Livingston is also home to the renowned Saint Barnabas Medical Center, which is one of the finest, medically advanced health facilities in the tri-state area. A top ranked National hospital, the nonsectarian facility treats more than 300,000 patients and delivers 7,000 babies annually. Livingston is a draw for many medical professionals, with 45 dental practices and 120 medical offices or related medical services throughout town.
Livingston has a multitude of houses of worship, including two Roman Catholic churches, five synagogues and ten churches representing varied denominations.
The town’s recreation programs have served as models for other communities with a wide variety of municipal and private facilities ideally supporting an active lifestyle. The township has a total of 600 acres of parkland that is shared with the schools, all of which are built in the middle of the parks. The largest park is the 65-acre Memorial Park off Livingston Avenue in the center of town. It includes the high school, the municipal complex, one of the township’s two municipal pools, the state-of-the-art library, a football field, four baseball diamonds, two basketball courts, six tennis courts, a lacrosse/soccer field and a fishing pond. Livingston is also home to the private Cedar Hill Country Club, which has an 18-hole golf course, and the West Essex Y.M.C.A.
The abundance of excellent shopping facilities, including the Livingston Town Center, Livingston Mall and the nearby upscale Mall at Short Hills and countless New York branch stores, boutiques and art galleries also make the Livingston area a shopper’s haven.
Livingston Neighborhoods
Livingston has a wide variety of home styles ranging from condos and smaller single-family homes perfect for first time home buyers or those wishing to downsize up to expansive homes on large properties and luxury townhouses. From developments like the The Pointe and Carillon and customizable, upscale new construction houses to 3 bedroom 1940’s colonials and 2 bedroom condominiums…Livingston’s residential options run the gamut. There’s something for everyone in this diverse, ever changing and improving community!
Bel-Air and Bel-Air Woods is an affluent neighborhood located east of East Cedar and south of Route 10, offers expansive newer construction homes on acre plus properties. Gracious and convenient living is found in the beautiful, young development of multi-million dollar plus homes ($2,000,000 – $3,888,000)
Chestnut Hill is located just north of Short Hills, north of South Orange Avenue and west of Old Short Hills Road near Saint Barnabas, the Chestnut Hill section offers upscale homes in a private and quiet neighborhood. Spacious and open contemporary homes, expanded ranches, colonials and newer construction can all be found in this affluent neighborhood originally developed in the 1960’s. These high-end homes vary in price from $849,000-$2,900,000+.
Riker Hill has tons of new construction and upscale contemporary style homes mixed with 1960’s bi-levels and 1950’s colonials can all be found in the Riker Hill section. Located east of Eisenhower Parkway and south of Route 280, Riker Hill offers gracious living, generous sized properties and convenient proximity to Route 280 perfect for those commuters driving into Manhattan. Prices run the gamut, from $500,000-$1,500,000+.
Burnet Hill, located between South Orange and Northfield Avenues between Eisenhower Parkway and JFK Parkway. This area is located in the Burnett Hill Elementary School district and near Heritage Junior High School and the Livingston Mall. Home prices and styles vary by street. Colonials, capes, Tudors and bi-levels are available and can range from $450,000-$1,000,000. The convenience of this location and its proximity to Short Hills has also made this neighborhood desirable for new construction. High-end new construction in this neighborhood is priced over $2,500,000.
Mt. Pleasant, located near Mt. Pleasant Elementary School between East Cedar and East Hills Park, is also sometimes referred to as Broadlawn, offers many home styles including spacious split-levels on generous lots. Streets with sidewalks and lined with mature trees makes this quiet residential neighborhood a favorite of households with children. Prices vary from $500,000-$850,000.
Collins is named after the neighborhood’s elementary school, the Collins section is located north of East Northfield Avenue. Development in this area differs from 1940’s through the 60’s and this neighborhood offers colonials and bi-levels on level lots with mature trees. Home prices vary, typically ranging from the mid $550,000s up to $1,000,000+.
Hillside was developed in the 1940’s and 50’s. The Hillside section is named after the local elementary school and located between West Northfield and South Livingston Avenues in the neighborhood surrounding Livingston High School. Homes offered here are typically colonials and bi-levels on traditional lot sizes although you can find some newer construction replacing older homes. Convenient to schools and shopping makes this a desirable neighborhood for many people. Prices vary from $375,000-$1,500,000.
Harrison is located in the neighborhood surrounding Harrison Elementary School, east of North Livingston Avenue and south of Rt.280, the Harrison section offers colonials, capes and bi-levels. Home prices are typically between $369,000-$1,250,000.
Carillon is a luxury development offering detached single family and townhouse style residences. Located off of Livingston Avenue near Mt. Pleasant (Rt 10), The Carillon community offers a clubhouse with billiard room and exercise room and indoor and outdoor pools. Starting around $750,000.
The Pointe at Livingston, an active adult community in Essex County, caters to homebuyers’ age 55 and older seeking a luxurious, pampering lifestyle. Pricing is from $409,000.
The Fairways was built in 1999-2000. This condominium complex on nearly 50 acres of lushly landscaped property is conveniently located off of Rt. 10 and offers a clubhouse with billiard room, an outdoor pool and tennis courts. Prices vary from $550,000-$900,000.
The Regency Club, built between 2001-2004, is located aside Cedar Hill Country Club near Route 10 and offers a clubhouse with exercise room, a jogging/biking path, an outdoor pool, playground and tennis courts. Several styles and sizes are available, prices typically in the $475,000-$675,000 range.
Commuting
There are various commuting options for Livingston residents. The most popular are via Coach Bus from the Livingston Mall Park and Ride or from the South Mountain Arena Parking Lot, plus multiple other stops en route – into Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. Trip takes between 40-60 minutes. There is express service during rush hour.
In addition, Livingston provides a shuttle (The Livingston Primetime Shuttle) from the Livingston Mall to the South Orange train station during rush hour.
Another option is to take the NJ Transit Buses #70 and #73 (From Livingston Mall) to Newark Penn Station where you can board either NJ Transit Train or Path.
You can drive to Harrison Train Station, where you can park and ride (12 Miles). The station is less than a mile from Exit 16 on Route 280. There are 12 parking lots within walking distance of the Harrison Station, many of which offer reserved spaces. Or you can drive to Penn Station in Newark (13 Miles), where there is plenty of parking lots and you can purchase a monthly parking pass.
Education
More than anything, Livingston is town with a public school system known for its academic excellence. Serving over 4000 students, the school system is divided into six K-5 elementary schools; Burnet Hill, Collins, Harrison, Hillside, Mt. Pleasant, and Riker Hill. Sixth graders attend Mount Pleasant Middle School and Heritage Middle School is for grades 7 and 8. Ninth through twelfth grades are at the 1,800-student Livingston High School.
Cultural Activities
The Livingston Council for the Arts is a nonprofit arts coordinating group established by the Town Council to make the arts visible in Livingston and its surrounding areas. Its aim is to encourage quality offerings in performing and visual arts programs and to act as an informal clearing house for all of the artistic disciplines. Under the Livingston Council for the Arts are several organizations offering cultural activities throughout the town.
These organizations include:
- · Livingston Symphony Orchestra
- · Livingston Arts Association
- · New Jersey Ballet
- · New Jersey State Opera Guild West Essex Chapter
- · Riker Hill Art Park
- · Livingston Community Players
Livingston is also home to the Performers Theater Workshop, a performing arts training center for you people. Other cultural events are sponsored by Livingston High School and the various houses of worship located throughout the township.
Only 12 miles from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and 8 miles from the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival at Drew University in Madison, there is no shortage of things to do as a resident of Livingston.