The Teddy Bear Moving crew with their dogs, standing in front of branded Teddy Bear Moving trucks

Moving to Short Hills guide

4 min read

Movers carrying boxes into a home in New Jersey

Thinking about settling in Short Hills yet still unsure about the details that matter most? There is no reason to feel anxious, because we put together a few pointers to steer you in the right direction. The town will feel like unfamiliar ground at first, and it is completely normal to know very little about a spot you have not lived in yet. That is exactly why we want to lend a hand and help you get comfortable with the community well before the trucks pull up to your door. Read through what follows and you should feel ready when the day of your fresh start finally arrives.

Strong schools for families with children

If you are bringing kids along, their education is one thing you can cross off your worry list. The public school system is a genuine point of local pride. Within the Millburn Township School District you will find five elementary schools, a single middle school, and Millburn High School serving the older students. Worth noting too is that this high school earned recognition in both 2008 and 2010 as the top public school anywhere in the state.

Figures from the state Department of Education also show that a large share of Millburn graduates go on to earn spots at leading colleges and universities. In short, choosing this area for your family is hard to fault. If you have not yet lined up a dependable crew for the relocation itself, our local moving team is glad to make the transition simple and can handle a range of moving needs along the way.

A welcoming, mixed community

Among the best things to understand before you arrive is that Short Hills works a bit like a melting pot. Spend some time here and you will quickly see how many different backgrounds and ethnicities make up the population. That variety means you will feel right at home whether or not your roots trace back to this country. Neighbors tend to be warm and approachable, so striking up new friendships happens faster than you might expect. The same holds true for your children, who will likely build their own circle even quicker than you do, so there is little cause for concern on that front.

Homes here are genuinely impressive

One of the first things to catch your eye once you step into the neighborhood is the housing. This is a corner of New Jersey known for spacious, handsome properties paired with generous yards. Whether you are hunting for two, three, or four bedrooms, chances are good you will track down something that fits. Both you and the kids are likely to fall for whichever place you settle on.

Graduates throwing caps into the sky

For anyone relocating with a pet, an area like this makes an excellent landing spot. Do keep a close eye on what the classic colonial residences command, though. A three-bedroom house tends to run in the neighborhood of $599,000, while a five-bedroom can reach as high as $2 million. On the bright side, given how pricey the real estate is, the property taxes come across as fairly reasonable compared with what you might pay elsewhere.

What your daily commute looks like

Getting around on a workday is straightforward thanks to a reliable rail connection. Hop on a Midtown Direct train and the ride to Penn Station takes roughly 45 minutes each way. During the week the service runs from 5 to 9 in the morning and again from 5 to 9 in the evening. A monthly pass will set you back $233. Parking is available as well, with a resident permit priced at $300 for the full year or $200 for a six-month stretch. Roughly 300 spaces sit near the Short Hills station, though it is worth remembering that they tend to fill up in a hurry.

Attractions to enjoy after you move in

Putting down roots here comes with plenty of upsides, one being how easy it is to reach the area’s draws. Near the top of that list is the Mall at Short Hills. Every shopping trip is bound to be memorable when 160 stores are within reach. And if dining out at quality restaurants appeals to you, the town serves up a wide selection to choose from.

Suburban house at sunset sky

Have little ones at home? A visit to the zoo is likely to be a hit, where you can spot all sorts of wild animals and even hop aboard a train ride. Should science spark curiosity for you or the kids, set aside time for Thomas Edison National Historical Park. The site preserves both Edison’s laboratory and his home, giving visitors a firsthand look at where so much of his work happened.

Settling in with confidence

Adjusting to a brand-new place is rarely instant, but a few habits can smooth the path. Doing your homework ahead of time and learning about the community before you go a long way, and that is precisely what we set out to help with here. There are plenty of reasons to look forward to this town, and we have only touched on a handful of them. Once you are actually living here, you will find endless opportunities to explore on your own terms. When you are ready to plan the details, reach out to our team and take the leap with confidence, because this is a chance well worth embracing.

Leopard lying inside fenced cage

Planning a move? We can help

Free, no-obligation quote from our New Jersey team.

Related reading