This is adapted from a blog post written by Amy Harris.
So why do Brooklyn transplants love living in South Orange and Maplewood? Here are the reasons my buyers who hail from Brooklyn have said they enjoy their new life in both towns.
Reason #1 – Coffee
Brooklyn residents are crazy about their coffee. They like it organically grown, with “fair trade” growers, from exotic lands. South Orange offers a wide range of coffee options from the mundane (Dunkin’ Donuts), to more artisanal options like Mara’s Cafe, Cait & Abby’s, good old fashioned diner coffee and of course – the most expensive of all… Starbucks. So Brooklyn we’ve got your coffee addiction covered.
Reason # 2 – Public Transportation – Ease of Commute
I have been told over and over by former Brooklyn residents that their commutes from South Orange and Maplewood basically take the same amount of time as they did when they commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan. How is that possible? Because South Orange and Maplewood are located only 18-20 miles from Manhattan and offer trains that go direct to Midtown or to Hoboken where downtown commuters either switch to the PATH train or take the ferry across the river.
Reason # 3 – The Mix of People
Probably the scariest thought about moving to the suburbs is the fear that people will be bland or uninspiring. And that’s probably one of the most unique aspects of both towns. The diversity is unmatched by most suburban towns in the area. Kids who grow up here have exposure to so many different types of people racially, socially, and professionally it prepares them for today’s global economy. Residents include some of Broadway’s most esteemed actors, the star of one of Fox’s most successful sitcoms, musicians (especially jazz), corporate types, entrepreneurs, journalists, bankers and artists.
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Amy Harris is a leading real estate agent at one of the top producing offices of Keller Williams nationwide. Specializing in markets along the Midtown Direct train line with a special emphasis on South Orange and Maplewood, she offers her clients true concierge service – from the start through completion of every real estate transaction she takes on. Harris donates a significant portion of the revenue she earns from each transaction to “Give Back Homes” a foundation that helps to build homes for families in need and is a Board of Trustee of The South Orange Maplewood Community Coalition on Race.
