You know your budget. You just don’t know which town yet.
If you’re relocating to the New York metro area—or ready to leave the city—and you’ve got a real budget for a home in northern New Jersey, you’re in an enviable position. You can choose almost any town along the Midtown Direct train line. The hard part isn’t finding a house. It’s deciding where you want your life to be.
That’s the question I help buyers answer. Every week.
I’m Perri Feldman, and for over 20 years I’ve helped buyers across more than two dozen New Jersey communities figure out which town actually fits how they live—not just which town has the prettiest listings on Zillow this month. Some of my clients arrive certain they want Short Hills and end up loving Madison. Others assume Summit is “the one” and discover Maplewood has the energy they didn’t know they were craving.
This guide is the conversation I have with every new buyer. No sales pitch. No agenda for any one town. Just an honest look at the corridor I’ve called home for my entire life.
Why “The Midtown Direct Corridor” Matters
Most NJ Realtors specialize in one or two towns. That’s helpful if you already know where you want to live. It’s a problem if you don’t.
The Midtown Direct train line is the spine of New Jersey’s most desirable commuter suburbs—a 30-mile arc running from Maplewood and South Orange in the east through Millburn/Short Hills, Summit, Chatham, Madison, and Morristown to the west, with Westfield, Livingston, West Orange, Montclair, Glen Ridge, Scotch Plains, and Roseland all within easy reach. From most of these towns, you can be at New York Penn Station in 35 to 55 minutes.
Each town along this corridor has a distinct personality. They’re not interchangeable. Choosing the right one comes down to four questions:
- What does the commute actually need to look like?
- Which school district matches your priorities?
- How will you spend your weekends?
- What kind of community do you want to be part of?
Let’s walk through each one.
Question 1: The Commute Reality Check
The phrase “Midtown Direct” matters because these trains go directly into Penn Station without transferring. But not every town’s commute is created equal.
- Express service (35–45 min to Penn Station): Short Hills, Summit, Madison, Chatham
- Local service with frequent trains (45–55 min): Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn
- Multiple lines available: Summit (Gladstone branch)
- Montclair-Boonton line stations: Glen Ridge, Montclair (multiple stops)
- Towns with jitney/shuttle service to nearby train stations:
- Livingston runs a jitney to South Orange Station
- West Orange runs a jitney to Orange, South Orange, and Brick Church Stations
- Towns requiring a longer drive or bus connection:
- Roseland — bus service to Newark Train Station
The jitney service in Livingston and West Orange is a hidden gem most buyers don’t know about until I tell them. If your commute is occasional rather than daily, these towns open up significantly.
Question 2: Schools — A Major Selling Point of This Corridor
Schools are one of the primary reasons buyers choose this corridor over other parts of New Jersey. Every district along the Midtown Direct line is well-regarded, but each has its own character:
- Millburn (Millburn/Short Hills): Consistently ranked among NJ’s top school districts. Highly competitive academics, strong arts and athletics programs. Feeds into Millburn High School.
- Summit: Smaller K-12 district with newer facilities and tight community feel. Strong continuity from elementary through high school.
- Madison: Excellent academic ratings with a less intense atmosphere than some neighboring districts. Strong arts and AP programs, smaller class sizes.
- Chatham: Top-tier district with extensive community involvement. Highly rated across all measures.
- Maplewood/South Orange (SOMSD): Combined district known for diverse curriculum, strong humanities, and notable arts programs. A different cultural feel than the western suburbs.
- Livingston: Highly rated district with one of New Jersey’s largest high schools. Strong academic and athletic programs.
- Westfield: Top-rated schools with particularly strong athletic and music programs.
- Montclair: Magnet school system with arts focus, urban-suburban hybrid environment.
- Glen Ridge: One of NJ’s smallest and most intimate districts.
- Scotch Plains: Solid academic reputation with growing recognition.
The “best” school district isn’t always the highest-ranked one—it’s the one whose culture and approach matches your priorities. I can speak to the strengths and personalities of each because I’ve worked with buyers placing children into all of them for two decades.
Question 3: Lifestyle — How Do You Want to Spend Your Weekends?
This is the question buyers underestimate most.
- Close to vibrant downtowns with restaurants and cafes: Maplewood, South Orange, Madison, Westfield, Summit, Montclair, Millburn
- Estate-style privacy and larger lot sizes: Short Hills, parts of Livingston, Roseland, parts of Chatham Township
- Luxury shopping access: Short Hills (The Mall at Short Hills—Neiman Marcus, Hermès, Tiffany’s)
- Strong arts and culture scenes: Maplewood, South Orange, Montclair, Madison (Drew University)
- Outdoor recreation: Chatham Township (Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge), South Mountain Reservation (bordering Millburn/West Orange), Watchung Reservation (near Westfield/Mountainside), Loantaka Brook Reservation
- Country club culture: Established clubs throughout Short Hills, Summit, Westfield, Livingston, and Morristown
My Personal Take on the Active Life Here
I don’t just sell homes in this corridor—I live the active life here. My tennis has taken me across the area’s best clubs over the years—currently at Summit Tennis Club, and previously at Morristown Field Club, Center Court, and historic Orange Lawn Tennis Club. I know the public courts, the private clubs, and where to find rare grass courts in New Jersey.
As an avid cyclist, most weekends you’ll find me on the gravel trails in Bedminster, the loops through the Great Swamp, or out in Tewksbury. I know which trails are best for road cycling, which routes work for gravel riding, and where the post-ride coffee is worth stopping for.
My Favorite Spots to Eat
When buyers ask where to eat in this corridor, my current go-to recommendations are La Pergola and Vinnie’s in Millburn, Osteria LK in Maplewood, and Osteria Trevi in Madison. I’m also looking forward to the openings of Matsumoto in Morristown and Dilli Dilli in Millburn. This area’s restaurant scene has come a long way over the past 20 years.
This isn’t research. It’s experience.
Question 4: Community — Finding the Right Fit
Each town has a distinct personality. Some are more traditional, others more contemporary. Some prioritize quiet residential streets; others have lively downtowns. Some have historic charm; others have newer construction. None of these are better or worse—just different.
This part of the decision is harder to explain in writing. It’s the conversation I have over coffee with new buyers, walking through what you’re looking for and matching it to what each town actually offers. By the time we’re done, you’ll know which two or three towns belong on your shortlist—and which ones don’t.
A Snapshot of the Corridor: Where You Might Land
Here’s a quick overview of the towns I work in most. Each has its own dedicated guide on this site:
| Town | Known For | Price Range Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Short Hills/Millburn | Top-ranked schools, The Mall at Short Hills, estate homes | $1.5M – $5M+ |
| Summit | Active downtown, smaller-scale luxury, multiple train lines | $1.5M – $4M |
| Madison | Charming downtown, top schools, Drew University | $1.2M – $2.5M |
| Livingston | Larger lot sizes, top schools, jitney to train | $1M – $2.5M |
| Maplewood | Diverse community, arts focus, train-line access | $900K – $2M |
| South Orange | Train access, downtown, Seton Hall University | $800K – $1.8M |
| Chatham | Top-rated schools, classic suburban setting | $1.2M – $3M |
| Westfield | Lively downtown, top schools, classic charm | $1M – $3M |
| West Orange | Range of housing options, parks, jitney to train | $600K – $2M |
| Montclair | Arts scene, magnet schools, urban-suburban mix | $900K – $2.5M |
| Glen Ridge | Small, distinctive, intimate community | $1M – $2M |
| Scotch Plains | Value pricing, community feel, growing | $700K – $1.5M |
| Roseland | Newer construction, quiet streets | $900K – $2M |
Why I Can Help You Make This Decision
I cover all of these towns. Not as a generalist who knows a little about each—but as a Realtor who has actually closed transactions in 24 different NJ communities. I know which Madison neighborhoods have larger backyards and which don’t. I know which Maplewood streets are closer to the train and which require more of a drive. I know why some buyers love Livingston and others find it doesn’t fit.
I’m a lifelong local. I attended Deerfield School in Short Hills when it was brand new and graduated from Millburn High School. My husband graduated from Livingston High School. This isn’t a market I moved to—it’s the only one I’ve ever known.
I serve buyers and sellers equally. That matters because I’m not a listing-only specialist trying to push you into the homes I happen to have for sale. My job is helping you find the right home in the right town.
I also work with longtime homeowners ready to transition. As a Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), I bring specialized training to clients who are right-sizing, downsizing, or relocating—whether that means moving to a more manageable home in the same town, transitioning to a 55+ community, or relocating closer to family. The financial, emotional, and logistical considerations of this kind of move are different from a typical purchase, and I’m trained specifically for it.
My credentials reflect 20 years of consistent recognition:
- Five Star Real Estate Agent — 2011–2026 (top 2% in NJ for 15 consecutive years)
- Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) & Million Dollar Guild
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
- Certified Internet Professional (e-PRO)
- Featured in The New York Times for NJ market insight
- 200+ closed transactions across 24 NJ communities
The Next Step: A Real Conversation
I don’t pressure buyers. I don’t push you toward a town that doesn’t fit. And I won’t waste your time showing you homes that don’t match what you’re actually looking for.
What I do, instead, is sit down with you—over coffee, over Zoom, on a phone call—and listen. We talk about your work, your commute, your priorities, and what you want your life here to look like. Then I tell you honestly which towns make sense to explore and which probably don’t.
If you’d like to start that conversation, I’d love to hear from you.
📞 (973) 650-4727
✉️ perri@midtowndirecthomes.com
📍 518 Millburn Avenue, Suite 102, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Perri K. Feldman is a Sales Associate with Keller Williams Realty in Short Hills and Summit, New Jersey. She has helped 200+ clients buy and sell homes along the Midtown Direct corridor in Essex, Morris, Union, and Somerset Counties.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Perri K. Feldman is a licensed real estate Sales Associate with Keller Williams Realty in New Jersey.