westfield news Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Westfield Named in Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ 2020

July 31, 2020 by Scott Gleason

There are so many things to love about our fair city. Great food options. Lots of shopping. And we always help others in whatever way possible. So it should be no surprise that Westfield ranked in the Top 10 of Niche.com’s Best Places to Live in NJ for 2020.

Niche.com ranked Westfield #9 in its Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ List for 2020 and #6 on its Best Suburbs to Live in NJ 2020.

Westfield Among Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ

At #9, Westfield was the top-rated Union County city in New Jersey to make Niche.com’s list. The only other Union County city on the list was New Providence. That makes three years in a row that Niche.com bestowed this honor upon Westfield. Our real estate market has seen an increase in buyer demand even with COVID-19.

Niche.com bases their rankings on 12 different factors. These include public schools, jobs, health and fitness, outdoor activities, nightlife, and whether it’s a good place for families. All of these received “A” grades, with public schools, health, and fitness, and good for families receiving an A+ each. Commute time, housing, crime and safety, diversity, and weather all received “B” grades.

The majority of Westfield residents own their homes. This shows in how well-maintained our properties are. That shows a pride of ownership. The city offers a wide variety of restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops as well as parks. Its easy commute into the City makes it a fantastic option for workers who desire a more suburban home life. (It’s also #6 on Niche.com’s Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey 2020, too.)

Best Places to Live in New Jersey 2020

#1 – Princeton
#2 – Princeton Junction
#3 – Upper Montclair
#4 – Ridgewood
#5 – Mountain Lakes
#6 – Princeton Meadows
#7 – Springdale
#8 – Monmouth Junction
#9 – Westfield
#10 – New Providence

If you’d like to purchase a Westfield home, contact me. I’d be happy to show you everything this town has to offer.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Best Ways to See Comet Neowise in Westfield

July 17, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Politics. Religion. The Patriots. We all have different opinions about these subjects. However, I believe I found something that we can all agree on: the majesty of the night sky. This weekend, Mother Nature puts on a celestial display unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the last 20+ years: Comet Neowise. Your best opportunity to see the comet in Westfield happens this weekend before and after the Westfield Virtual Pizza Run.

If you want to see the brightest comet in the sky since Hale-Bopp in 1997, look up to the skies above Westfield this weekend and watch Comet Neowise rise above.

How to See Comet Neowise in Westfield

Comet Neowise first came on NASA’s “radar” on March 27th, 2020. But in the past few days, people all over the world searched the night skies to see what kind of performance it would put on for them. This Saturday and Sunday evenings mark the best nights to see the comet in New Jersey. Fortunately, the weatherman predicts crystal clear skies. It is said to be the brightest comet since Hale-Bopp in 1997. So, you’re not going to want to miss it.

Where to Look

NASA says that your best chance to see the comet in all its glory is to focus on an area away from city lights. Find a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Make sure you have your binoculars or telescope ready. Once the sun goes down, look to the northwest, just below the Big Dipper. For the last month, people reported the best views of the comet taking place approximately an hour before sunrise. Right now, sunrise in Westfield happens around 5:45 am.

Safety Precautions

Just last week, Mayor Brindle announced several new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Westfield. This happened after a blissful two weeks of no new cases being reported. Several of these positive cases appeared to have come from teenagers attending a local party. In response, the mayor strongly urges residents to avoid gathering with people you don’t live with to help staunch any community spread. If you do plan a comet watch party, maintain a safe six foot space and wear your face masks.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Virtual 5k to Feed Frontline Workers

May 15, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Do you remember the Freshman 15 in college? Well, some of us seem to be reliving our college days. They call it the “quarantine 15”. How have you spent your “stay at home” order? Streaming movies and binging on comfort food? Those pounds sneak up fast. Out Run Your Fork wants to motivate you to get some exercise while helping feel our frontline workers. They organized a Westfield Virtual 5k set over Memorial Day weekend. Are you up for the challenge?

Get off the couch and help Out Run Your Fork raise money to feed our local healthcare workers by participating in their first Westfield Virtual 5k.

What: Westfield Virtual 5k
Where: You Set Your Own Course
When: Sunday, May 24th, anytime
Cost: Free registration, $15 donation per person preferred
Contact: Out Run Your Fork (973) 348-9898

Westfield Virtual 5k

Like any other physical 5k, you can run or walk your way through the virtual 5k course. You still must actually physically complete the entire 5k. However, you decide when and where to do it in Westfield on May 24th. Remember to continue practicing social distancing from others as well.

Out Run Your Fork plans on using the money raised from this 5k and other fundraisers they have planned to purchase food from local restaurants to feed our healthcare workers. They sit on the frontline in this battle against COVID-19. Long hours giving aid to the sick usually mean a quick lunch on the go for many. With Out Run’s initiative, they help feed the frontline workers and keep local restaurants in business at the same time.

How to Register

It costs nothing to register for the virtual 5K. But they prefer a $15 donation per person. The goal is to raise at least $10,000 to feed our healthcare workers. So, please be as generous as you can. Visit the Westfield Virtual 5K event website to sign up. Get your entire family off the couch for this fun 5k. Out Run Your Fork plans on giving away a free 28-day personal training program to one lucky person who participates. That could be you. Good luck and thank you.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Clothing Drive for AGAPE Community Kitchen

May 8, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Expect to see cold, wet weather this weekend. It might not be the best time for yard work or projects to boost your curb appeal. But, forget the binge-watching for a moment. Instead, tackle some spring cleaning chores by clearing out your closet. Then, bag up your stuff for our local Presbyterian Church’s Westfield Clothing Drive. Money raised from the sale of donated items benefits the church’s AGAPE Community Kitchen program.

Do some spring cleaning at your house this weekend and help those less fortunate by donating your gently used clothing, linens, stuffed animals, and accessories to the Westfield Clothing Drive for AGAPE Community Kitchen on May 17th-20th, 2020.

What: Westfield Clothing Drive
Where: Presbyterian Church in Westfield (140 Mountain Ave)
When: May 17th to 21st
Contact: Janet Smith, Event Coordinator via email

Westfield Clothing Drive

Towards the end of March, the Presbyterian Church in Westfield followed the same protocols put in place for restaurants. They suspended their weekly Wednesday dinner program due to public health concerns from COVID-19. As of the writing of this post, the kitchen remains closed. However, when officials OK their reopening, they plan on firing up the grill and serving hot meals again.

To get ready for their reopening, they are hosting a clothing drive. What do clothes have to do with feeding hungry people? The money raised from the sale of your donated items helps the kitchen purchase food to feed these hungry people. All you have to do is bag up your gently used clothing, bedding, pillows, towels, shoes, curtains, ties, belts, and even stuffed animals that your children outgrew or don’t use anymore. Bring these bags down to the church between March 17th and 21st. Toss them into the white van with the church’s name on the side located in the parking lot. Volunteers handle the rest. Practice safe social distancing while helping your less fortunate neighbors.

AGAPE Community Kitchen

The Presbyterian Church in Westfield’s AGAPE program actually takes place in nearby Elizabeth. Volunteers meet every Wednesday afternoon in the Westfield church’s parking at 3:15 pm. The church’s van shuttles these wonderful volunteers to the kitchen in Elizabeth where they prepare a delicious hot meal for dinner guests. They end up back in Westfield around 7:30 pm every week. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the church. Students in grades 6-12 may also sign up to volunteer.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Conservation Center Opens…With Limitations

April 17, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Are you practicing good social distancing techniques? With many of us spending more and more time at home lately, we seem to find the time now to tackle those projects around that house that we put off for so long. Maybe you attempted to increase your curb appeal. Or you used your time to do some spring cleaning. In either case, your trash cans might be overflowing at the moment. If you need to bring trash to the dump, you’re in luck. The Westfield Conservation Center recently opened back up to the public. However, for now, they only accept trash on Thursdays and Fridays.

Have you been using your free time to tackle your spring cleaning or completing home improvement projects? You can now bring your trash from these efforts to the Westfield Conservation Center.

Westfield Conservation Center

The City recognizes a need for the conservation center to open back up. But they also want to keep their workers safe by practicing social distancing. To do so, they must stagger their shifts. Yesterday (April 16th), the center opened its doors back up to the public. But people found themselves waiting in long lines to get in. A few hours in, the City suspended their online sales of dumping permits. About an hour before closing, cars thinned out enough to allow online sales to continue.

For the foreseeable future, Westfield Conservation Center hours for residential dumping are restricted to Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 2:30 pm. They temporarily put food waste, plastic toys, household bulk waste, and mattress drop-offs on hold. But all other recycling can still be dropped off for free.

How to Get a Permit

With limited staffing in place, you may only buy your annual permit online. It costs $60 for the year. Be aware, however. In times of high volume at the center, the City may temporarily suspend sales of permits online. Just check back later in the day to see if they become available again (like they did on opening day). Once you pay for and print your permit, make sure you keep your paper copy with you to show the staff at the center. For a complete list of acceptable recyclable materials for free drop-off, please visit the Westfield Conservation Center’s website here.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes