about Montclair (Clifton, Bloomfield, West Orange: neighborhoods, buy, middle schools)

[White Leaf]

Hello everybody!
Montclair looked nice last time we were there, but it is the first opinion, right? or no? how is it to live there? How are the schools? (it is a separate question and a serious one) Can someone, please, explain the school situation? Thanx in advance.

[mumra]

West or east of valley rd? West of valley is obviously more desirable area but also cost much more.
I find that upper and lower is similar to the haves and have-nots. There is a big gap in terms of salaries between the two areas. School ranks at 85 out of 316 pretty sad for high taxes. Nightlife is nice we frequent cuban pete's. Montclair also has a headshop called the Inner eye, when I was younger I thought it was nice for town to have such a store operate in the town limits but in my older age I would not want a store like that in my neighborhood. I don’t know how it is now but years ago you had to knock to get in lol

[White Leaf]

Originally Posted by mumra

West or east of valley rd? West of valley is obviously more desirable area but also cost much more.
I find that upper and lower is similar to the haves and have-nots. There is a big gap in terms of salaries between the two areas. School ranks at 85 out of 316 pretty sad for high taxes. Nightlife is nice we frequent cuban pete's. Montclair also has a headshop called the Inner eye, when I was younger I thought it was nice for town to have such a store operate in the town limits but in my older age I would not want a store like that in my neighborhood. I don’t know how it is now but years ago you had to knock to get in lol

thank you very much for your answer. do you think it's a good place to have a family? we have a two year old and worried about schools in the area. i can's say i'm familiar with the magnet shcool system, since i received my education in a different counry.

[GiantRutgersfan]

Originally Posted by White Leaf

thank you very much for your answer. do you think it's a good place to have a family? we have a two year old and worried about schools in the area. i can's say i'm familiar with the magnet shcool system, since i received my education in a different counry.

The schools are decent. For the most part the schools have good kids, but there are some issues that pop up... For instance last year 3 High schoolers raped a retarded girl

3 Montclair High students accused of sexual assault - NJ.com

I do think it is a nice town though, and on the upswing. I would not worry about the elementary schools at all. There are several different elementary and middle schools in town, So unless you buy in the one area of town which is less desirable, you will be fine. but eventually everyone will go to the same HS.

[CaptainNJ]

Originally Posted by mumra

West or east of valley rd? West of valley is obviously more desirable area but also cost much more.
I find that upper and lower is similar to the haves and have-nots. There is a big gap in terms of salaries between the two areas. School ranks at 85 out of 316 pretty sad for high taxes. Nightlife is nice we frequent cuban pete's. Montclair also has a headshop called the Inner eye, when I was younger I thought it was nice for town to have such a store operate in the town limits but in my older age I would not want a store like that in my neighborhood. I don’t know how it is now but years ago you had to knock to get in lol

what does a headshop sell?

[GiantRutgersfan]

Originally Posted by CaptainNJ

what does a headshop sell?

marijuana pipes and bongs

[Love2Golf09]

I would say that Montclair schools are pretty bad. I mean, they aren't a complete disaster, but for the amount of $$$ you spend on a house, it's a shame that the schools are that bad. A lot of it has to do with kids from other areas coming into the school system and nobody checking to make sure they live there. Similar thing has been going on in Bloomfield, Clifton, West Orange, and other places. Montclair is a nice area with a lot of stuff to do and has several trains to take you into the city. It has a very liberal vibe to it also. If you don't shop at Whole Foods, then you're a neocon, racist, warmonger, homophobe that doesn't care about the environment and probably drives an SUV.

If schools are such a big concern, I would look into Nutley. Nutley is very close to Montclair, so you could certainly live in Nutley and drive into Montclair pretty quickly for anything happening there. Nutley is real close to Rt21, Rt3, the GSP, etc. but a bit farther away from the trains. I believe there are some private bus companies that go through Nutley though. Also, housing in Nutley is a little cheaper, prices are more stable, schools are far better than Montclair, and it is a really family-friendly community with several very nice parks.

[seque5tra]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

marijuana pipes and bongs

Narc alert!

You're supposed to say 'water pipes, smoking devices and rolling papers intended for the consumption of tobacco products'.

You are not getting buzzed in.

[brookdaleresident]

Valley Rd isn't really the dividng line. There are beautiful neighborhoods on both sides. I would avoid most of the areas right off Bloomfield Ave, especially those closer to Glen Ridge. There are several sections of the town. There's Watchung Plaza which is mostly residential and has a small shopping area. There's upper Montclair (along Valley Rd) which also is residential but does have shops, restaurants, etc. Downtown Montclair, (Bloomfield Ave) has a more urban feel. Lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. Schools are good, especially the elementary. Parents and their children visit the different schools in town to see what they have to offer and submit a request with their choices. Most people I know get their first choice.
Montclair Public Schools - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Montclair Public Schools

[mumra]

Originally Posted by White Leaf

do you think it's a good place to have a family?

there is no way to answer that objectively. Based on our requirements and needs montclair would not fit the bill, but that is our opinion.