Statistically speaking, Mountainside is a winning borough. It ranked #1 in Union County and #8 in the state on the 2010 "Best Places to Live in New Jersey" list produced by New Jersey Monthly magazine, and the Mountainside Community Pool was voted #3 Best Public Pool in the state by Inside NJ magazine.
This small borough, measuring about four square miles, shares its borders with upscale towns including Summit, Westfield, Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains and Springfield Township. The borough has a population of approximately 7,100 residents.
Mountainside's name was created in 1895, when local farmers decided to separate from Westfield for a "simpler life." In subsequent decades it remained a quiet, rural town. Much of the commercial and residential development seen in the borough today is the result of a post-World War II development boom.
Shops, service-oriented businesses and restaurants on Mountain Avenue and Route 22 make up most of Mountainside's retail offerings, although there are a multitude of large malls and chain stores within a few minute's drive. Recreational opportunities include a community swimming pool complex, boating on one of the two lakes at the 139-acre Echo Lake Park, sports courts and fields, and an active local recreation department. There are numerous recreation programs for residents of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Among the highlights are a family ice skating night in December, sports clinics, summer camps, adult sports leagues, theater trips, a summer music festival at Echo Lake Park's natural amphitheater, and a Senior fitness center.
The Mountainside School District serves public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The Beechwood School accommodates grades K-2 and Deerfield School is for grades 3-8. High school students attend the Governor Livingston High School in neighboring Berkeley Heights. Private and parochial schools for elementary and high school grades are found throughout the region.
Tree-lined streets and rolling hills define the topography of Mountainside Borough, where attractive neighborhoods are mainly comprised of well-kept single-family homes. Cape Cods, split levels, center hall Colonials, ranch styles, luxurious newer construction and character-filled older homes make up most of the available housing. Many residents are surprised to find that their property taxes are comparatively lower than those in the neighboring towns of Summit and Westfield, a factor that enhances the livability of this centrally-located borough.
New Jersey Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and business hubs of New Jersey. New York City-bound train service is available on New Jersey Transit's Midtown Direct line in Summit. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 10 miles away. A network of local and interstate highways in and around Mountainside includes Route 22, 78 and 28.
Union County maintains some of the area's most coveted parkland in Mountainside, including:
Watchung Reservation: A strikingly beautiful 2,000-acre wooded reservation with facilities for horseback riding, hiking and fishing. The reservation features an arboretum, athletic field, bridle trails, cross country ski course, model airplane flying, nature trails, picnic areas, playground, and the deserted village of Feltville.
The Watchung Riding Stable: This state-of-the-art facility is located on Summit Lane in Mountainside and features extensive programs for all ages.
Trailside Nature and Science Center and Planetarium: At the intersection of Coles Avenue and New Providence Road, this recently expanded facility offers indoor and outdoor programs and special events.
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