Welcome to Livingston
Livingston is often called the "Bel Air" of Essex County. It is known for sprawling estates, luxury shopping, and one of the highest-ranked school districts in the state.
However, most buyers have one hesitation: "But there is no train station."
This is true, but it is also Livingston's secret weapon. Because there is no train track running through town, there is no train noise and less congestion. For savvy commuters, the "Livingston Loophole" (The Jitney) makes the trip to NYC faster than many towns with a station.
The Commuter Matrix
You don't need a train station to have a seamless commute. Here are the three ways residents reach Manhattan.
| Method |
Route |
Avg Time |
The Vibe |
| The "Express" |
Jitney -> South Orange |
45-55 Mins |
Fastest / Most Popular |
| The Bus |
Community Coach #77 |
60 Mins |
One-Seat Ride to PABT |
| The Drive |
I-280 -> Tunnel |
45-60 Mins |
Direct Highway Access |
The "Jitney" Advantage
The
Livingston Express Shuttle (The Jitney) is the lifeline of the township. It creates a virtual train station for residents.
How it Works: Residents park at the Livingston Mall (safe, plentiful parking) and take the luxury shuttle for a short 10-15 minute ride to the
South Orange Train Station. From there, you catch the Midtown Direct express train, which reaches NY Penn Station in just 30 minutes.
This "Park-and-Ride" system allows you to live in a large home in Livingston while utilizing the rail infrastructure of
South Orange—often with a shorter total door-to-door time than residents of towns further down the line.
World-Class Schools
If the commute is the hurdle, the schools are the prize. According to
Niche.com, Livingston is consistently ranked as a
Top 5 School District in New Jersey.
The Stats: Livingston High School students average
1320/1600 on the SAT and
30/36 on the ACT. The district is famous for its broad AP curriculum and pipeline to elite universities like NYU, UPenn, and Rutgers Honors.
Because the town is large (14 square miles), specific neighborhoods feed into different elementary schools (Burnet Hill, Collins, Harrison, Hillside, Mt. Pleasant, Riker Hill). Contact the
Michelle Pais Group to confirm the zoning for a specific home.
Living in Livingston
Livingston offers amenities that smaller towns simply cannot match. It is home to the
Livingston Mall and the incredibly popular
Turtle Back Zoo at the South Mountain Reservation.
Dining: The town has developed a robust culinary scene. Locals frequent
Tony Boy’s Sandwich House for lunch,
Mezza for Mediterranean dinner, and
Sweet Basil’s Cafe for brunch.
Explore Nearby Neighborhoods
