Short Hills

Storied Homes and Rolling Hills

Families looking for a home within close proximity to New York City often turn to Millburn Township, and more specifically the enclave of Short Hills. Just 23 miles outside of the City and conveniently located on the Midtown Direct line, Short Hills, New Jersey is a small town characterized by beautiful tree-lined streets dotted with Tudor-style homes and large Center Hall Colonials. 

There are approximately 13,000 residents living in the 5.2 square mile community. With a small downtown that includes its own post office, railroad station, and pharmacy, Short Hills differs from many surrounding towns in that it remains almost entirely residential.

The New York Times published an article about Short Hills in 2012 in their Living In section, Schools, Shops and Transit, in a Pretty Package.

With an overall A+ rating in Niche, Short Hills is an enclave of Millburn and rated the best place to raise a family in Essex County:

Short Hills is part of the Millburn Township school district. There are three elementary schools in Short Hills: Hartshorn, Deerfield, and Glenwood. In 2017, a consolidated 5th-grade school, Washington School, was opened for students, and Millburn and Short Hills students go on to attend Millburn Middle School and Millburn High School. There is also an integrated preschool program for children aged 3 to 5 with classes taking place at Deerfield Elementary and South Mountain Elementary in Millburn.

The highly-rated school system is one of the primary attractions of Millburn for many families. In the most recent U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Report, Millburn High School was ranked #418 nationally and #18 in New Jersey. Approximately 70% of high school students took at least one AP exam, and the high school is ranked #105 nationally in the category of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) High Schools. The high school retains a 98% graduation rate.

For complete information on the Millburn public schools, visit the district website or our Schools page.

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Commuting To and From Short Hills

Short Hills has a stop on the Midtown Direct train line to New York City. There is also a large, commuter parking lot across from the train station. Township residents can apply for a permit to utilize the various commuter lots and have access to pay-per-plate meters as well. People commuting to New York City can be at Penn Station in 45 minutes making Short Hills a commuter magnet.

The town of Short Hills also has convenient access to I-78 and Route 24 East and West. Commuters can easily drive into New York City or travel west to towns like Morristown. For more information on the transit options for residents of Short Hills, visit our Commuting page.

Parks & Recreation

The main park in Short Hills is Gero Park which sits adjacent to the town pool, Par 3 golf course and some of the township tennis courts. There is a small recreation center as well as ball fields, a basketball court, and a children’s playground.

Greenwood Gardens is a 28-acre public garden with an open-air pavilion, large mansion, and historic tea house. The Gardens host the History & Harvest Celebration each October and numerous workshops throughout the year. Another beautiful park facility is the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, which has a woodland garden, educational classes, and hands-on workshops in the Stone House Nature Center. The Arboretum also offers Citizens Science programs, after-school clubs, family programs, and fun events like the Annual Hot Chocolate Hike in December.

Around Town

Downtown Short Hills has a small collection of businesses which includes Brooklyn Pizza and the Boxcar Bar & Grill. Just down the road in Millburn, a local favorite, Millburn Deli, has served the local communities for 70 years and is known for its Gobbler and Godfadda sandwiches. Common Lot in downtown Millburn has upscale food and a variety of dining options including courtyard seating (weather permitting) and an upstairs Chef's Library. 

The town of Short Hills is often synonymous with the Mall at Short Hills. People drive from upstate New York just to shop and dine at the Mall. There are 150 upscale shops and several dining options including Legal Sea Foods and the Cheesecake Factory. There is also a “Very Important Pacers,” (VIP) walking program for people looking to exercise in a covered space. Registration is free and available at Guest Services.

Part of the Millburn Township, Short Hills residents also have access to all that Millburn has to offer including an array of recreation programs, the town pool, the Par 3 golf course, and many tennis courts. In warmer months, there are golf and swimming lessons available, spring and summer youth programs, a summer camp that meets at Gero Park, and an annual four-mile run that traverses the streets of Short Hills.