Welcome to South Orange!

            As Village President and on behalf of the Board of Trustees and Village Staff, I want to welcome you to South Orange and our brand new Village website.  If you are already a resident, then you are probably aware of many, but likely not all, of the things that make South Orange such a special community; a Village not just in name, but in spirit. 

If you don’t live here yet, but are planning a visit or thinking of moving here, I want to take this opportunity to invite you to explore our community and our new website to learn more about this extraordinary Village that we call home.

South Orange: City Sense, Village Vibe.  This catchy phrase, coined by our very own South Orange Village Center Alliance, succinctly captures the essence of South Orange.  In our up and coming, thriving downtown, residents and visitors can enjoy the “City Sense” of our great restaurants, unique award winning shops, essential services, a gourmet grocery and our world class South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC).   As one of New Jersey’s inaugural Transit Villages, our historic South Orange Train Station offers 30 minute Midtown Direct train trips to the heart of New York City and Newark’s Liberty International Airport is only a 15 minute drive away.  South Orange is also home to Seton Hall University, nationally recognized for academic excellence and home of the 2016 Big East Men’s Basketball Champions!

At the same time, within just a few steps of our downtown, you can truly feel the “Village Vibe”.   A short walk from downtown leads to our River Greenway, amazing parks and public places, our Village pools and tennis courts, and our Recreation and Cultural Center at the Baird.  Walk just a little further and you can explore our amazing neighborhoods featuring historic homes, neighborhood parks and some of the friendliest people you will meet.  A few more steps and you will find Essex County’s 2,100+ acre South Mountain Reservation with hiking trails, a dog park and scenic vistas.

Once you live here you will discover abundant opportunities to enjoy active and social recreational activities and endless artistic and cultural outlets, clubs and exhibitions.  Our Downtown Concerts after Dark, Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park and countless special events throughout the year offer entertainment opportunities for the whole family.  Together with our partner Maplewood, the South Orange/Maplewood community is recognized nationally for its diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming all; truly a Village.  I invite you to join us in calling South Orange home.

South Orange:  City Sense, Village Vibe….our way of life.

                                                            Sheena C. Collum, Village President.