With a population of roughly 47,000 and spanning over 5 square miles, Bloomfield offers a mix of neighborhoods and a variety of houses to fit any budget making it the perfect place for urbanites looking to find their starter homes. there’s the Brookdale section where you can find a three-bedroom Colonial or a quaint Cape Cod. There’s also the in-demand Oakview neighborhood with its Blue Ribbon elementary school and charming Tudor homes. And for apartment living, check out downtown’s luxury high-rises with their amazing amenities just off Bloomfield’s historic Green. The nearby Watsessing neighborhood offers proximity to town center and the NYC Mid-town train.
Living up to its name, Bloomfield is bursting with green open space. To the north, there’s Brookdale Park, a mini-Central Park the town shares with Montclair. Visitors can take advantage of its walking trails, sports fields, tennis courts, and archery range. There’s also a dog park, a brand new playground, and extensive lawns for lounging and picnicking. Across its 121-acres, Brookdale Park hosts festivals, Fourth of July fireworks, “fun runs,” and free concerts. There is literally something for everyone. And to the south, there’s Watsessing Park, which recently got a million dollar facelift. There is now a tricked-out playground, improved athletic fields, and a brand new splash pad offering 3,000 sq ft. of free summer fun. Just make sure to bring cash – an ice cream truck is usually parked nearby!
With more Italian restaurants than you can shake a cannoli at, and new hotspots popping up like 6 Points Pub and The Brookdale, Bloomfield’s restaurant scene is on the rise. There’s also authentic tacquerias, Peruvian barbecue, and arguably the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area. Then, of course, there’s Holsten’s, the old-fashioned diner and ice cream parlor where “The Sopranos” shot its final scene. Fans may still be angry over the ending, but there’s one thing that makes everyone happy – Holsten’s onion rings which Tony Soprano himself described as “the best in the state.” And downtown on summer Fridays, residents can have “Dinner Under the Stars” when traffic is stopped and restaurants take over the streets, offering patrons a unique dining experience set to live music.
Luckily, Wayne’s Willowbrook Mall and the Livingston Mall are only 20 minutes away and the Clifton Commons shopping center is even closer. With access like that, you’ll spend less time driving and more time roaming the aisles of Tar-jay.
As for the commute, Bloomfield has two train stations where commuters can catch the Midtown Direct and zip to Penn Station in just 20 minutes. Express buses to Port Authority also offer a path to the city, and easy access to the Garden State Parkway makes commuting anywhere by car a breeze.
So if you think you can’t afford a family-friendly suburb just west of NYC, try Bloomfield on for size.