Summit

Summit is a city in Union County in North NJ that is a diverse community, with a mix of residential and commercial areas. The city is home to a number of historical landmarks, including the Summit Playhouse, which is the oldest community theater in New Jersey. The city's downtown area is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, with a variety of independent stores, restaurants, and cafes.  The city is known for its tree-lined streets and beautiful Victorian-era homes, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Overall, Summit is a thriving community that offers a high quality of life and a variety of amenities for residents and visitors alike.  

Landscape

This tree-dense suburban community is nestled in the hills of the Watchung Reservation with six square miles of broken hills at a 450-foot elevation. Summit sits above Springfield, to the west of Millburn, and to the northwest, Chatham joins Summit to pinch the broad valley of the Passaic River.  While the majority of Summit is flat, there are areas with homes on inclines. Driving around, you will see neighborhoods with varying sizes including mansions, larger homes and smaller homes.  There are several complexes of rentals, condos, townhomes and multi-family homes.  There is not a 'cookie cutter' feel to the area as Summit is an older town.  Colonial homes are the most common architecture but there are Victorians ranches, capes, duplexes, carriage houses, splits, and tudors.  The amount of land for the homes varies greatly but even $1M homes are sold without large backyards.  Summit residential real estate is among one of the most expensive in the state. 

Transportation

A major transportation hub, Summit boasts numerous rail and bus links to Newark and Manhattan, Routes 24 and 78, the Garden State Parkway, and Newark-Liberty International Airport. Commuters find this thriving community a perfect place to settle. The Midtown Direct train is a 30-minute express ride to Penn Station. The City of Summit has numerous parking garages and ample parking for resident commuters and downtown employees.  In addition to having a train station, there is access to bus routes that take you to NYC as well as direct access to Rte 78 that connects directly to both NY and PA.  The Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike and Rte 287 are within close proximity.  

SCHOOLS

The highly rate district serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and operates nine schools:

1. Jefferson Primary School (grades PreK-K)
2. Wilson Primary School (grades PreK-K)
3. Brayton Elementary School (grades 1-5)
4. Franklin Elementary School (grades 1-5)
5. Jefferson Elementary School (grades 1-5)
6. Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary School (grades 1-5)
7. Washington Elementary School (grades 1-5)
8. Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (grades 6-8)
9. Summit High School (grades 9-12)

Pre-K offers both full day and half day programs.  Kindergarten is a full day.  In addition to the public schools, Summit also has a number of private schools, including The Pingry School (PreK-12), Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child (PreK-12), and Summit Day School (PreK-8).  Additionally, summit is in close proximity to several other private elementary and high schools.  Finally, the county has several magnet schools and vocational school opportunities.  92% of the students go onto college. 

WHAT TO DO

NYC is a popular destination for day trips but Summit is also a mecca of arts, environment, recreation and cultural programs to engage and educate the community.

Summit's Downtown Business District has a variety of retail and commercial businesses with an abundance of specialty and gift shops, clothing stores, home furnishings, restaurants, bakeries, fine wine outlets and ample parking all within short walking distances.

The Recreation center, the Summit YMCA, the Connection, and many other non-profit organizations enable residents of all ages the ability to participate in leisure and health-related programs at reasonable prices.   Summit has numerous playing fields to include baseball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, running track, a 9-par Golf Course and a Municipal Pool. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is a commitment to the arts offering cultural activities, ranging from art exhibits and jazz concerts to courses for budding artists. The Summit Free Public Library offers an adverse array of cultural readings, movies, special events and free internet access for all ages.  Summer brings free concerts, movies and entertainment with food and music festivals presented in the past.  Streets are also closed during warmer months to add al fresco dining.  Other activities have included downtown trick or treating, parades, holiday festivals

For nature lovers, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a great place to visit with formal gardens and woodlands on its 12.5 acres site and is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Nature classes and seasonal events are available for both children and adults.  Neighboring towns provide even more opportunities for hiking and cultural activities including the Paper Mill Playhouse in neighboring Millburn.

If fitness is important to you, Equinox in Summit is a great place but there are other options like Crossfit and K2 Fitness as well as classes and gym at both the YMCA and the Connection.  If you are willing to travel outside Summit, there are some great facilities nearby including Soul Cycle in Millburn and Lifetime Fitness in Berkeley Heights, Gabriele Fitness & Orangetheory, just to name a few!

HOSPITALS

Summit is home to Overlook Hospital but other Area hospitals include Morristown Memorial and Cooperman Barnabus are all rated highly and each have their own specialty they are known for.  Before an emergency occurs, it is best to understand which hospital is the best to seek help.