South Orange

South Orange is located in Essex County and offers direct train service to New York Penn Station in about 35 minutes which makes it very popular with those that need to commute every day. It is one of the few remaining towns in the area that still operate gas powered street lamps. There is a central business district with your local Starbucks and Seton Hall University is located on the border near West Orange. 

The South Orange Performing Arts Center is located next to the train station and hosts many concerts, plays and other events. There is also a symphony that plays several times a year and a The Baird Center offers many other cultural events and Art Exhibits. South Orange has a town community pool open to all residents. The South Orange River Greenway is currently under construction. This will be a promenade for bicyclists and pedestrians that will connect part of South Orange with Maplewood. 

The township shares a common school system, the South Orange-Maplewood School District, with the adjacent town of Maplewood. Students attend Columbia High School (located in Maplewood, nearly on the border of the two towns), two middle schools and five elementary schools, serving over 7000 children in total. Columbia High School has been recognized as top 100 communities for Music Education 4 years in a row.

New York Times Article 2011