Sandi Chung

Sandi Chung

REALTORS®

License #: 2079221

Keller Williams Premier Properties

Mobile:
973-698-0720
Office:
908.273.2991
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Westfield

The appeal of Westfield is understandable, as this central Union County town offers — a bustling downtown, a vibrant cultural scene and good transportation options to NYC — along with many benefits, like attractive homes, well-regarded schools and a sense of community.

The Neighborhoods of Westfield NJ-Westfield has several distinct neighborhoods.

Stoneleigh Park- Within the suburb of Westfield lies a hidden jewel, Stoneleigh Park, is a neighborhood set right in the middle of the lively town. The structures date back to the turn-of-the-century, each with a traditional charm. The Park is the essence of a tranquil park for residents who prefer a serene living space. In addition to its’ beauty, Stoneleigh Park is a premier location, offering an easy walk to the train station, high school, and the center of town. Not too many families will be lucky enough to call Stoneleigh home because the Park consists of only 29 homes.

Brightwood -The neighborhood provides a charming, small-town feel where residents feel at home in the relaxed, woodsy surroundings. Brightwood Pond offers a scenic spot for residents all year round. The residents can find Franklin Elementary School just down the road, one of the many schools within Westfield’s renowned school system.

Wychwood- A community of upscale homes in the northeast part of town, Wychwood’s scenic winding streets of manicured homes, invite residents to take their daily walks. For a secluded space for residents who prefer being tucked away from the bustling town center, Wychwood was among the first developments in Westfield with the housing stock dating back to the 1920s & 1940’s. This neighborhood is a favorite with Westfield’s Home Builders who have razed many homes and built stunning new homes. Plenty of mansions dot the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets, many on Kimball Circle Woodland Avenue.

The Gardens- This upscale Westfield enclave of stately older Colonials, mixed in with old world Tudors,  is a perfect place to buy your new home.Developed in the 1920’s, the Gardens is a quintessential Westfield neighborhood.

 

The History

Settled by immigrants from Europe in 1720, the “West Fields of Elizabethtown” developed from a settlement to a community, and incorporated as a town in 1903. The Lenni Lenape Indians were the area's earliest human inhabitants, several hundred years before the arrival of our first colonists.The cartoonist Charles Addams was born in Westfield in 1912, and grew up here. One of the family’s residences, at 411 Elm Street, was believed to be the inspiration for the macabre Addams Family house.

What You’ll Find

This 6.7-square-mile town of around 30,300 is divided by train tracks, with some of the larger and pricier homes found on the north side. In recent years, teardowns have replaced some modest homes with larger ones. Multifamily and rental properties include a condo conversion in a former high school on Trinity Place.   Westfield’s downtown includes national department and chain stores, as well as local mom-and-pop shops and highly rated restaurants. Houses range from small Cape Cods and ranches to grand estates on expansive, tree-lined properties.

What You’ll Pay

In the 12-month period ending March 31st, 406 homes sold in Westfield at a median price of $962,500. In the 12-month period a year earlier, 407 homes sold at a median of $785,329. At the top end was an eight-bedroom eight-bathroom 1929 stone mansion on 4.72 acres listed at $4.45 million.

Condominiums on the market in the newer developments range from $329,000 for a two-bedroom unit at Trinity Place to $899,000 for a two-bedroom 2015 townhouse on Prospect Street.

What to Do

The town has a community theater, a movie house, an orchestra, and many other musical and arts events, like a summer jazz series where live bands play in five downtown locations on Tuesday nights. There are nine parks in town, and the private Echo Lake Country Club. Many residents belong to the Westfield Memorial Pool. The huge Westfield Memorial Library holds around 250,000 books and offers numerous programs for adults and children. Townwide events, like the Downtown Westfield 5K Run and Pizza Extravaganza in July and the Halloween parade, draw thousands of participants from around the region.

The Schools

The district has 10 schools, including the Lincoln Early Childhood Learning Center, for centralized prekindergarten and kindergarten, six elementary schools for first to fifth graders, two middle schools for Grades 6 to 8, and Westfield High School. With around 1,850 students. Westfield Senior High School is among the a top rated in NJ,  with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 59% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading. Westfield High School offers a comprehensive program of some 165 different courses and 17 Advanced Placement (AP) classes.  80% of the students participate in co-curricular activities, including 60 different co-curricular activities and 27 varsity athletic teams.The school's marching band won the USBands Group V A national championship in 2015. Private school choices include Holy Trinity Interparochial School, which has a Westfield campus for kindergarten through Grade 8, and Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains.

 

Private and Parochial Schools Near Westfield:  There are many excellent private and parochial schools in the area. Some of those options are:

Preschools Near Westfield: There are also many excellent preschool options in the area. A few of the many options are:

 

The Commute

The drive takes about 40 minutes, traffic permitting, of around 24 miles to Manhattan . New Jersey Transit trains run from Westfield to New York’s Penn Station, with a transfer in Newark during commuter hours; passengers leaving Westfield at 7:39 a.m. are scheduled to reach New York at 8:32. In 2014, New Jersey Transit began a “one-seat ride” pilot program offering off-peak direct train service into the city. The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition is leading an effort to expand the one-seat ride schedule into commuter hours.  https://www.westfieldnj.gov/parking

The New Jersey Transit bus 113X goes from Westfield to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in around an hour.

Local Businesses

  • 16 Prospect: Live music, upscale bar food (all made in-house, including the bread) and an extensive wine menu make this a town hot spot.
  • Chez Catherine: A date night staple, this French restaurant serves up Tendre de Boeuf aux Morilles  (Angus beef shoulder tenderloin) or Duo d’Agneau Printanier (oven-roasted lavender lamb loin) for a fancy dinner.
  • Ferraro’s: This Italian spot (not pictured) has allergy-sensitive and gluten-free dishes. Take advantage of outdoor dining and valet parking.
  • Kilwins: You’ll find tons of treats and killer ice cream in this full-scale candy shop. Smell the delicious fudge through the front window before you even walk in.
  • Bovella’s Bakery: This spot whips up next-level cakes and cute character cupcakes for the kids. Fun fact: You can even make a cross-country delivery to your homesick college kid.
  • Glamorous Girlz: Girls can get haircuts, mani/pedis and glitter tattoos before walking the runway at this fave birthday party locale.
  • Trader Joe’s: This isn’t just any TJs. It’s one of only two in NJ (the other is in Princeton) that sells the chain’s beloved Charles Shaw wines, also known as Two Buck Chuck.
  • Towne Barber Shoppe: Established in 1946, this spot is a throwback, twirling barber poles and all. Boys get a paper airplane and lollipop on their way out.
  • Baron’s Drugstore: In business since 1936, this is a place where the pharmacist knows your name and you can still charge your prescription to a house account or have it delivered to your door. The shop has a little bit  of everything, but kids especially love the 5-cent candy section.
  • Castle Bootery: A favorite in town for more than 65 years, this shoe store does custom fittings and even offers monthly shoe-tying classes for preschoolers.
  • The Farmhouse Store: “Think everything from soaps, candles and fun message socks to NJ-themed wall art, dish towels and pillows,” says Westfield’s Chief Spirit Officer (AKA the town’s official cheerleader) Meaghan Murphy.

 

Distinctly Westfield

 

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