Montclair - Estate Section (Bloomfield, Harrison: house, neighborhood, living in)

[kashkab]

Hi all,

We are looking at a house in the seemingly obscure "estate section" of Montclair. Roughly the area south of Bloomfield and west of Harrison, several blocks below the Art Museum. From previous threads such as the one at Upper Montclair vs. Estates Section , it seems like no one knew much about the area.

Similar to that poster, we are a family with two young kids, 2 and 4, looking in the 1.5m-2m range, which seems less common in upper Montclair.

Some questions for your consideration:

What is this neighborhood like?
Is there a community feel?
Are there lots of families with kids?
Is it easy to drive to Bay St or Walnut St stations in the mornings from this neighborhood?

Thanks for your input!

[Citytomontclair]

We just moved into the estate section and love it. Lots of new families moving into the neighborhood, we have 2 young children, and love that we have a large property (which is not as common in upper Montclair) and are walking distance to church street and downtown shops. Gives us the walkable city feel that we loved about living in cities before moving to Montclair.

[EANJ]

I have a few friends who live in that area -- and they love it. While the properties are large, and some people feel that takes away from a neighborly/intimacy feel, my friends don't feel that way at all. They know their neighbors, and even the ones not in their own demographic -- they know them, like them, etc. I've been told by them that there are many new, younger families moving into this section, and that's always a good thing, and there is a nice neighborhood, small-town community feel to living in this section.

My one friend, moved in, and there was an older couple next door -- original homeowners, who raised their kids there, etc. -- and they said they are great, caring, wonderful neighbors. There's a nice mix of people who live there, culture, etc. Good luck with your search!!!