Upper Montclair, NJ 306 Apartments for Rent

You probably know the name Buzz Aldrin. Yes, that's him, the lunar pilot on that fateful trip on Apollo 11 and the second guy to touch down on that big lump of rock called the moon. Well, Aldrin lived in Montclair and went to Montclair High School.

Now, Upper Montclair is actually a census designated place, or CDP, not a city. In fact, it's an unincorporated area within Montclair proper, with a population of 11,565, as far as the 2010 U.S. Census tells us. The area is often misconceived as being a completely separate municipality from Montclair, even by the people who live there. In reality, it's just a neighborhood within Montclair. That being said, Upper Montclair is in Essex County, New Jersey, and is within an easy stone's throw from New York City. In fact, the Big Apple is little more than 10 miles to the east, making Upper Montclair a great spot for commuters. Naturally, being a suburb within one of the most populous regions in the U.S., transportation links to the Manhattan area are excellent, while the weather is characterized by warm summers and cold winters, with nice springs and crisp autumns in between. So, if you're looking for somewhere that experiences all four seasons, you'll be looking in the right place.

Moving to Upper Montclair

Upper Montclair is quite lavish, in parts. Be warned, you're not going to have an easy time finding rental accommodations in Upper Montclair that are for the average renter. If that's what you're after, you might want to start considering some alternatives.

Highly Competitive

If you've got brothers and sisters, you might be used to a little competition. That experience might stand you in good stead because real estate here is highly prized. Most homes are owner-occupied, so rental homes are tricky to find. Not only that, but vacancy rates are really low, so demand is largely outstripping supply. This is no surprise, given the CDP's proximity to New York and its pretty streets and large homes. So, if you're dead set on moving to Upper Montclair, gear yourself up for a real battle because it's not going to be easy.

What You'll Find

If you're looking for an apartment in Upper Montclair, you might want to just quit while you're ahead and start looking somewhere else. Montclair itself will have a lot more apartment buildings, so you might want to check there. In reality, almost all of the property in Upper Montclair comprises three- to four-bedroom detached homes, so if you're on your own or you're looking for somewhere small, you'll be unlikely to find somewhere suitable. In addition, much of the housing here was built prior to 1939, with many houses built a lot earlier, so expect to find a mixture of Victorian housing and Gilded Age housing in the neighborhood.

Prepare Your Finances

You probably won't be looking for a place to live in Upper Montclair if you don't have a bit of money tucked away, and this is going to be important because your security deposit is likely to be fairly high. You'll also be subject to reference checks and credit checks to determine your financial viability to rent an apartment in Upper Montclair. If this is a concern for you, you'll need to think about ways to get around it, such as borrowing cash for a deposit or getting a guarantor to step in and back you up. Most people in the CDP travel to and from Manhattan day after day, so if this is what you're going to be doing, you'll find yourself in good company.

Neighborhoods in Upper Montclair

The title here is a little misleading because there's no plural to the word neighborhood when it comes to Upper Montclair. In fact, Upper Montclair is essentially a neighborhood in Montclair itself, so you aren't going to find too many options if you want to move there. Not many apartment complexes in this area, mostly residential houses and one- to three bedroom houses. The walk score for the area is 65, meaning that some tasks are walkable, but not all. If you commute to Manhattan, you'll probably be using public transportation, rather than a car, anyway, and transportation options for heading into the city are excellent.

So, about the neighborhood itself? What do we have? Well, aside from the lovely streets and large homes, there's plenty of greenery. Yantacaw Brook Park, Tuers Park and Alonzo F Bonsal Wildlife Preserve are three open areas of note, while the Mountainside Public Pool is the biggest of three pools in Montclair. If you're on the hunt for a spot to eat, you're also in luck. On Bellevue Avenue, just near Anderson Park, you'll find a host of eateries, including Da Vinci's Pizza, T.S. Ma Chinese Cuisine and Tuscany Restaurant, all within close distance to each other. Around here, you'll also find a few bars and cafes, shops and banks as well to satisfy your daily needs.

Living in Montclair

Montclair is a place characterized by its large homes and beautifully kept parks. It's almost like the perfect suburb, easily within reach of New York and other major urban areas, while being far enough away to have its own seclusion and small town feel. In fact, Manhattan is only 12 miles away, making Montclair one of the most sought after suburbs not only in the state, but in the whole of the U.S. The CDP is walkable, has a diverse and rich mix of architectural styles, a great school system, world-class art, vibrant restaurants, and a fantastic park system with plenty to enjoy. Residents are friendly and welcoming, with many splitting their time between New York and Montclair on a daily basis. Commuter routes are easy toward the east, with Route 46 and New Jersey Route 3 close by. There are bus routes to New York and Newark, among others, as well as a rail service that runs through the CDP. So, whether by rail or road or in a car or bus, you'll find yourself easily linked to other settlements in the area.