Living in Mountainside, NJ: What It's Like When You Actually Move Here

Mountainside doesn't try to be Summit. It doesn't try to be Westfield. It's quieter, smaller, and almost deliberately low-key — and for the people who live here, that's exactly the point.

The borough has around 6,700 residents, making it one of the smallest municipalities in Union County. There's no downtown strip with a dozen restaurants, no train station within walking distance for most residents. What Mountainside has instead is space — real space — backed up against the Watchung Reservation, with wooded lots, winding roads, and houses that sit far enough back from the street that you can actually breathe.

Union County Life covers Mountainside as part of its ongoing look at where people in this county are actually choosing to put down roots.

What Makes Mountainside Feel Different

The Watchung Reservation is the backdrop of daily life here. Residents use it constantly — morning runs on the yellow trail, weekend hikes with the dog, an after-school walk that turns into an hour because the kids got distracted by a creek. The reservation's 2,000-plus acres border the western edge of town and it's not just scenery — it's part of why people stay.

The housing stock is largely mid-century single-family homes on larger-than-average lots, with newer construction scattered throughout. Prices generally run from the high $600s to well over $1.2 million depending on lot size, age of the home, and how close you are to the Westfield or Springfield borders. There's very little condo or townhome inventory — if you want a yard, you'll find one here.

Getting to New York City from Mountainside

Here's the honest answer: Mountainside is a car-first town for commuters. There's no NJ Transit rail station within the borough itself. Most residents drive to either the Westfield station (NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line) or the Springfield stop, then ride into Newark Penn Station and transfer to NJ Transit or PATH into Manhattan. Door-to-door, you're looking at roughly 60–75 minutes on a good day.

Some residents drive to Summit station instead for a faster direct ride on the Morris & Essex Line — about 45–50 minutes to Penn Station. It adds mileage to your morning, but trims time off the train ride.

If you're working in New Jersey — Newark, Edison, or the Route 22 corridor — the commute picture looks much better.

Schools and Who Lives Here

The Mountainside School District is the primary draw for families relocating here. The district runs K–8 in a single building, sending students to Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights for grades 9–12 as part of a regional arrangement. ⚑ Verify: Current sending-receiving district details and any recent redistricting.

The school quality reputation holds real weight in the market. Families with elementary-age kids specifically seek out Mountainside because of class sizes and test performance relative to neighboring towns.

The resident mix skews toward established families and long-term homeowners. You'll find fewer young renters and more households that have been on the same street for ten or fifteen years. That said, the housing price point has been attracting younger buyers priced out of Summit and Westfield.

Dining and Everyday Errands

Mountainside has a small commercial stretch along Route 22 and Mountain Avenue, but it's not a walkable dining destination. Residents typically head to Westfield, Springfield, or Summit for restaurants, grocery shopping, and most services. There are local spots — a diner, a pizza place, a nail salon — but "going out to eat" usually means leaving town. ⚑ Verify: Specific named restaurants for local sourcing before publication.

Parks and Outdoor Life

Beyond the Watchung Reservation, Mountainside maintains local parks including Surprise Lake, a small but well-used community spot that sees heavy summer traffic. The town also borders Echo Lake County Park on the Springfield side. If outdoor access matters to your household, Mountainside delivers more of it per square mile than most of its neighbors.

Quick Facts: Mountainside, NJ

• County: Union County, NJ

• Population: ~6,700

• Home prices: Roughly $650K–$1.2M+

• School district: Mountainside K–8; Governor Livingston HS (regional)

• Commute to NYC: 60–75 min via Westfield or Summit NJ Transit stations

• Closest reservations/parks: Watchung Reservation, Echo Lake County Park

• Town character: Small, residential, low-density, family-oriented
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mountainside have its own train station? No. Mountainside doesn't have a rail station within the borough. Most residents drive to Westfield, Springfield, or Summit to catch NJ Transit trains into Newark or Manhattan.

What are home prices like in Mountainside? Most single-family homes sell in the $650K–$1.2M range, with larger or newer properties going higher. The inventory is almost entirely single-family — condos and townhomes are rare here.

Is Mountainside good for families? It's consistently cited as one of the better spots in Union County for families with school-age children, largely due to its K–8 district reputation and lower-density lifestyle. The Watchung Reservation access is a genuine quality-of-life advantage.

How is Mountainside different from Westfield or Summit? It's smaller, quieter, and less walkable — no real downtown to speak of — but it offers more land per dollar and stronger access to open space. Think of it as the trade-off version: less convenience, more room to breathe.