Montclair - Watchung Station/Edgemont Park Area? (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge: houses, neighborhood)

[ivywhyvy]

Hey all, thanks in advance for any help here. Husband and I are looking for houses in Montclair, moving out of Queens (im Queens born and bred, ready to finally get out though). I've done a bit of research on Montclair and definitely understand the issues around Bay Street station and surrounding area, but as far as the rest of montclair, are there any other areas you'd advise against? We are going to be viewing some houses right near edgemont park, and within a 7-10 min walk to the Watchung train station. A couple are on the OTHER side of the train, closer to Brookdale park. I'm leaning towards this general area as we want the easiest commute, rather than adding a stop or two if we're in upper montclair, but is it relatively safe? Any issues or things to think about? Are looking to settle and have a family here so want something that feels right.

Thanks!

[JaRuss01]

Totally safe. We circled that area as a sweet spot too. Walnut st and watchung stations within walking distance. Let’s call it mid/upper montclair. Just north enough to be away from Bay Street riff raff without adding too much time for the train. The train times on paper are pretty aggressive and a bit longer during peak hours. Maybe 5 minutes longer on average, and 10 min longer once a week each way.

A train to upper upper montclair like by mountain Ave and MSU is a long haul in reality. 50 min on paper probably is close to an hour train ride a decent percent of the time.

There is also a bus on grove street that probably beats out the train if you get it before 7am or after 7pm. The bus is actually quicker the more north you are, so people in upper upper montclair May choose the bus over the train.

Anyway we lost a few bids in that Walnut/watchung area. 789k ask, sold 950. 799k ask, sold 985. Ended up in Glen Ridge. Whicch has better schools and a shorter train (but not walking distance, however there is jitney).

I would avoid areas such as north of brookdale park which forces you to take the bus, not the train. The taxes are way too high, IMO, to commute via bus. You’re paying a premium for a direct train town, so try to use it

[ansky]

Montclair as a whole is very safe. There are only a few "bad" streets which is the area around Mission St. off Bloomfield Ave.

[redcat1977]

Hello,

I live in the Watchung Plaza area and happy to answer any questions about Montclair. We moved to Montclair nearly 5 years ago and have not looked back. The most amazing place to live and raise a family.

[MontclairNative]

Watchung area is my top recommendation for people moving to Montclair, Erwin park in particular if you can afford it. You have a choice of bus (weekends or stuck train bridge), it's central (people won't begrudge carpooling your kids assuming you have or plan to) and your kids can walk to the HS. I used to live right off Watchung Plaza and now closer to Claremont. I grew up next to Brookdale park and in HS lived South of Bloomfield. Miss the old Watchung neighborhood. As mentioned, the further North you live, the better the bus option becomes.