Archive for the 'Living in Montclair' Category

Why do some housing markets stagnate during an economic boom while others maintain their value amid a national recession?  There isn’t really one all-encompassing answer, but there are several well-established factors that determine the strength of  a given housing market. For suburbs in the tri-state area, one of the most important factors is availability of mass transit.

Montclair real estate was not hit nearly as hard by the recession as many other towns; a major reason for this is the presence of both bus and train service to New York City. Decamp Bus Lines has provided commuter and charter service to NYC for decades, while New Jersey Transit has operated direct weekday service since 2002 (weekend service arrived in 2009). Bus riders can get on or off anywhere along Decamp’s established routes; train riders have seven stations to choose from and bus and train stops are walkable from most places in Montclair.

Near the center of town are the Bay Street and Walnut Street stations. Further north are the  Watchung Plaza and Upper Montclair stations. Commuters can also board at Mountain Avenue, Montclair Heights, or Montclair State University.  It’s unusual to have 7 train stations in in one town, but this is what makes makes Montclair NJ one of the most commutable suburbs of New York City.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Now that spring is here in earnest, you may find yourself  frequently uttering this phrase. There are many good reasons to go for a walk–to get some fresh air, burn some calories, enjoy the trees in bloom. And, depending on where you live, you can accomplish all of this while actually getting someplace you need to go.

In most of suburbia, walking is a recreational activity and driving is a functional one. In certain towns, though, feet are a  perfectly viable mode of transportation. I am fortunate enough to live in Montclair, New Jersey, where I can walk to the supermarket, the bank and the post office. My teenage sons ride their bikes to school and to their friends’ houses.

As gasoline prices continue to climb, I love that I have a free, non-polluting way to accomplish many of my daily tasks. I suspect that there are many folks who feel as I do. Maybe that’s why, despite a  sluggish economy and a generally weak housing market, Montclair real estate continues to be highly desirable. I’d love to show you around; let’s take a walk.

You’ll be happier living in Montclair than in  most other suburbs – A bold
statement, I know. It’s subjective, but there are in fact, a three key predictors
of happiness -  1. health 2. wealth and 3. social connectedness.  Because of its  street layout, design and diversity of housing  Montclair offers  opportunities to foster all three.  Here are some examples.

• Many parks and sports facilities where you can exercise and meet people.
• Places to walk and bike to.
• Streets with sidewalks so you can interact with other walkers.
• Mixed-use and diverse housing styles/prices – from thrifty to extravagant.
• Good public transportation so you don’t always need to take your car.
• Small, owner operated businesses – where they know you by name.
• Lots of cultural venues for music, art and entertainment
• A certain density of population so you don’t feel isolated

I’m sure there are some die hard cul-de-sac fans out there as well as few Office Max aficionados.  So for those of us whose suburban dream is a three car garage and good access to the mall, I propose that Montclair may not be a good fit.  There’s always Mt. Olive though.

A few weeks ago, The New York Times ran an Op-Ed piece called “The Death of the Fringe Suburb.” The author, Christopher Leinberger, discusses the collapse of outer-ring suburbs and return to popularity of urban and inner-suburban housing. As a New Jersey Realtor, I feel sadness and concern about the decline of any housing market. I find it fascinating, though, that this trend–occurring in markets all over the country– is a total reversal of the national post-WWII housing shift from cities to suburbs.

Back in the 1950s, cities emptied out as a car and a backyard came to exemplify the American dream.  In succeeding decades, McMansions took root in exurbs, as homeowners sought more and more house on more and more land. According to Leinberger, demand for this type of housing has collapsed and will not recover, due to generational shifts. Baby Boomers (born from 1946-64), are retiring at exactly the same time as Millenials (born from 1979-96) are ready to strike out on their own; neither group is looking for a large house in outer suburbia. Boomers are downsizing from their suburban homes, and Millenials tend to favor urban environments, both for the cultural attractions and the convenience of not needing a car.

Leinberger cites Pasadena, CA and Bellevue, WA as examples where mixed-use developments with good public transit access have been built where strip malls once stood. He also calls for greater public investment in bus and light-rail systems, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. His suggestions would provide jobs and help the environment, both of which the U.S. could really use.

For those of us living in Montclair, Maplewood or South Orange, we are fortunate to have much of this infrastructure already in place.  For those who are not, would you give up your 2 acres for a smaller lot and a shorter commute?  Would you trade your Olive Garden for Osteria Giotto? How about your Multiplex for the Wellmont Theatre?