Livingston

Nestled in the Foothills of the Watchung Mountains

Livingston encompasses a 14-square mile radius and is located a mere 27 miles outside of New York City. With a convenient location at the foothills of the Watchung Mountains, Livingston features well-kept homes and family-oriented neighborhoods. Winding streets line this graceful town, and the character of Livingston is evident the moment you enter it. New York City is easily accessible, and it's one of the main reasons people choose to live in Livingston. The town contains only single-family homes with varied architecture that includes sprawling contemporary homes and ranches to the modest Cape Cod.

Like its neighbors, the Township of Livingston has a significant history that dates back to the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The first school was built in the area in 1783 and the community members filed to become a township in 1811. Named after the first governor of New Jersey, William Livingston, the town was established in 1813.

In 2004, Livingston was featured in an article in the New York Times, If You're Thinking of Living In/Livingston N.J.; On Stagecoach Route, a Commuter Haven.

With an overall A+ rating in Niche, Livingston has highly-rated schools and is ranked #3 in the Best Places to Live in Essex County:

Livingston’s public school system has consistently been recognized for its excellence, and its schools rank among the best schools in New Jersey. The district has a large public school system with six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. In the Livingston Public Schools – Strategic Plan for  2016-2021, the Board of Education outlines its commitment to a research-based, college preparatory curriculum, teaching excellence, and engaging both student and parent in the learning process.

In the most recent US News & World Report High School Rankings, Livingston High School was ranked #19 in the state and #438 nationally. In addition, the high school was also rated #185 for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) High Schools. There is an impressive 99% graduation rate for the high school as well as 78% participation in Advanced Placement tests.

For complete information on the Livingston public schools, visit the district website and our schools page.      

Quick Links:

Commuting To and From Livingston

Livingston does not have a stop on the Midtown Direct train line but does offer commuters several bus options to the New York City Port Authority bus terminal or Newark Penn Station. Buses to Manhattan take approximately an hour, depending on the time of day. There is also easy access to major highways for residents looking to drive into Manhattan. With light traffic, commuters can take I-78 East and be in the City in 45 minutes. 

In the summer of 2017, a bus service called OurBus announced a private bus option from Livingston to midtown Manhattan. OurBus offers custom pick-up locations, WiFi, and charging ports for commuters looking to work on the way to the office.

For more specific information on commuting from Livingston, New Jersey, see our commuting page.

Parks & Recreation

The Livingston Oval has a well-known walking track, and on a nice day, it attracts walkers and joggers. In the center of the Oval are ball fields, and along the perimeter, you will see Livingston High School, the 911 Memorial, and the public library. Littell's Pond nearby offers seasonal ice-skating, and beautiful Prospect Park has 29 acres of winding trails and paths used by residents for hiking and biking. 

A unique, community favorite, the Riker Hill Art Park showcases work by artists, craftsmen, and sculptors. Previously used by the US Army, the buildings of the 42-acre park once used as barracks now house artist studios. Riker Hill connects to Dinosaur Park, where the smallest dinosaur tracks on record were discovered and Becker Park. 

If skating is your passion, there's always the Livingston Skate Park for skateboarders, inline skaters and off-road bikers. The Livingston park system also includes community pools, numerous softball and baseball diamonds and tennis courts.  

Around Town

For great shopping, look no further than the Livingston Mall,  which has large retail chains and a selection of specialty boutiques. There is a food court and a large Barnes & Noble bookstore for people that still like to peruse the shelves for a good read. For a more personal touch, choose from any of the small shops that exist within the town which include dress shops, men's clothing, and speciality stores like Meyer's Dolls Toys Hobbies. 

Foodies have plenty to choose from in Livingston. A brunch favorite is Sweet Basil's Cafe and for an excellent New Jersey diner, there is the well-known Livingston Diner. Along Northfield Avenue, you will find Livingston Bagel, a local favorite with a wide selection of bagels, cakes, and deli foods. Just a mile or so down the road is the South Mountain Recreation Complex with McLoone's Boathouse and an array of family-friendly activities like the Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena for ice skating and a treetop adventure course.