Are you considering moving to Roseland, NJ? Roseland is a borough of western Essex County located about 20 miles West of New York City, and 9 miles Northwest of Newark. Interstate 280 intersects the borough providing residents easy access to Manhattan as well as many other Jersey cities. Roseland is a town that is best known for having a “small-town” feel with a variety of walkable shops, and restaurants. The town has great schools and makes for an easy commute to NYC. Here are some of the highlights of Roseland, NJ.
THE HISTORY OF ROSELAND, NJ
Roseland, NJ is located near The Caldwells, West Orange, Verona, and Livingston. According to the Roseland community website prior to Roseland’s creation, the area was known as the “Centreville” of Livingston. Until 1874 when Roseland was renamed by Sarah Condit Harrison. Roselyn was the name initially suggested for the borough, but through a case of misspelling, it became Roseland. The borough remained part of Livingston Township until 1908 when the state legislature approved a petition to build a new school, thus making the borough its own entity.
Up to the late 1950s, Roseland was mainly a rural town with a wide variety of farms . One of the well known being Becker Farm which operated from 1880-1964. Today the city has a resident population of about 6,300 with more activities to do than ever before.
EDUCATION
Photo Credit: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
When it comes to education in Roseland the school district spans quite wide. While the Borough does have an elementary school— Lester C. Noecker School— the students of higher grades will be attending West Essex Middle School, followed by West Essex High School to finish up their early education.
The West Essex Regional School district is a highly rated school district in Essex County and in the entire state of New Jersey. The district covers elementary, middle, and high schools, serving about 1,700 total students with an average student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1.
Aside from public schools, Roseland is also known for its private schools such as Preschool/ Daycare at The Children's Corner of West Essex, the special education school: Stepping Stones School, and an Alternative school: Roseland Child Development center.
For continued education, Roseland residents will need to look to the borough’s neighboring towns The Caldwells’ which is home to Caldwell University, a private Catholic liberal arts college. The Caldwells’ are also home to Essex County College which is currently being rebuilt to better serve its students.
LOCAL DINING AND SHOPPING
The borough of Roseland offers a diverse local environment with a variety of small businesses such as restaurants, bars, bakeries, boutiques, grocery stores, and hardware stores all within a walkable area.
For local dining, there are several restaurant styles available. Some include Italian, Filipino, Thai, and Japanese cuisine located on Eagle Rock Ave and Eisenhower Pkwy. One of the local favorite eateries is Frank’s Pizza, Which offers fresh ingredients, friendly service, and authentic Italian cuisine.
For that “small-town” feel take a trip to Fairchilds Marketplace on Eagle Rock Avenue. They have your back for breakfast lunch or dinner. This half deli - half market is the perfect place to get a classic NJ sandwich, a nice cut of meat from the counter, or stock up on your favorite hand-crafted wines.
ACTIVITIES & LEISURE
There are plenty of places to go and things to do in Roseland, NJ.
If you are into health and fitness, there is a plethora of gyms, yoga studios, and recreational facilities. For those who enjoy adding a challenge to their workout, Roseland Crossfit Is the place for you. Perhaps you are looking for a more relaxing way to pass the time? Look no further than to Roseland’s Neighboring town of West Orange. they have just the place for you. Pack up the car and take a trip to the AMC Dine-In Essex Green 9 for dinner and a movie. Maybe movies aren't your thing or your family has too much energy to sit and watch a show. Roseland has plenty of sporting activities that can help you or your little ones let off some steam — visit Bond Force Memorial Park, or Essex Golf Center to practice on the driving range or try out their Golf Simulators. Check out Harrison Field & Complex to play tennis or Baseball. One thing is for sure, Roseland does not fall short on delivering a long list of places to visit and things to do.
Photo Credit: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
For nature lovers, take a stroll through West Essex Park, The West Essex Reservation is located in the western section of Essex County, touching the towns of Livingston, Roseland, West Caldwell, and Fairfield. It currently spans about 1,361 Acres and serves as a wetland preserve
Also, visit neighboring parks like Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell, Verona Park, or Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in West Orange
TRANSPORTATION
Do you commute to New York City? Luckily there are multiple travel options for the everyday commuter. Don’t like to drive? No problem! NJ Transit offers a Bus from Eagle Rock Ave At Roseland Ave to Newark Penn Station, which on average takes about 55 minutes. Additionally, De Camp operates a scheduled bus from Roseland to New York, the bus service departs from Eagle Rock Ave At Roseland Pl and arrives at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The De Camp bus journey between Roseland and New York City takes around 1h 10m. Typically 35 De Camp buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so make sure to double-check in advance.
Although NJ Transit does not offer a direct train line from Roseland to the city, you can still experience a hassle-free and relatively short commute to NYC by driving over to the nearby Newark Station located at 1 Raymond Plaza West, Newark, NJ 07102, and hop on the PATH straight to the World Trade Center.
**All information and photos referenced from the following sources**
About Roseland. Roseland NJ. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.roselandnj.org/community/pages/about-roseland
Marino, V. (2021, October 13). Roseland, N.J.: Small-town appeal with reasonable taxes. The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/13/realestate/roseland-nj-small-town-appeal-with-reasonable-taxes.html