Summit’s close proximity to New York City is a big draw for those who work in Manhattan or appreciate the ability to go into the city for special events, shopping and dining. Summit rail and bus links to Newark and Manhattan, quick access to Routes 24 and 78 and the Garden State Parkway and just miles from the Newark-Liberty International Airport, commuters find this thriving community a perfect place to settle. The Summit Train Station has the Midtown Direct train, less than a 30-minute ride from Summit to Penn Station. The City of Summit has numerous parking garages and lots supplying ample parking for resident commuters and downtown employees.
Although Summit is a suburb, there’s no lack of culture, restaurants and arts. Dine at one of Summit’s upscale restaurants, have breakfast at the Summit Diner, shop at one of the unique boutiques or take a class at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, YMCA or Connection for Women and Families…there’s always something to do in Summit.
Summit offers the beauty and quiet of the suburbs with the convenience and neighborhood feel of a small city all within an easy commute to New York City.
Summit Neighborhoods
Summit offers diverse housing from one-bedroom condos to multi-million dollar estates. Colonial styled homes, condominiums and apartment buildings are the norm in this historical town and housing prices run the gamut. Although an affluent town, Summit does offer options for the first time home buyer in more modest price ranges.
Summit is divided into 5 elementary school districts under which the sections of town are often referred, such as Lincoln-Hubbard or Brayton. Summit’s neighborhoods are also named in relationship to when they were developed, like the historical Northside and the relatively more recent development in Canoe Brook.
The Brayton School district is located around Memorial Field off Ashland Road near Summit Junior High. This section offers housing that truly runs the gamut from entry level homes on the streets near Overlook Hospital to multi-million dollar mini-estates on Oak Ridge Avenue. Many streets in the Brayton section are within walking distance to downtown Summit and NYC trains. Home prices range from $450,000-2,800,000.
The Franklin School section covers the areas of Summit east of Division and Passaic Avenues, south of the train tracks just north of Springfield Avenue to south of Ashland Road. Quiet, winding roads, stately homes with mature trees and manicured lawns will be found here. Some of the neighborhoods within this section include Woodland Park, east of Division between Springfield and Ashland, and Highlands located south of Ashland backing up to the Watchung Reservation. While most of the homes throughout the Franklin district are colonials, several styles of ranches can also be found. Home prices in these upscale neighborhoods range from $600,000-$5,000,000.
The Jefferson section is located east of Glenside Avenue, along Morris Avenue around the neighborhood of Briant Park. The Jefferson district offers more moderately priced homes, with prices typically ranging from $350,000-$600,000. A trend of replacing older homes with new construction colonials is beginning to slowly transform some blocks. These homes sell in the range of $700,000-$900,000.
The Lincoln-Hubbard section, also referred to as Northside, is one of Summit’s most prestigious neighborhoods because of its stately homes and proximity to town and NYC trains. Large homes on oversized lots are the hallmark in this affluent neighborhood where some houses even offer views of Manhattan. Northside is located east of Morris Avenue, across Summit and Hobart Avenues to west of Broad street. Prices in this neighborhood are high, regularly priced over $2,000,000.
The Washington School District surrounds the neighborhood of the Summit High School on Kent Place Blvd. Housing styles and prices vary, from the more moderately priced homes in the Canoe Brook section and streets across from the Washington School west of Morris Avenue to the more expensive homes on Kent Place Blvd. and Bedford Road. Several condominiums are located in this section, as well, like Morris Glen and Kent Gardens with prices in the $300,000. Single family home prices range from $500,000-$2,000,000.
Butler Parkway/Canoe Brook Section of Washington section lies northeast of Morris Avenue, surrounding Tatlock Field and southwest of Canoe Brook Country Club. Homes in this section are more moderately priced for this market but as home owners and builders add additions or tear down older homes for larger ones, prices are steadily rising. Residents of this neighborhood enjoy broad tree-lined streets, nice sized properties and quiet living. Homes are priced $500,000-$850,000.
Summit Parmley is located on Summit Avenue just a block from downtown, this elegant pre-war co-op building built in the 1920’s offers various sized units. Perfect for first time home buyers looking for an easy commute into Manhattan or someone looking to downsize without leaving town. Prices range from $250,000-$400,000.
Morris Glen is located on Morris Avenue, these moderately priced condominium units are available in single floor and townhouse style. Just blocks from town and NYC trains these units are a great option for the first time home buyer or those looking to downsize. Two-bedroom, one floor priced around $340,000.
Kent Gardens is similar to Morris Glen, these post war condominiums are a great option for first time home buyers or those looking to down size. These townhouse units are just blocks from town and NYC trains and range in price from $325,000-$400,000.
Beacon Square luxury, million dollar townhomes were built in the 1980’s and are located across from the Grand Summit Hotel near downtown Summit and NYC trains. These beautiful brick townhomes feature top of the line appliances and designer touches throughout. Prices starting around $1,000,000.
The Cloisters were built in 2003…these high-end townhomes located on Norwood Avenue near downtown and NYC trains in the Northside of Summit are loaded with top-of-the-line appliances and attention to detail throughout. Prices starting around $1,400,000.
Commuting
Commuting to New York City from Summit, New Jersey could not be easier! There are many parking lots to chose from, plenty of spaces and express trains getting you into Penn Station within 40 minutes. Residents and Non-Residents take advantage of commuting from here. Both of Morris & Essex line’s (Gladstone Branch and Morris Lines) come through Summit so you have twice as many trains to chose from…making Summit even more desirable to commuters.
Education
Summit Public Schools are consistently rated superior, not only academically but also for their music, art, cultural programs and athletics. Excellence thrives, as reflected by the high standardized test scores at every grade level, students honored by the National Merit Scholarship Program and other state or national competitions, and the number of seniors accepted annually at highly competitive colleges.
Summit High School is always ranked one of the best high schools in the State of New Jersey. Summit’s public education system includes five kindergarten-through grade 5 elementary schools: Brayton, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln Hubbard and Washington. The two Primary Schools, Wilson and Jefferson, are open for pre-school and Summit’s kindergarten students. Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School is for grades 6 to 8 and Summit High School. The newly renovated Summit High School comprised of a new wing, library/media center, gymnasium, and the addition of academic courses, cultural arts, athletic and social club programs; all providing an enriched educational experience for all current and future Summit students.
Cultural Activities
Summit offers an array of programs, facilities, and events to capture and educate the community in arts, recreation, cultural and spiritual guidance.
The Summit Boards of Recreation and Education, the Summit YMCA and many other non-profit organizations enable residents of all ages the ability to participate in leisure and health-related programs. Summit has numerous playing fields to include baseball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, running track and a 9-par Golf Course and a Municipal Pool.
Artistic and cultural traditions are strong in Summit, with its roots in the visual arts dating back to Whorthington Whittredge, a painter of the Hudson River School who lived in Summit from 1880 – 1910. The New Jersey Center for the Visual Arts is a commitment to the arts offering cultural activities, ranging from art exhibits and jazz concerts to courses for budding artists. The Summit Free Public Library offers an adverse array of cultural readings, movies, special events and free internet access for all ages.
For nature lovers, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a great place to visit with formal gardens and woodlands on its 12.5 acres site and is a New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Nature classes and seasonal events are available for both children and adults.
Summit’s location also allows easy access to arts and cultural events in the area including theater at Millburn’s Papermill Playhouse and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival at Drew University in Madison. Cultural activities can also be found at the nearby New Jersey Center for Performing Arts in Newark and museums in Morristown and Montclair.