Hailed by the New York Times as a Norman Rockwellesque town, Maplewood is a cosmopolitan community with an artistic sensibility and historic architecture. Chosen by New York Magazine (2002) as one of the top 10 affordable suburbs in the New York Metro area, Money Magazine (2002) named Maplewood among the “Best Places to Live” in the United States. “A 30-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan, Maplewood, N.J. is a favorite compromise for city people who also want good public schools, affordable homes, and their own yards.” The housing stock in Maplewood varies from modest cottages to Center Hall and Side Hall Colonials and Tudors and the occasional Victorian, most built in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Prices range from the $200K’s to roughly $1.5M. Maplewood also has a jitney service with jitney stops all around Maplewood that run in the morning and rush hour/early evening to/from the Maplewood Train Station.
Maplewood and South Orange are sister towns and share a school district. There are three libraries in the two towns – plus a borrowing agreement with universities and other libraries. Both towns have community pools, public and private tennis courts, basketball courts, and the Maplewood Country Club has a pool plus private golf course. In the summer, two Farmer’s Markets, one on Springfield Ave. in Maplewood, the other in the train station parking lot in South Orange, offer the best in NJ’s fresh produce and flowers. Maplewood is also home to Maplewoodstock, a summer music festival, as well as a huge 4th of July celebration complete with a big top circus and fireworks. Nearly 30 neighborhood associations preserve “over the back fence” neighborliness and community.
Some of my favorite restaurants in Maplewood are Verjus, fine French dining and reasonable prices, plus Jane makes you feel right at home. Dan at Arturos’s makes some fine brick oven pizza, and since his restaurant has been reviewed in the New York Times, it’s hard to get a table, but take out is always an excellent option. Sona, a fabulous Indian food restaurant, rivals some of the best places on East 6th St. in NYC, and Mt. Fuji (formerly Samurai Sushi) serves the best sushi, you’ll often find me and my colleagues Ellen & PJ enjoying the lunch specials as low as $8.95, including soup & salad! St. James Gate serves great burgers and pub chips, Roman Gourmet, a family owned pizzeria is the best for slices; they make a mean pesto with fresh mozzarella thin crust. And I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to Steve, owner and chef of the Maple Leaf Diner, who makes the best spanikopita. They also serve great breakfast specials for $2.75 on weekdays.
