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Montclair, New Jersey is a leafy commuter town twelve miles west of Manhattan, and Montclair State University anchors a sizable student presence on its northern edge. The campus sits where Montclair meets Little Falls and Clifton, so the student footprint spills into several towns at once, and most students live off campus. You'll find walkable commercial districts in Upper Montclair and along Bloomfield Avenue, with the bookstores, galleries, and sidewalk cafe culture the town is known for. Green space is everywhere: Brookdale Park straddles the Bloomfield line, Mills Reservation offers wooded trails, and Eagle Rock Reservation looks toward the skyline. The Montclair Film Festival and a busy farmers market round out a vibe that's artsy, suburban, and close to the city.
The postcard-pretty pick, with tree-lined streets, a walkable village center, and its own train station students love for the Manhattan commute.
Through downtown, this corridor keeps you close to nightlife, the arts scene, and direct bus service, ideal if you want to be where things happen.
Practically next door to the university, it attracts upperclassmen who walk or bike to class.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Montclair.
Getting around Montclair leans on NJ Transit. Two rail lines, the Montclair-Boonton and the Morris & Essex, thread through town with stops like Montclair State University, Bay Street, Walnut Street, and Upper Montclair, putting Manhattan's Penn Station and Hoboken within a quick ride. The university also runs shuttle buses linking the train station, residence halls, and academic buildings, and NJ Transit buses cover Bloomfield Avenue. The trains and shuttle keep you fine without a car.
Upper Montclair and downtown are walkable, with groceries and class on foot. Biking works on calmer streets, though the hills call for caution. The walkable village centers make daily errands easy without driving. Plan bike routes around the steeper stretches.
Many students keep a car for grocery runs and apartments out in Clifton or Little Falls. The trains and shuttle cover most daily needs, so a car is optional near the train lines. Parking is generally manageable in the residential areas. Confirm permit and parking rules with your complex or the university before move-in.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Most students find one-bedroom apartments running roughly $1,500 to $2,000 a month, with shared houses and two-bedroom units bringing the per-person number down. Studios in Upper Montclair and rooms in shared rentals sit at the lower end, while newer complexes near the train stations push higher. Splitting a place with roommates is the usual move.
Browse student housing near each Montclair-area university.