservation. There is a lingering sense of countryside even though the town is so close to Westfield and Summit. With about one-third of the borough being parkland, Mountainside may be one of the most densely wooded communities in the Central New Jersey area. Mountainside mainly comprises of a series of wooded back roads, many lacking sidewalks - driving through the Borough is almost like entering a different world.

Virtually all the housing comprises of owner-occupied, single family detached homes. Most of the housing was built before 1970 in a variety of styles, although there are many ranches in the mix. There are also some large, newly constructed homes where old homes have been demolished. The higher up the mountain you live, the better the view of New York City and the higher the prices. It's possible to find a home with a view of the Manhattan skyline and backing up to the Watchung Reservation. Some of the housing on the terraced streets have steep backyards due to mountain living. Despite its relatively high housing prices, one of the other attractions of the town is a lower effective tax rate than neighboring towns such as Summit and Westfield. Many sellers are empty nesters or retirees and the buyers are a mixture of young professional couples and older people looking for lower property taxes.

Discover the community

Commuting

The New Jersey Transit bus operates Route 114 which provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, making local stops at points in proximate communities. Unlike most towns along Route 22, zoning in Mountainside does not allow for much commercial development adjacent to the freeway. There is no train service in Mountainside, but residents can commute to the nearby Summit Train Station where they can take a train direct to Manhattan.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 11 miles east of Mountainside.

Dining

The main shopping area is the three-block retail district on Mountain Avenue. It has been renovated with concrete paver sidewalks and Victorian style street lamps. The stores include The Bake Zone, Mazzella's Gourmet Market, Christoffer's Flowers & Gifts and a couple of restaurants including Publick House and Daimatsu Japanese Sushi Bar

Explore

If you live in Mountainside, it's easy to enjoy the facilities offered by the Watchung Reservation. This incredibly beautiful 2,000-acre wooded reservation is ideal for horseback riding, hiking and fishing. It features an arboretum, athletic field, bridle trails, a cross country ski course, nature trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and the Deserted Village of Feltville. Located within the reservation is The Watchung Riding Stable providing the opportunity to learn how to ride, enhance equestrian skills or just enjoy the natural beauty of the 26 miles of bridle paths that weave through the reservation.

Mountainside Recreation Department provides a variety of programs and activities for residents of all ages including sports and fitness programs. A Community Room at Borough Hall is open for meetings and events. There is also a game room and senior fitness room available. Mountainside also maintains a community pool offering a 50-meter Olympic pool, diving tank, wading pools, water slides, basketball courts, locker rooms, snack bar, etc.

On the West side of town is Echo Lake Park, a beautiful 139-acre park with two lakes. There is boating, skating and fishing as well as picnic areas, ball fields, playgrounds and the Union County Memorial to September 11, 2001. Located in Echo Lake Park is also the dog park, a favorite place for local residents to bring their dogs with good facilities and a separate area for smaller dogs.

Mountainside Schools

The children of residents benefit from an excellent school system and attend the Mountainside School District up until High School. Beechwood for Pre-K through 2nd Grade, followed by Deerfield from 3rd through 8th Grade. After that, public school students in 9th through 12th Grade attend Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. Students also have the choice to attend the programs of the Union County Vocational/Technical School which serves students from across Union County.

Schools

  • Beechwood School (PK-2) 
  • Deerfield School (Grades 3-8)
  • Governor Livingston High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Union County Vocational/Technical 

Enjoy all that Mountainside has to offer. If you’re interested in calling Mountainside home, let us know! We have a wealth of buyer resources to help you get started with the home buying process. Check out our featured properties or use our search feature to find a home that fits your lifestyle.

If you’re selling your Mountainside home, we’re sad to see you go. We know the home selling process can be stressful, so list with us and we’ll take care to make sure your real estate transaction goes smoothly and successfully. Find out information about selling your home with our resources, which include information on what your home is worth and how we can sell for more money. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us.