Bloomfield

Bloomfield - just to the east of Montclair - has been gaining in popularity, largely due to the 30-minute direct train line to Penn Station. It is home to about 45,000 residents and is somewhat more urban than Montclair or Glen Ridge with homes a little closer together. Bloomfield does come with a lower price tag and taxes than its neighbors. Prices in Bloomfield have dropped in the downturn, creating opportunities for buyers - a fact that has been reflected in the steady rate of sales. According to a New York Times article, Bloomfield “has long been known as a working-class town where families stay for generations. Although it has become more diverse, it remains charming in an old-fashioned kind of way.”

Bloomfield (which once also included the areas of Montclair and Glen Ridge) seceded from Newark in 1812, and over the course of the 19th century, it became the borough it is today. As a result of its long history, it offers many beautiful old houses and buildings, as well as post war construction. A recently approved plan is underway to bring new residential development to the business district around Bloomfield Avenue, with the goal of creating a more mixed-use and thriving downtown. For those more interested in the quiet suburban life, there are plenty of picture-perfect suburban streets and good neighborhood schools. The town is seated at the edge of the wonderful 121-acre Brookdale Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and home to playgrounds, fields, walking paths, and several summer concerts, including appearances by the New York Metropolitan Opera and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and very popular fireworks on the Fourth of July.

source: https://www.walkablesuburb.com/towns/bloomfield-nj/