Welcome to Verona
Quiet, traditional values just beyond New York City.
Less than 20 miles from Manhattan, Verona is a vibrant close-knit community where residents enjoy extra elbow room, rolling hills, and cozy, traditional, well-priced homes. Verona boasts a high number of parks, reservations, and golf clubs, providing many opportunities for fresh air and quiet relaxation. Locally owned and operated delicatessens, gourmet grocers, and cafes are plentiful, bringing a vibrant touch of life to this otherwise quiet gem of Essex County.
Populated long ago by settlers from nearby Newark, the community previously went by several names before a referendum was passed to officially declare Verona as its own individual township. Today, Verona is one of New Jersey’s true gems, having been named as the best community to call home in Essex County by New Jersey Monthly, and the third-best in the state.
What to Love
- Winner of many awards, naming Verona one of the best places to reside in New Jersey
- Close proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport and Manhattan
- Several convenient public transportation options (jitney to Montclair-NYC train)
- Rolling hills, green parks, fall foliage, and beautiful springtime blooms
- Gourmet grocers, mom-and-pop eateries, and local boutiques
Quick Links
Transportation
Veona residents who have to commute to work in Manhattan when they aren’t working from home use the montclair’s NJ Transit Line train stations that bring you directly into Penn Station to make commutes into the city simple. Boxcar is a private bus service offering “business class” transportation into NYC with multiple stops in the city from midtown west to the Upper East Side. Effective September 2, NJ TRANSIT the former West Essex/West Hudson will now have their own bus routes to and from Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT).
Local Lifestyle, Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
Having been named as one of the best communities in the state, Verona is known for traditional values, high-performing schools, easy commutes to New York, and several other local entertainment options. Golf, tennis, hiking in the nearby Eagle Rock Reservation Preserve and local country clubs are popular destinations on the weekends, as are the several boutiques and shops along Bloomfield Avenue. Wine bars, coffee shops, and cafes are also plentiful. Overall, life in Verona is one of quiet convenience, living in the company of friendly neighbors.
Spanning back several generations, the best burger and coldest beer in town can be found at Verona Inn. This longtime neighborhood sports bar is the perfect place to catch the big game with an extensive beer list, daily specials like Taco Tuesday and Sunday Funday, and a wide selection of craft burgers.
Lakeside Deli has been serving the community of Verona for over 50 years, offering on-site and to-go dining options. Perfect for a picnic in one of Verona’s several parks, Lakeside Deli serves hot subs, cool sandwiches, salads, wraps, diner classics, and more, in both single and family-style portions. DO NOT MISS The Sloppy Joes.
For cooking at home, a stop at Olive That & More is vital. Olive oils, vinegar, seasonings, and other elevated pantry staples can be found within this award-winning gourmet grocer, guaranteed to step up any dinner prepared at home.
Locally owned boutiques and businesses are plentiful, providing an individualized shopping experience for all. At Vintage Alley you will find fun trends from the past. Home decor from yesteryear can be found nearby at Home Sweet Home on Bloomfield Avenue. Crystal chandeliers, antique trinkets, restored furniture, and other handcrafted delights await where the selection is ever-changing, with something waiting to make your own Home Sweet Home even more personal.
Gypsy Farmhouse is another fantastic shopping site for eclectic and old-fashioned furniture, farm tables and hutches. An awesome variety of European decor, Amish furniture, farmhouse style, and garden accessories are found in the brightly colored roadside gem on the northeastern side of town. The perfect partner for new finds from Gypsy Farmhouse is a bouquet of fresh flowers from Blooms in Hand. This full-service florist will not only cater to your special occasions, but is also the best place in town to pop in and find a fresh bundle of roses, peonies, and more.
Things To Do
Verona is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor sites in Essex County. The Eagle Rock Reservation bordering Montclair, West Orange and Verona is a 408-acre reserve and park with scenic trails and views. At the top of the hill, hikers are rewarded with an expansive view of the Manhattan skyline. Verona is home to several other secluded green spaces as well. Kip’s Castle is a fun visit to a gilded-age mansion, on the southern end of Grove Avenue, Grove Park is one of the newer additions to Verona’s outdoor scene. A historic site consists of a paved walking path and benches to enjoy the fall foliage and springtime blooms. Located on the second mountain sits Hilltop Reserve, a peaceful spot wedged between Verona, Caldwell and Cedar Grove with paths that take you through the reserve’s ridgeline. A larger site for scenery is Verona Park, sitting on just over 50 acres with a lake, boathouse for events, paddle boarding, and fishing. The nearby Montclair Golf Club is a favorite members-only club with multiple golf courses, aquatic facilities, tennis, social events, and delicious on-site dining and cocktails.
Schools
Verona residents send their children to some of the best schools in the state. Verona Public Schools, prekindergarten-12th grade; according to Niche.com, this district spends over $21,000 per student, nearly double the national average.
Private School Options include:
- Newark Academy, grades 6-12; Newark Academy offers the International Baccalaureate program, several honors courses, advanced placement programs, and dozens of extracurricular options
- Seton Hall Prep
- Kent Place School, kindergarten-12th grade; this private all-girls school has been named as the best all-girls school in New Jersey, the third-best overall private school, and fourth-best private college preparatory school by Niche.com
- Montclair Kimberley Academy, prekindergarten-12th grade; one of the best private schools in the region boasts a staggeringly low student-teacher ratio, above-average scores on college entrance exams, and is highly rated on several of Niche.com’s rankings
