With it’s gorgeous, walkable downtown, tree-lined streets, close proximity to major shopping centers, highly rated schools, and easy access to NYC, it’s no wonder Westfield often tops the list of most desirable towns in the area for first-time home buyers.
Westfield’s downtown is home to numerous restaurants, popular retail stores, and boutiques. It is absolutely picturesque, and ideal for outdoor dining and family outings.
For those looking for a large town with a small town feel, definitely check out Westfield.
Westfield Public School Information
According to NJ Monthly’s most recent report (2014), Westfield High School ranked #21 out of New Jersey’s 322 public schools, rising from #49 in 2012. The report is produced every two years, and the 2016 rankings will be available in August, 2016.
The district has a central kindergarten, along with six grade 1 – 5 elementary schools and two grade 6 – 8 middle schools divided by a “North Side / South Side” boundary, as well as a single high school.
Kindergarten
Elementary Schools (Grades 1-5)
- Franklin Elementary School (North)
- Jefferson Elementary School (South)
- McKinley Elementary School (South)
- Tamaques Elementary School (South)
- Washington Elementary School (North)
- Wilson Elementary School (North)
Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)
High School (9-12)
Because the Westfield Public Schools are in Union County, public school students may apply to attend the Union County Vocational Technical Schools. They include Union County Magnet High School, Union County Academy for Information Technology, Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Union County Vocational Technical High School and Union County Academy for Performing Arts.
Westfield Commuting Information
New Jersey Transit’s Raritan Valley Line provides rail service from the Westfield train station to Newark Penn Station in Newark with connecting service to Penn Station New York. Westfield’s position and schedule on the Raritan Valley line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service is operated to/from Newark Penn Station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from New York Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station. New Jersey Transit’s 113 route provides bus service to New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately one hour to NYC, with additional service available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town (New Jersey Transit bus routes 114 & 117), taking approximately 45 minutes, and the 59 route provides local bus service between Plainfield and Newark. Olympia Trails also offers weekday bus service to New York City.
Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport, a general aviation facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey. Newark Liberty International Airport is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit train.
Westfield Downtown & Park Information
Westfield consists of two sides of the town, the North Side and the South Side. The following are distinct neighborhoods in the town:
- Brightwood
- Country Club Estates
- The Gardens
- Indian Forest
- Kimball Avenue Historic District
- Manor Park
- Stonehenge
- Stoneleigh Park
- Wychwood
Westfield’s downtown features many local and national stores, such as Lord & Taylor. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national retail chains and provides a pleasant shopping environment. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.
