West Orange NJ
West Orange is a large town that was built around the Watchung Mountains, South Mountain Reservation, and Eagle Rock Reservation.  Various neighborhoods emerged at different points in the town’s history, including the estates of Llewellyn Park, one of the nation’s first planned communities. West Orange’s most illustrious resident, Thomas Edison, lived in Llewellyn Park, and his house is now preserved as a national historic site. West Orange also has a museum in Edison’s old factory and easy access to Turtle Back Zoo, ice skating, horseback riding and other recreational opportunities in South Mountain Reservation park.  While not on the midtown-direct train line, there is bus service to Port Authority, and local jitneys to pick up residents from a number of convenient spots and drop them off at the bus stop.  According to a New York Times article residents accept the trade-off of not being on the train line in exchange for “a lot more open space and an old-fashioned charm.”
As a large town of 12 square miles, West Orange offers many types of housing options, from gorgeous old colonials to postwar homes. There is also a large stock of condos and more opportunity for value than many neighboring communities, with greater access to New Jersey’s original natural beauty.
Schools
Public Schools
- West Orange Public School District
- NJ Department of Education Report Card for West Orange
- High school rankings in 2008, according to NJ Monthly survey
- Results of standardized tests, published in Star-Ledger/NJ.com
Private schools in or around West Orange, a sample:
- Seton Hall Preparatory School
- Blessed Pope John XXIII Academy
- Garden Academy (special needs)
- The Lakeside School (special needs)
- St. John School
- Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union
- Marylawn of the Oranges
- Farbrook School (Short Hills)
- Newark Academy (Livingston)
West Orange Preschools
- Playhouse Cooperative Nursery School
- The Children’s Corner
- First Mountain Preschool
- Suburban Hills Preschool and Kindergarten
- West Orange Community House Preschool and After-school care
- St. Peter’s Nursery School (Essex Fells)
Community
- Township of West Orange
- West Orange Public Library
- West Orange Online
- “Most Livable Metro-Area Suburbs,” Forbes.com, October 2007
- A Postcard History of West Orange
- “Harder to Get To, Easier to Pay For,” New York Times, December 2008
- West Orange Recycling Schedule
- Essex County Community Information
Neighborhoods
Press and Media
Parks and Gardens
- Essex County Parks (includes Eagle Rock Reservation and South Mountain Reservation)
- Parks and Recreation Facilities in WO
- Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park
- South Mountain Conservancy
- Turtle Back Zoo
Walking, Biking, Green Living
- West Orange Recycling Schedule
- West Orange Farmer’s Market
- South Mountain Reservation Hike (NY/NJ Trail Conference)
- The Watchung Mountains (Wikipedia)
- The Lenape Trail from Newark to Roseland
- West Orange Cycling Routes
- West Orange Running Routes
Recreation
- Township of West Orange Dept of Recreation
- Mountain Top Youth Sports League
- Ginny Duenkel Pool
- Richard Codey Arena at South Mountain
- Francis Byrne Golf Course (county-owned)
- Eagle Rock Lanes Bowling Alley
Arts and Entertainment
- West Orange Arts Council
- Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center
- NJ Jewish Film Festival
- Jewish Community Center MetroWest
- Battery Factory Theater at SOPAC
- Luna Stage (moving to West Orange in Fall 2009)
- Cecil’s Jazz Club
- West Orange Spring Street Fair
Favorite Local Businesses
- Downtown West Orange Alliance
- Whole Foods Market
- Jerry’s Artist Outlet
- Metropolitan Plant and Flower Exchange
- West Orange VIP card program
Favorite Restaurants and Food Shops
- The Supreme Bakery
- The Manor Restaurant
- Essex House Restaurant
- Pals Cabin
- Star Tavern and Pizzeria
- Star Tavern in the Munchmobile: Best Pizza, NJ.com, Sept 2008
- Highlawn Pavilion
- Julio’s Restaurant
- Due Amici Ristorante
Transit to NYC
- West Orange Commuter Information
- Community Coach Route 77
- West Orange Shuttle Service:
- Route 1 Jitney Schedule (pdf)
- Route 2 Jitney Schedule (pdf)
- Route 3 Jitney Schedule (pdf)
- Route 4 Jitney Schedule (pdf)