Less than 25 miles from New York City, Westfield is an upscale enclave of North Jersey where mature trees line quiet, residential streets and provide shade to an eclectic mix of historic and modern estates. “Westfield is really desirable. It’s the place where everyone wants to be,” says Andrea Lacerda, team leader of the Lacerda Team with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors. While this leafy suburb has become known as a bedroom community for commuters, it offers much more than just a place to sleep. “I’ve been in Westfield for about 15 years, and I moved there because I was working in Manhattan at the time and wanted an easy commute into the city,” says Steph Mahon, founder of the Dwell New Jersey Group with Compass. “I also wanted a house where I could walk downtown, and that vibrant downtown is for sure what sets Westfield apart.” Downtown Westfield offers a traditional Main Street community where residents gather for shopping, dining and community events.
The town is also known for its top-rated schools, and Niche ranks the Westfield Public School District as the third-best school district in Union County. “The school district is huge. Because people love their school district and the street that they’re on, we’re seeing a lot of homeowners renovate and expand their current houses rather than move out of Westfield,” Mahon says. Home to more than 30,000 people, Westfield’s population is expected to continue growing alongside the rest of Union County and is projected to reach over 35,000 by 2050.
A typical residential street with a split-level home in Westfield, NJ.
Westfield's downtown area bursts with vibrant colors and energy, making it an irresistible destination.
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Downtown Westfield is a designated Main Street Community
Downtown Westfield is home to more than 450 shops, restaurants and local businesses. The city is designated as a Main Street Community, and red-brick storefronts feature everything from brand-name stores and locally owned boutiques to casual cafés and upscale eateries. In addition to shopping and dining, downtown is a destination for annual events like the Sidewalk Sale, Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival and Girls' Night Out. Downtown also hosts a vibrant street fair twice a year at Westfield’s FestiFall and Spring Fling. “Those are two great events where vendors take over downtown. Elm Street is unofficially known as our restaurant row, and you’ll see people out on the sidewalks eating and enjoying live music,” Mahon says.
The arts scene in downtown Westfield consists of small art galleries and local groups such as the New Jersey Festival Orchestra. The Westfield Community Players have been performing since 1934 and put on a comedy, a musical, a thriller and a comedy-drama each season.
East Broad Street stands as the vibrant heart of downtown Westfield, serving as the primary thoroughfare that brings the community together.
The famous Millburn Deli has an outpost in Westfield that is extremely well regarded by locals.
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Competitive housing market with prices over twice the national median
Outside of its walkable downtown, Westfield is primarily residential and features a variety of architectural styles. “There are a lot of new construction homes being built and scooped up quickly, but there are also some incredible historic estates,” Mahon says. “We’re lucky to have such beautiful Victorians built in the late 1800s and early 1900s that have been preserved.” The median price of single-family homes is $1.25 million, more than double the national median of about $420,000. “The most competitive price point in town is between 1 and 1.5 million,” Mahon says. “Homes within that price point are moving very quickly and selling for $100,000 to $150,000 over asking price.” Properties tend to sell after less than a month on the market, and Mahon adds that the town hasn’t had more than a month’s supply of inventory since 2021.
It's believed that this Westfield home was the inspiration for The Addams Family's house.
Explore the unique charm of historic homes available in Westfield, NJ, and uncover the rich architectural heritage that awaits you!
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NJ Transit train service at Westfield Station and NYC commutes
Westfield’s overall Walk Score is 67 out of 100, and in 2019, the town adopted the Westfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan as part of the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program. Westfield Station is part of the NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line, which provides train service to Newark’s Penn Station and extended service to NYC’s Penn Station during midday and evening hours. NJ Transit also offers bus service into the city. For those who prefer to travel by car, NYC is less than a 25-mile drive away. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 12 miles from town and offers direct flights to 187 destinations in 61 countries.
National Blue Ribbon School in the Westfield Public School District
The Westfield Public School District earns an overall grade of A-plus from Niche. It consists of an early childhood learning center, six elementary schools, two intermediate schools and a high school, all of which receive an A-minus or higher from Niche. Standouts include Washington Elementary School, which was named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School for its educational excellence and commitment to closing achievement gaps between students. Those looking for private school options can send their kids to the Holy Trinity School, a Catholic institution serving prekindergarten through eighth grade with an A from Niche. Westfield is also less than 3 miles from the Cranford campus of Union College of Union County, NJ.
Westfield's Roosevelt Intermediate School is centrally located and undergoing renovation
The Lincoln School serves preschoolers and prepares them for formal education, located in Westfield, NJ
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Tamaques Park, Memorial Pool and nearby private country clubs
According to the Trust for Public Land, 43% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The 106-acre Tamaques Park stands out as the city’s largest green space. It features several playgrounds, various athletic facilities and a paved walking path. Westfield experiences all four seasons, and there are opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round. The Westfield Memorial Pool and Aquatic Complex is a popular spot to cool off during the city’s humid summers, while The Westfield Rink at Gumbert Park is a staple during its snowy winters. The Westfield Memorial Library offers educational and recreational programs for all ages. Residents can also join one of the private country clubs in the area, including Echo Lake Country Club and Shackamaxon Country Club. Westfield is currently working on replacing the playground in Memorial Park with one that is fully ADA-compliant, and construction is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Tamaques Park offers a great location for walking, jogging, and other activities.
Sycamore Field in Westfield, NJ is a 1.5 acre park on Sycamore Street featuring a soccer/all purpose playing field and fire-themed playground
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Westfield hosts annual festivities and neighborhood block parties
While best known as a hub for commuters, Westfield Station also serves as a venue for community events. Residents gather in the train station’s parking lot for the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting, menorah lighting and Tour de Westfield bike parade. Residents also get together for smaller celebrations within their neighborhoods. “We’re known for our block parties as well,” Mahon says. “There’s a really great sense of community in Westfield.” Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts the annual NJ GreekFest, which brings more than 150,000 people to Westfield each fall for a weekend full of cultural festivities.
Westfield Street Fair & Crafts invites all attendees including your pooches.
There is a great sense of pride at Westfield Street Fair & Crafts Show.
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Crime rates consistently remain below national figures
Westfield’s overall CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer further shows that the city’s violent and property-related crime rates consistently remain well below national figures.
Nancy is the team lead of Nancy Chu Homes at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group (Essex County’s #1 brokerage office) and has been a real estate professional since 2005. A consistent top producer in Northern NJ, she is skillful in a wide range of deal-making - from 1-bedroom condominiums to luxury homes to investment properties. While based in Essex County, she is intrepid by nature and has developed a regionally based business by selling in Essex, Bergen, Union, Morris, and Passaic Counties and beyond…in Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset, too. “My primary goal is to explore the towns of Northern NJ, and to hone my expertise in all these areas. I think that real estate, like the rest of the world, is becoming more global, and so I feel that I must expand my approach both my worldview and my areas of business. My job is to listen closely to my client’s need, and because I have a wide knowledge base of the area, I have a better chance of helping them find the neighborhood they want to be in faster. There is nothing more satisfying than putting a family in the perfect home.” Nancy, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, cultivated a love for real estate when she helped her parents find their perfect home in Tennessee at age 16, and has not been able to stop following the real estate market since, owning a number of co-ops and condos in New York City, seven homes in Essex County as a serial renovator, leading to her present home in Livingston, and recently building a vacation getaway in Lavallette NJ.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
