A local’s guide from Perri K. Feldman, a lifelong Midtown Direct local and Realtor who has closed transactions in 24 New Jersey communities. Last updated October 2026.
Montclair is the corridor’s urban-suburban hybrid: a strong arts and culture scene, several lively downtown districts, and a magnet school system with an arts focus. It’s on a different train line than most Midtown Direct towns, with six stations of its own, so the commute depends a lot on which part of town you choose.
Still deciding between towns? Start with my guide to the best NJ towns for NYC commuters, the same conversation I have with every new buyer.
Montclair at a glance
| Commute to NYC | NJ Transit’s Montclair-Boonton Line has six stations in town: Bay Street, Walnut Street, Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, Mountain Avenue and Montclair Heights. Some trains run to New York Penn Station, typically 47–57 minutes; others go to Hoboken. NJ Transit bus 191 runs to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. |
|---|---|
| Schools | Montclair Public Schools, a magnet system with an arts focus. Niche 2027: A, #26 district in New Jersey. Montclair High School is #90 in New Jersey (U.S. News). |
| Typical price range | About $900K to $2.5M |
| Market snapshot | Montclair, 2026 year to date (GSMLS): average sale price $1,472,586, 22 days on market, homes selling at 121% of list price. |
| Known for | Arts and culture, magnet schools, lively downtowns, an urban-suburban mix |
Neighborhoods
Montclair’s neighborhoods range from busy downtown blocks to quiet, leafy streets of grand historic homes, and each has its own personality:
- Upper Montclair: a prestigious, tree-lined part of town with its own village shopping district and train station, and home to the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
- Montclair Center: the cultural and commercial heart of town, with restaurants, boutiques and the Wellmont Theater, plus condos, lofts and residential streets close to the train.
- Watchung Plaza: a peaceful pocket around a historic early-1900s shopping plaza, with classic single-family homes and close to the Watchung Avenue station.
- The Estate Section: Montclair’s grandest historic homes on its largest lots, quiet and private yet close to everything in town.
- The South End: an energetic area near Bay Street station, with a growing dining and arts scene and a mix of older and newer homes.
- Fourth Ward, Frog Hollow and Montclair Heights: community-minded neighborhoods at more attainable price points, and a great way into Montclair.
Schools
How Montclair Public Schools stacks up in the latest rankings:
- Niche 2027: A overall, #26 of 244 school districts in New Jersey and #5 of 17 in Essex County. See the Niche rankings
- Montclair High School: #90 in New Jersey in U.S. News 2026–2027 Best High Schools, with a 94% graduation rate and a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. See the U.S. News profile
- Hillside Elementary School (grades 3–5): #173 of 1,386 elementary schools in New Jersey in U.S. News 2027 Best Elementary Schools. See U.S. News
Montclair runs a magnet school system, where elementary schools have different themes and placement isn’t based only on address. It’s a different model from the neighborhood districts in most corridor towns, and worth understanding before you buy. I can explain how it works.
Arts, movies & events
Montclair’s culture scene is a big part of why buyers choose it. A few places to start:
- Montclair Film & The Clairidge: Montclair Film reopened the historic Clairidge cinema in Montclair Center in 2021 and screens films year-round, along with its annual film festival.
- Montclair Art Museum: on South Mountain Avenue, with exhibitions, classes and events.
- The Wellmont Theater: a historic downtown venue for concerts and shows.
- Montclair Jazz Festival: free summer Soundcheck concerts and the Downtown Jamboree each August.
- Montclair Center events: the downtown business district’s calendar of festivals, sidewalk sales and community events.
My favorite Montclair restaurants are Faubourg, MM by Morimoto and pastaRAMEN. And be on the lookout for Acoustic Taco, coming soon to Montclair. And you haven’t lived until you go to Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa for an experience to remember.
How Montclair compares
Buyers drawn to Montclair’s arts scene usually also look at Maplewood and South Orange, which have Midtown Direct service on the Morristown Line. Neighboring Glen Ridge, one of New Jersey’s smallest districts, is another common comparison, and West Orange offers a wider range of price points nearby.
Montclair FAQ
How long is the commute from Montclair to New York City?
NJ Transit’s Montclair-Boonton Line has six stations in town: Bay Street, Walnut Street, Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, Mountain Avenue and Montclair Heights. Some trains run to New York Penn Station, typically 47–57 minutes; others go to Hoboken. NJ Transit bus 191 runs to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
How much do homes cost in Montclair?
Typical prices: about $900K to $2.5M. Montclair, 2026 year to date (GSMLS): average sale price $1,472,586, 22 days on market, homes selling at 121% of list price.
How are the schools in Montclair?
Montclair Public Schools, a magnet system with an arts focus. Niche 2027: A, #26 district in New Jersey. Montclair High School is #90 in New Jersey (U.S. News).
What stands out about Montclair?
Arts and culture, magnet schools, lively downtowns, an urban-suburban mix.
Who can help me buy or sell a home in Montclair?
Perri K. Feldman, a lifelong local Realtor with Keller Williams Premier Properties, has offices in Short Hills and Summit and has closed transactions in 24 New Jersey communities. Call 973-650-4727 or email perri@midtowndirecthomes.com.
Local resources
Town, schools & library
- Township of Montclair
- Montclair recreation & cultural affairs
- Montclair Public Schools
- Montclair Public Library
Culture & things to do
See what’s for sale
Not sure Montclair is the one? Let’s talk.
Coffee, Zoom or a phone call. We’ll talk about your work, your commute and your priorities, and I’ll tell you honestly how Montclair compares with the other towns on your list.
(973) 650-4727 · perri@midtowndirecthomes.com · Schedule a Consultation
Keep exploring
- Best NJ Towns for NYC Commuters: my guide to choosing your town
- Maplewood guide
- South Orange guide
- West Orange guide
- Free NJ Home Buyer’s Guide
- Thinking of selling? See how I market homes
Perri K. Feldman is a licensed real estate Sales Associate with Keller Williams Realty in Short Hills and Summit, New Jersey. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Sources: Niche, Montclair HS; Wikipedia, Montclair. Market data: Garden State MLS (GSMLS). Figures change monthly; call for the latest.
