What It's Really Like to Live in Springfield, NJ

Ask someone who grew up in Springfield, NJ and they'll probably tell you the same thing: it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. No downtown buzz competing with Westfield, no train-town identity like Cranford. Springfield is quieter than most of its Union County neighbors, and for a lot of residents, that's exactly the point.

Union County Life covers Springfield as part of its ongoing guide to life across Union County — and this town has more going on beneath the surface than first-timers expect.

Springfield Doesn't Feel Like One Town — It Feels Like a Few

Springfield has distinct sections that residents navigate by feel more than by official name. The area around Mountain Avenue and Morris Avenue closer to the commercial strip has a more connected, walkable energy — coffee, errands, kids walking home from school. Move east toward the Springfield/Millburn border or up toward the South Mountain Reservation, and the streets get quieter, the lots get bigger, and the whole pace slows down.

The Baltusrol area, anchored by the historic Baltusrol Golf Club on Shunpike Road, gives parts of Springfield a different character than you'd expect from a mid-size Union County suburb — more wooded, more private, more old-money adjacent without quite crossing into it.

Getting to New York City from Springfield

Springfield's commute story is honest: it's a bus-and-car town more than a train town. There's no NJ Transit rail station in Springfield itself. Most commuters drive to either the Summit or Millburn station on the Morris & Essex Line, or catch NJ Transit bus service on Route 70 into the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

From Summit or Millburn, you're looking at roughly 45–55 minutes to Midtown Penn Station depending on the time and the service. It's doable, but commuters who want a door-to-door rail experience often price that driving buffer into their decision.

The Schools Are What Move the Needle

Springfield Public Schools is a smaller district — one high school, one middle school, and several elementary schools — and families relocate here specifically for it. The district's size means kids aren't lost in a crowd, and parent involvement is high. Jonathan Dayton High School is the district's sole high school, and it carries a solid local reputation.

What to Eat and Where to Go

Springfield's dining is low-key and local. Morris Avenue has a handful of spots worth knowing — a mix of family-owned diners, pizza, and the occasional sit-down place that's been around long enough to feel like an institution. It's not a restaurant destination by any stretch, but residents aren't driving 20 minutes for dinner the way Summit-adjacent towns sometimes do.

Parks and the South Mountain Reservation

This is where Springfield genuinely pulls ahead of comparable towns. The South Mountain Reservation — a 2,100-acre Essex County park — borders Springfield to the north and gives residents access to miles of hiking trails, the Rahway River, dog-friendly paths, and genuine forest cover minutes from their front doors.

Briant Park on Springfield Avenue is the local workhorse — ballfields, playgrounds, and enough open space for a full afternoon.

Who Lives Here

Springfield draws a steady mix: families who want strong schools and more space than Summit prices allow, long-term residents who bought decades ago and have no reason to leave, and commuters who value a quieter street over a walkable train station. Home prices generally run from the mid-$400s for starter homes up to $900,000-plus for larger colonials and Tudors in the more established sections.

Quick Facts

• County: Union County, NJ

• Commute to NYC: 45–55 min via NJ Transit from Summit or Millburn stations (Morris & Essex Line); bus via Route 70 also available

• School District: Springfield Public Schools; Jonathan Dayton High School

• Notable Landmark: Baltusrol Golf Club; South Mountain Reservation

• Home Price Range: Roughly mid-$400s to $900K+

• Best For: Families, long-term residents, commuters who prefer space over walkability
  
  

FAQs

Does Springfield, NJ have its own train station? No. Springfield doesn't have a rail station. Most commuters drive to Summit or Millburn for NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Line service into Midtown Manhattan.

What are the schools like in Springfield, NJ? Springfield has its own public school district with one high school — Jonathan Dayton — along with a middle school and several elementary schools. The district is small by design and has a strong local reputation for family involvement.

What's the housing market like in Springfield, NJ? Springfield offers more space per dollar than neighboring Summit or Millburn. Single-family homes dominate the market, with prices generally ranging from the mid-$400s to over $900,000 depending on location, size, and condition.

Is Springfield, NJ good for outdoor access? Yes. The South Mountain Reservation borders the town and gives residents access to one of the largest county park systems in New Jersey — with trails, river access, and wooded terrain that's genuinely close to home.

Springfield won't win points for nightlife or a headline downtown. But for families who want good schools, more breathing room, and access to real green space — with a manageable commute to the city — it holds up. Most people who end up here didn't expect to love it as much as they do.

Explore Springfield businesses, events, and real estate on Union County Life.