01 • Premier Commuter Town
Summit
Downtown + Midtown Direct
A compact, upscale city with a lively downtown, established neighborhoods and one-seat rail service to Manhattan on many trains.
Train • Dining • Downtown • Classic Homes
Your Guide To
Living in Union County
Northern New Jersey
Dense, walkable and exceptionally well connected.
Union County combines lively downtowns, established residential neighborhoods, convenient rail service and some of New Jersey's most practical locations for commuting into New York City.
Close to Everything
Walkable Towns, Classic Neighborhoods & Serious Commuter Appeal
Union County sits at the crossroads of suburban New Jersey and the New York metro area. Its communities range from polished downtowns such as Summit and Westfield to river-centered Cranford, transit-rich Rahway, compact Fanwood and larger suburban communities such as Scotch Plains, Springfield and Union Township.
What ties much of the county together is convenience. Shops, restaurants, parks, train stations and major roadways are often close at hand, while housing ranges from apartments and townhomes to older colonials, capes, split-levels and larger single-family properties.
For buyers who want Northern New Jersey access without giving up neighborhood character, Union County offers an unusually broad set of choices within a relatively compact footprint.
Commuter AccessMultiple rail corridors, bus options and major highways support NYC and regional commuting.
Walkable DowntownsSummit, Westfield, Cranford, Rahway and Fanwood each offer distinct town-center lifestyles.
Housing VarietyCondos, townhomes, classic older homes, suburban neighborhoods and luxury properties.
North Jersey LocationClose to Newark, Manhattan, major employment centers, shopping and Newark Liberty Airport.
Find Your Fit
What Kind of Union County Lifestyle?
Start with your daily routine—train, downtown, yard size, housing style and budget—then compare the communities that match it best.
01 • Direct-Train Energy
Summit
Station-centered living, a refined downtown and Midtown Direct service make Summit a signature commuter choice.
02 • Downtown + Classic Homes
Westfield
A broad downtown district, established residential streets and strong commuter appeal in a classic suburban setting.
03 • River + Walkability
Cranford
A compact center built around the Rahway River and train station, with restaurants, events and neighborhood charm.
04 • Value + Transit
Rahway / Linden
More urban-suburban communities with rail access, evolving downtowns and a wider mix of housing options.
Communities to Explore
Popular Union County Towns
These communities show how much the experience can change within a short drive or train ride.
02 • Classic Suburban Center
Westfield
Shopping + Restaurants + Neighborhood Character
One of Union County's best-known downtowns, surrounded by tree-lined streets, older housing stock and a strong community-centered feel.
Downtown • Rail • Shopping • Restaurants
03 • Walkable + Community Oriented
Cranford
Train Station + Rahway River
A walkable downtown with restaurants, shops and community events, plus established residential neighborhoods close to the center.
Walkability • Train • Dining • River
04 • Transit + Urban-Suburban Mix
Rahway
Northeast Corridor Connections
A more urban feel with a growing downtown, arts and dining options, apartments and convenient rail access toward Newark and New York.
Rail • Downtown • Arts • Apartments
05 • Suburban Space
Scotch Plains
Residential + Convenient
A larger suburban community with varied neighborhoods, parks and quick access to Fanwood's train station and regional roadways.
Space • Parks • Schools • Commuting
06 • Compact Commuter Borough
Fanwood
Small-Town Scale + Rail
A compact residential borough with a walkable station area, local businesses and close ties to neighboring Scotch Plains.
Train • Community • Small Borough • Dining
07 • Close-In Suburban Living
Springfield
Highway Access + Central Location
A well-positioned suburban township near Summit, Millburn and major shopping, with quick access to Route 24 and I-78.
Highways • Shopping • Suburban • Location
08 • Convenience + Variety
Union Township
Large Township + Broad Housing Choice
One of the county's larger communities, offering varied neighborhoods, retail, highway access and its own NJ Transit station.
Transit • Highways • Shopping • Housing Variety
Getting Around
Built for North Jersey Connections
Union County's location is one of its strongest selling points. Depending on the town, residents can use NJ Transit rail, buses, the Garden State Parkway, I-78, Route 22, Route 24 and nearby interstates to reach Manhattan, Newark, Jersey City and employment centers across North Jersey.
New York CitySeveral communities offer direct or convenient rail connections into Manhattan, with travel times that can be among the most attractive in the state.
Newark / Jersey CityUnion County's eastern location makes regional employment centers especially accessible by rail and road.
Newark Liberty AirportMany Union County communities are within a practical drive of one of the region's largest airports.
Major HighwaysI-78, the Garden State Parkway, Route 22, Route 24 and nearby Turnpike connections support regional travel.
Beyond the Commute
Everyday Life in Union County
Downtown Dining
Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Rahway and other town centers offer restaurants, cafés, bakeries and independent local businesses.
Parks & Recreation
County and municipal parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, golf, greenways and the Watchung Reservation provide outdoor options close to home.
Shopping
From walkable downtown boutiques to Route 22 retail and nearby regional destinations, everyday shopping is rarely far away.
Arts & Culture
Rahway's arts district, local theaters, libraries, seasonal events and community programming add year-round activity.
Housing Choice
Buyers can compare condos, townhomes, capes, colonials, split-levels, multifamily properties and larger luxury homes depending on location.
Location Flexibility
Union County works well for households balancing Manhattan commutes with access to Morris, Essex, Somerset, Middlesex and Hudson counties.
A Quick Starting Point
Five Communities to Compare First
Not a ranking—just five useful starting points that represent different Union County lifestyles.
01SummitDirect Train + Refined Downtown
02WestfieldClassic Suburb + Big Downtown
03CranfordWalkable + River + Rail
04FanwoodCompact + Commuter Friendly
05RahwayTransit + Urban Energy
Thinking About Moving?
Find the Union County Town That Fits Your Life
In Union County, the right move can come down to a few blocks: distance to the train, downtown walkability, housing style, lot size, taxes and the type of neighborhood feel you want every day. The Courtney Orlando Group at Compass can help you compare communities, understand current real estate options and build a search around your priorities.
Real estate information is provided for general informational purposes. Housing availability, taxes, transportation schedules, school assignments and municipal services can change. Buyers should independently verify information important to their decision. Equal Housing Opportunity.
