Officially, New Providence is a borough, or boro, a New Jersey peculiarity. It's not the same as a borough in NYC, which indicates part of a greater whole. Instead, it's an independent municipal government with a mayor and borough council members who are all elected. It's a party over here!
There's no question that New Providence is a bedroom community since a lot of its mattresses host commuters from Manhattan
Officially, New Providence is a borough, or boro, a New Jersey peculiarity. It's not the same as a borough in NYC, which indicates part of a greater whole. Instead, it's an independent municipal government with a mayor and borough council members who are all elected. It's a party over here!
There's no question that New Providence is a bedroom community since a lot of its mattresses host commuters from Manhattan. But those who don't want to travel find corporate HQs and branches in town that are always looking for top-notch employees. In addition, residents enjoy gently curving treelined streets, over a dozen recreation facilities, and nonstop shopping in the neocolonial ambiance of the Village Shopping Center.
Apartment rentals in New Providence are relatively scarce so you're more likely to lease single-family rental homes or condominiums. Instead of talking with apartment management companies, you'll be negotiating with individual owners. You might have to deal with unusual quirks ("You can only barbecue on Saturday mornings and Thursday nights"), but you might have more leeway in adjusting monthly fees, security deposits or included utilities. Always ask to see properties up close because features vary by rental.
Whatever property you want to lease, qualification standards will be the same. You'll need to show employment for at least two years, owe no money to previous landlords, and have no felony or domestic violence convictions. You must also allow access to your credit report, which is how managers find out how good you are with on-time payments of rent and other financial obligations. However, your hard work will be rewarded as there are plenty of different rental homes in New Providence, and even some furnished apartments for those looking to move with less stuff.
If you don't have your own jalopy to tool about town or catch Interstate 78 to Manhattan, you can ride one of the buses run by New Jersey Transit. Truthfully, the two commuter train stations might provide faster service, especially during the heavily trafficked rush hours. Otherwise, the two neighborhoods of the borough have a WalkScore that allows only some errands on foot.
Borough Center: Brownie points to you for guessing this neighborhood has most of the shops and restaurants, with many at the Village Shopping Center, an outdoor mall. But this more affordable area is also great for outdoor activity because of several rec areas like Oakwood Park and the swimming facilities at the New Providence Community Pool. You can also soothe your stressed-out soul at the many relaxing tendrils of the Passaic River that flow through the area.
Murray Hill: This neighborhood is so tiny that some locals prefer to put its name on return addresses instead of the more common "New Providence." Commuters enjoy this neighborhood because of the Murray Hill train station.
It's not necessarily a good idea to be living and working in the same area. After all, how can you truly get off work if your office is just around the corner? But if that combination gives you the jollies, New Providence delivers. The likes of Alcatel Lucent, Panasonic, Linde, and C.R. Bard can provide ample opportunities, especially if you're a professional or managerial type. The borough itself boasts an AAA-bond rating because of, as the government likes to brag, "strong economic health and prudent fiscal management."
The borough's options for fun can easily get you off your rear and into the open. The rec department offers a full slate of athletic programs for all ages, sports camps, and enrichment programs in art and music. If you want to do your own thing, Oakwood Park offers the most options among all the public facilities. It features fields for soccer and baseball, courts for bocce and basketball, ponds for ice skating in the winter, a playground, nature trails, and a canoe launch for exploring the Passaic River, which forms the borough's northwest border.
The Historical Society can always use a few good volunteers to catalog the past. The small, free museum is open on Thursdays and two Sundays a month. It even runs its own Mason Room for research within the New Providence Memorial Library.
Event wise, the New Providence Business and Professional Association (NPBPA) oversees most get-togethers. There's the 5K Race in June to help raise funds for those waiting for medical transplants, summer concerts in the park, and a farmers market, which runs on Wednesdays in the summer. The Street Fair signals the fall season by providing a petting zoo, food booths, kiddie rides, and arts and entertainment.
