Orange, NJ. Not East Orange. Not South Orange. Not West Orange. Just plain Orange. I give this explanation often. It's because I live here. I was working on a project and decided to move here. I met a really talented young woman who lived in the Valley Arts District. She became a part of the arts community with her writing talent and created a local blog. She stole my heart as she spent the day with me giving me a tour, treating me as a long lost friend rather than a stranger, and providing me with insights.
Several articles have been written touting neighborhoods in Essex County, NJ as the new home for Brooklyn residents. They mostly focus on Maplewood, Montclair and South Orange.
Just plain Orange has a lot to offer. It's only a 30 Minute Commute to NYC along NJ Transit. 15 Minutes and you're at Newark Airport. Quite frankly, you can be almost anywhere in 15 minutes. In less than an hour, you can be down the shore. Or enjoying one of the NJ Lakes. Or skiing.
If you want to stay in Orange, there are some cool places to visit. Outside of Brooklyn, there are few places to get pizza on par with Star Tavern. If you want a serious old school Italian fix, head over to John's Market for a parm sandwich. It's an experience you won't forget. How often do get to eat off a paper plate at a folding chair and table with a roll of paper towels? And if your belly isn't too full, hit up Just Like Nonna's for a little dessert. Wanna sit down for your Italian? Get your fancy on at Bella Italia or Libretti's.
Hat City is all the buzz, good reason as there is lots of live music and a great menu. If you want to watch the latest game and enjoy the best wings in town, you need to head to Reddz.
There is also a great selection of Latin American and Caribbean cuisines in the area. El Salvador is known for its pupusas as well as whole fish and other traditional dishes. Delicious Honduran food in a small, bright and cheery family-owned environment can be found at Sabor. There is a great little take-away spot called SunSplash with Jamaican food and a few vegetarian options. There are also a few good small, grocery stores if you prefer to cook Caribbean delights at home. One is called Joe's Market and it is right on Main Street.
A couple other cool things about Orange, the public library was designed by McKim, Mead & White. Oh, and the city council is largely led by strong women.