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Union, New Jersey is a busy suburban township in Union County, roughly fifteen miles from Manhattan, and Kean University gives it a steady college presence. The campus sits at the edge of town near the Elizabeth and Hillside lines, so the student footprint reaches into several neighboring communities. Union mixes residential streets, commercial corridors, and the lived-in suburban character common to this stretch of the metro area. Green space is a highlight: Liberty Hall, a historic estate and museum tied to the founding era, sits beside campus, and the Watchung Reservation and Echo Lake Park offer wooded trails a short drive away. Downtown Elizabeth and the Elmora district sit close by, and New York, Newark, and the Jersey Shore are all within easy reach.
The streets immediately around campus are the easiest pick, full of houses and apartments within a short walk or shuttle of class.
In neighboring Elizabeth, this area draws students who want a denser, more walkable feel with solid bus and train links.
Larger apartment buildings and direct transit, appealing to students who want more urban energy a short ride from campus.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Union.
NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line stops at Union station, putting Newark Penn Station and a transfer to Manhattan within a straightforward ride, and NJ Transit buses connect to Newark and Elizabeth. Kean runs its own shuttle linking campus, the train station, and student housing, so reaching class car-free is realistic. The train, buses, and shuttle cover the essentials. Check schedules to match your neighborhood and campus times.
Walkability is decent around campus, but Union is a suburban township, so some errands favor a quick drive. Biking works on calmer streets, though major roads carry traffic. The area immediately around Kean is the easiest to handle on foot. Plan rides to avoid the busiest corridors.
The Garden State Parkway runs through town, so a car opens up grocery runs, the Watchung Reservation, and trips to the Shore. Many students keep one, though the train, buses, and shuttle cover daily needs. Parking is generally manageable in this suburban setting. Confirm permit and parking rules with your complex or the university before move-in.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Around campus, studios run roughly $1,800 to $1,900 a month and one-bedrooms near $1,900 to $2,000, while two-bedrooms split with a roommate bring each share down meaningfully. Rooms in shared houses and units in Elmora or Hillside tend to offer more value, so most students pair up to keep costs in check.
Browse student housing near each Union-area university.