Every month, The Hoboken Lady and The Giordano Group spotlight one city in Northern New Jersey to share a number of the greatest locations to eat, drink and socialize. We’ll define the completely different commuting choices and enjoyable, family-friendly actions whereas offering you with the mandatory details and significant perception into the aggressive and sizzling Northern NJ actual property market. This New Jersey actual property sequence will showcase what makes every city cool, distinctive, and vibrant. So whilst you will not be seeking to transfer, everyone knows stalking Zillow homes is the most effective passion — and The Giordano Group is right here to make it that a lot simpler.

After visiting Ridgewood and Chatham, we’re heading to Union County and the bustling city of Westfield. Famous for its stunning pedestrian-friendly downtown space, prestigious faculty system, and handy commutes to New York Metropolis and Newark, Westfield serves residents an preferrred mix of Americana. The Victorian and Colonial-style houses complement the tree-lined streets of this small group. There are additionally numerous issues to do for kids and adults alike. Learn on to your information to Westfield, NJ.

Concerning the Giordano Group

Darren Giordano and his staff of realtors have over a decade of expertise in Hudson County and Northern New Jersey, reaching the Platinum Stage of Excellence yearly since 2016. They closed over $300,000,000 during the last decade.  

To study extra in regards to the market worth for houses in Westfield — or if you wish to discover out the present market worth of your own home in Hudson County, textual content CMA to 201-723-3300 to get in contact with the Giordano Group or click on right here.

The Commute

By Practice

Westfield is situated on the Raritan Valley commuter rail line, which travels on to Newark after which to New York’s Penn Station. Though there’s a switch in Newark, commuting time to each Hoboken and/or NYC is about an hour or much less. There are additionally sometimes one-seat rides obtainable on off-peak hours which don’t have a switch in Newark.

If you can be taking the practice from Westfield, annual and semi-annual parking passes can be found for the Southside Practice Station and at Watterson Road. Day passes can be found on the Southside Station, and parking is free after 10AM (when obtainable).

By Bus

Each the #59 and the #113 NJ Transit buses provide service from Dunellen by Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Westfield, Garwood, Cranford, Roselle Park, and Hillside. The #59 will take you to Newark and features a cease at Union County Faculty. The #113 will take you on to Port Authority. Boxcar Transit additionally has a direct-bus service to NYC on the Raritan Rocket route.

By Automotive

Solely 25 miles from New York Metropolis, Westfield permits for simple commuting by automotive. Main roadways reminiscent of routes I-78, 22, and I-287 in addition to The Backyard State Parkway and The New Jersey Turnpike are all accessible.

The place to Eat + Drink

Outside cafes, various eateries, bistros, espresso outlets, bakeries, and quite a few ice cream outlets line the city middle’s colourful streets, that includes all the things from informal diners to upscale high quality eating, all inside a 10-block radius.

Ferraro’s

16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro | 16 Prospect Road

This native bar has a chill ambiance and infrequently has reside music. The Bloody Mary Oysters mix the salty ocean style with the acidity of a frozen Bloody Mary combine for a singular mixture. It additionally options outside seating for the hotter summer time nights.

1958 Cuban Delicacies | 301 South Avenue W

This family-owned BYOB eatery has Cuban artwork lining the partitions. It fuses each fashionable and conventional Cuban meals for scrumptious dishes.

Addams Tavern | 115 Elm Road

Named after former Westfield resident and the Addams Household creator, Charles Addams, this spot makes a speciality of conventional American delicacies and is a widely known native spot. It’s additionally one of many few locations on the town with a full-service bar. We advocate the filet mignon or the Addams mac and cheese — and the seasonal cocktails are to not be missed.

Ahrre’s Espresso Roastery | 104 Elm Road

This quaint store sells roughly 55 coffees and plenty of teas, so it’s not for the indecisive. The preferred espresso choices are Sumatra, which is gentle with a maple syrup taste, and Morning Mix, which is a strong and complicated mix of sunshine and darkish roasts. Ahree’s additionally has choices to create your personal mix, too.

Chez Catherine | 431 North Avenue

Chez Catherine is an upscale French eatery situated in the identical constructing as The Westfield Inn. It options prix fixe dinner menus with 3 course and 4 course choices. It additionally has an intensive wine menu and is an excellent spot for a extra formal meal.

The Chocolate Bar | 112 Quimby Road

This quaint store sells genuine Italian gelato, hand-dipped chocolate treats, and specialty cappuccino and espresso drinks. It’s a favourite among the many locals and a must-visit — the home made peanut butter cups are particularly scrumptious. 

Ferraro’s | 14 Elm Road

Owned and operated by a native Westfield household, this Italian restaurant is an enormous staple amongst residents and guests alike. With an enormous multi-leveled constructing together with non-public rooms, Ferraro’s serves up conventional Italian and is a family-friendly eatery.

Fettle and Fare  | 401 West Broad Road

This 100% gluten- + dairy-free facility gives ready wholesome meals, snacks, and drinks in addition to some objects served to order like soups, each day specials, and baked items.

Roosterspin  | 251 North Ave West

At Roosterspin, you possibly can belt out Karaoke in three rooms whereas consuming a number of the greatest double-fried wings and creative Korean fusion meals. This can be a good spot to go for scrumptious eats and a good time.

Vicki’s Diner | 110 East Broad Road

This beloved Nineteen Fifties-style diner with its chrome exterior and blue cubicles has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 70 years. It’s no shock that group members rallied behind the institution amidst the shutting of small companies in the course of the 2020 pandemic.

Issues to Do

If you go to a brand new city, the eating places and locally-owned outlets are must-visits. However what makes every city particular is the completely different points of interest and actions it has to supply all year long. Listed here are our picks for probably the most distinctive experiences in Westfield, New Jersey.

^ Westfield proudly celebrates Charles Addam year-round.   

Addam’s Competition

This month-long, town-wide celebration in October transforms Westfield and pays homage to all issues kooky and spooky. However above all, these occasions have a good time the well-known Westfield native, cartoonist Charles Addams, who’s believed to have modeled the Addams Household home after his household’s residence on the intersection of Elm Road and Dudley Avenue.

Evalyn Dunn Gallery | 549 South Avenue West

This gallery shows paintings from all over the world. It holds occasions year-round and options many Combine & Sips.

Open Quimby

Not like different cities that are starting to restrict the outside parklets and tents of the COVID-19 period, Westfield continues to embrace outside eating and recreation. Quimby Road within the coronary heart of downtown has stunning new tents for outside eating and actions, state-of-the-art bistro lighting, and a neat signal pole displaying the space between Quimby Road and native and worldwide locations.

Candy Sounds Downtown

Reside music takes place each Tuesday evening (rain date Wednesday) in July and August.

Westfield Farmers Market

The Westfield Farmers Market is situated on the North Avenue practice station each Saturday from 8:30AM to 1PM for the 2022 season, which is June to the final Saturday in October. 

The place to Store

Downtown options nationwide division and chain shops (like Hole, Anthropology, and Williams Sonoma) in addition to native mom-and-pop outlets.

Past Tendencies | 23 Elm Road

Past Tendencies is a ladies’s boutique with all kinds of clothes and niknaks. Its items are comfy, trendy, and mid-range in worth.

Blende Magnificence  | 106 Elm Road

Celeb make-up artist Keira Karlin owns Blende Magnificence on Elm Road. Blende Magnificence provides a Sip and Blende celebration the place a staff of pros guides you thru the creation of personalized make-up whilst you sip on signature cocktails (or mocktails, Blende is a kid-friendly location).

The Farmhouse Retailer | 221 East Broad Road

This 2-story distinctive residence furnishing retailer has specialised for 15 years in American craft and distinctive high quality residence items and presents. 

The French Martini | 41 Elm Road

This mercantile type store has distinct finds with a mixture of classic and up to date items, jewellery, small items for residence, hats, scarves, candles, and extra.

Patricia and Paul  | 20 Elm Road

House owners Patricia and Paul Hanigan satisfaction themselves on educating the dietary advantages of olives whereas providing the most effective collection of home and imported oils. Along with their oil choices, the pair supply award-winning pasta, Spanish pottery, and pure fruit spreads.

Ruby + Jenna | 206 East Broad Road

This boutique was began by a mom and daughter duo in 2009 and carries tremendous cute, fashionable, youthful types each in-house and on-line. From cozy knit sweaters for winter to midi clothes for summer time, there’s one thing for everybody.

City E-book Retailer | 270 East Broad Road

Since 1934, this unbiased e-book retailer has been a staple on the town for any e-book lover. TBS is brimming with good suggestions and a candy part for teenagers with toys and all the most effective books for each age.

Westfield Service League Thrift Store | 114 Elmer Road

The Westfield Service League has been serving Westfield for 89 years. ​It options each new and gently used clothes for any consignment and thrift consumers. Plus, the store donates a portion of its proceeds to numerous native non-profits.

Child’s Nook

^ Westfield Excessive College

The Faculties

All youngsters coming into kindergarten begin off on the Lincoln Early Childhood Studying Heart earlier than transferring on to considered one of six neighborhood elementary colleges (Franklin, Jefferson, McKinley, Tamaques, Washington, and Wilson). Upon coming into sixth grade, college students attend considered one of two intermediate colleges (Edison and Roosevelt) earlier than transferring on to Westfield Excessive College. WHS is constantly ranked among the many prime excessive colleges in New Jersey, with its college-prep programs, huge extracurriculars, music, journalism, and award-winning theatre packages.

Leisure

YesterCADES | 151 East Broad Road

Whether or not you’re a gaming veteran or attempting to entertain your youngsters, this location is a worthwhile cease for all players. Plus, after the youngsters have gone to mattress, this spot turns into an evening scene with BYOB choices after 10PM.

Parks + Playgrounds

Westfield is residence to many parks that vary in dimension and facilities. With choices for picnics, strolling trails, sight-seeing, and extra, these parks are a beautiful option to spend a sunny day.

^ Mindowaskin Park

Mindowaskin Park | 385 East Broad Road

Mindowaskin Park is one other kid-friendly park on the town, full with small lakes, ponds, and jungle gyms. No day journey is full with out taking a stroll by the park to admire the attractive surrounding surroundings.

Tamaques Reservation Park | Tamaques Manner

This 106-acre reservation and park is a good first cease for a day journey to Westfield. Full with giant, kid-friendly parks, this is a perfect place to deliver your little ones together with you.

Gumbert Park | South Chestnut Road

This park is kid-friendly and homes a number of basketball courts, Little League fields, a playground, and a jogging path. Gumbert Park can also be residence to a seasonal ice rink.

Actual Property Nook by way of The Giordano Group

The Westfield actual property market is sizzling like all Northern NJ Suburban cities. There have been 142 gross sales YTD via June 1st, which was down from 198 on the identical time final yr — so once more, we’ve a provide and demand difficulty.

There are solely 44 lively houses on the market as of June 1st. The typical gross sales worth was $1,025,825 with 43% of the houses promoting for over $1,000,000. If new development is your factor, Westfield is the city for you. Extra builders knock down houses and construct there than most different fashionable cities within the space. General, the times on market had been 29 days YTD. If you happen to’re curious about studying extra about Westfield or any neighboring cities, you may give Darren and The Giordano staff a name or shoot them an e mail at darreng@kw.com.

Keep tuned for the following city in our North Jersey sequence, coming quickly.