17 belvedere drive, Livingston Twp., NJ 07039

Real Estate in Livingston Township

Homebuyers are drawn to Livingston Township for a variety of compelling reasons: a central location about twenty miles from Manhattan, a wide range of housing options, a diverse population and exceptional public schools including the nationally-recognized Blue Ribbon high school. This lively community in western Essex County offers recreation for all ages, numerous parks, annual events and fine arts organizations. Measuring 14 square miles, Livingston has a good mix of local shops, restaurants and cultural venues, and is surrounded by even more options in neighboring Summit, Chatham or Montclair. Livingston's excellent quality of life is due in many respects to its highly-engaged residents who serve on over forty volunteer boards and committees.

Residential real estate in Livingston includes a fast-growing market of new and existing homes as well as luxury townhomes and condominium complexes, grand single-family homes on expansive lots and established neighborhoods that sprung up after World War II, comprised of welcoming colonials, capes, ranches, split level and bi-levels. In October 2020, the starting price of homes for sale in Livingston was approximately $475,000, while the average price of homes sold in Livingston was $499,000.

Fun Fact

Livingston is famous for many of its equally famous residents past and present, including comedian Chelsea Handler, actor Jason Alexander, best-selling author Harlan Coben, and former New Jersey Governors Brendan Byrne, Thomas Kean and Chris Christie.

History

Incorporated as a township in 1813, Livingston was named for William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey. During and after the Civil War, dairy farming and shoemaking were major industries, followed by logging camps and apple orchards in later decades. After the 1920s when cars became more available, Livingston transformed from a rural community into a suburb of Newark. This growth period established Livingston's volunteer Fire Department in 1922, first regular police chief in 1929 and a planning commission in 1930. Other developments included hospitals, a library, public and private schools and a municipal building. In 1939, the WPA Writers' Program published "Livingston: The Story of a Community." It was revised by the Livingston Bicentennial Historical Committee in 2013 and presents a fascinating snapshot of the township's history.

Livingston's Revolutionary-era history comes to life at the Old Force Homestead dating back to the mid-1700s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it includes the Ward-Force House and Condit Family Cook House. Ward-Force House was built as early as 1745 by Theophilus Ward and was later purchased by Samuel Force for his son Thomas. During the Revolutionary War, Thomas Force was a patriot who was captured by the British. Thomas returned to live with his wifeTwo buildings registered as New Jersey State Historic Sites are Dickinson House which President Theodore Roosevelt once visited for a hunting trip, and the circa 1800 Washington Place Schoolhouse. and children after the war and expanded the house. It was sold to the township in 1962. Condit Family Cook House was a stand-alone summer kitchen for a farmhouse once located near the Livingston Mall. When the mall was built during the 1970s, it was donated to the township and moved behind the Ward-Force House.

Community Life

With a population of about 30,000 residents, the township focuses on bringing all ages and interests together at annual events. Youth Appreciation Week includes inter-generational activities such as multi-cultural celebrations, a Lego workshop for families, a town-wide campout, outdoor movie and more. The Memorial Day Parade, SummerFest Food Truck Festival, Fourth of July Celebration featuring the state's largest Auto Show and fireworks, summer concerts and Senior Pool Party are among the warm weather gatherings.

The township's Senior Youth Leisure Services program oversees two community pools, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, youth and adult athletics, plus programs and activities for seniors.

Lively arts are well-represented by members of the Livingston Symphony Orchestra, Livingston Community Players, Children's Theatre of Livingston and New Jersey Ballet. Local artists are supported by the Livingston Arts Association founded in 1959 to promote art in the community. The Arts Association also includes the Arts Council of Livingston, the West Essex chapter of the New Jersey State Opera Guild and the Livingston Camera Club.

Education

Livingston's highly-rated public school system has become highly competitive over the years, drawing comparisons to the neighboring school district in Millburn. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools and a Blue Ribbon-designated high school. During the 2017-18 school year, the district enrolled 6,050 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 12:1.

Burnet Hill Elementary School serves students in pre-kindergarten to grade five, while Collins Elementary School, Harrison Elementary School, Hillside Elementary School, Mount Pleasant Elementary School and Riker Hill Elementary School have classrooms for kindergarten through grade five. Mount Pleasant Middle School brings elementary students together for sixth grade, who then move onto Heritage Middle School for grades seven and eight. About 1,900 students attend Livingston High School.

For the 1997-98 school year, Livingston High School received the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award from the United States Department of Education, one of the highest honors that an American school can achieve. It consistently ranks among the best New Jersey high schools in leading publications. All students pursue an appropriate academic program encouraging active involvement in learning. The academic program is augmented by a wide range of elective courses and an alternative high school program to help guarantee the success of all students. Approximately 97% of the Class of 2019 attended a post‐secondary institution.

Private schools in Livingston are Aquinas Academy for preschool to grade eight, a coeducational Roman Catholic school; Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, a private coeducational Jewish day school for preschool through eighth grade; and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. The Tzedek School is a non-sectarian co-educational school of Jewish heritage and Hebrew language for kindergarten through grade 12 serving Livingston and surrounding communities. Newark Academy, a coeducational day school founded in 1774, has a middle school for grades six through eight and a high school for upper grades.

Livingston Chinese School and Livingston Huaxia Chinese School are two weekend Chinese-language schools in Livingston which use facilities of Heritage Middle School and Mount Pleasant Elementary School.

Transportation

Commuters traveling to New York City often take Midtown Direct trains from South Orange, about 15 minutes away via the Livingston Express Shuttle service running between the Livingston Mall and the train station. Community Coach offers bus service from three Livingston locations to Port Authority in midtown Manhattan, a trip of about an hour.

Route 10 runs through Livingston, and Route 280 edges its northern border for easy access to Interstates 78, 80, the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway. These major roadways lead to regional business campuses and corporate headquarters in the area. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 18 miles southeast of Livingston.

Local Attractions

Riker Hill Complex (sometimes called Riker Hill Art Park) is a 204-acre park located along the border of Roseland. It includes Riker Hill Art Park (a former Nike Missile control area site), Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park (a National Natural Landmark), and Becker Park. The Riker Hill Art Park located on top of the hill is home to multi-disciplinary art and craft studios. Over 40 working artists specializing in pottery, fine arts, painting, jewelry, fine metalwork, glass, fine arts, sculpture and photography are located in studios here, many offering art classes to adults and children.

The Livingston Mall has given area residents countless opportunities for retail therapy since 1972 with choices like Barnes & Noble, Macy's, H & M, Coach, Baby Gap, Loft Outlet and Steve Madden as well as a food court.

Green Spaces are found throughout the township, with over 470 acres of parks and hiking trails falling within its boundaries. Livingston has an active open space trust fund that continues to acquire more lands for preservation and recreation.

Meyer's Dolls Toys Hobbies has been in business for over 100 years as a favorite of local children and their parents. From train tables and puzzles to dolls and hand puppets, the store is a popular mainstay that also hosts birthday parties.