Living in Mountainside, NJ

In September 2019, Mountainside was ranked an impressive #9 on the list of Best Places to Live by New Jersey Monthly. It’s no surprise that this picturesque town would be ranked so highly. While many nearby towns tend to blend together, Mountainside has a feel all its own. Outdoor lovers are drawn to the distinctively woodsy feel of Mountainside, where a third of the borough is comprised of public parkland. Those living in Mountainside, NJ also enjoy more elbow room than those residing in surrounding towns. Its 6,700 residents are spread across Mountainside’s 4 square miles.

Watchung Reservation, the largest nature preserve in Union County, is partially located in Mountainside. So is Trailside Nature and Science Center, which offers a slew of indoor exhibits. Outdoors exhibits include live animals, educational classes, hikes, bird watching and campfires. Additionally, Mountainside is home to beautiful Echo Lake Park, with its winding bike trails and a well-stocked fishing pond. It is also home to a dog park, paddle boats, outdoor concerts, and the famous Pumpkin Sail.

Perfect for outdoor lovers… and commuters!

Don’t let its rural setting fool you. Mountainside is a very convenient town to live in for commuters. The town is within close proximity to Route 22 and a NJ Transit bus stop that takes passengers to and from Manhattan. Those raising children in town can take advantage of full-day public kindergarten. High school students attend the highly ranked Governor-Livingston High School located in nearby Berkeley Heights.