Westfield is a town in Union County with about 31,000 residents as of the 2020 Census. Its downtown grew up around a commuter rail line to New York, and today the Raritan Valley Line still stops right in the center of town. Add a walkable business district, a growing list of historic districts and a major downtown redevelopment plan, and there's a lot to weigh. Here's what to know before you make a move in Westfield.

Why People Choose Westfield

The train station and the downtown are tied together. The station sits at South Avenue and Summit Avenue, a short walk from the shops, restaurants and offices that line the central business district. Downtown is managed by the Downtown Westfield Corporation. The state's Historic Trust describes it as a nineteenth-century commercial corridor that retains much of its original character.

Westfield also takes its history seriously. The town has a Historic Preservation Commission, a historic preservation element in its master plan, and a local historical society that runs two house museums on Mountain Avenue. Anyone planning renovations should understand those rules early.

Getting Around: Commuting from Westfield

• Train: NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line stops at Westfield station, between North and South Avenues at the foot of Summit Avenue. Trains run toward Newark Penn Station; check NJ Transit for current direct service to New York Penn Station.
• Station parking: Several municipal and NJ Transit lots offer daily and permit parking; some permits are resident-only.
• Bus: NJ Transit Route 113 serves Westfield with trips toward New York, and Route 59 runs through town toward Newark. Confirm current schedules before relying on a bus commute.
• Car: Route 28 runs through town alongside the railroad. U.S. Route 22 is reached via Lawrence, Mountain or Springfield Avenues, and the Garden State Parkway is close by at Exits 135 and 137.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Westfield is mostly an owner-occupied town. Census figures put the owner-occupied rate at about 80 percent, and single-family homes make up much of what comes up for sale.

Several parts of town carry historic recognition. According to the town's historic preservation master plan element:

• Kimball Avenue Historic District: Westfield's locally designated historic district, under the oversight of the Historic Preservation Commission. The town has also moved to designate properties on Dudley Avenue, which would form a second local district.
• Stoneleigh Park Historic District: Recognized at the state and national levels, though not locally designated.
• Local landmarks: 23 individually designated properties, four of which are also on the State and National Registers.
• Identified areas: The plan flags 12 potential historic districts, including the downtown, and more than 300 individual properties that could be eligible for designation.

New housing is planned downtown. The town has approved a redevelopment plan for the former Lord & Taylor store on North Avenue and nearby commuter lots that calls for about 205 homes, a mix of apartments, townhomes and lofts, along with office space and a new town square near the station. We'll keep you updated as it moves forward.

Buying a Home in Westfield

Most buyers here are looking at single-family homes, many of them older. If you find a two-to-four family property and you're using an FHA loan, you can buy it with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units, and rent from the other units can help cover the mortgage.

Before you make an offer, we help you check:

• Older-home inspections: Pay close attention to the roof, heating system, electrical service, plumbing, foundation and any older oil tank.
• Historic status: Find out whether the home is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, because exterior changes may need Historic Preservation Commission review.
• Flood hazard areas: Westfield has flood hazard areas along local streams, including Robinsons Branch and tributaries near Mindowaskin Park, and the town has its own floodplain ordinance. We check FEMA flood maps and insurance needs for every property.
• Condo and townhome documents: For attached homes, review fees, reserves, rules and any special assessments.
• Property taxes: We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering, so your budget reflects the real carrying cost.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your Westfield Home

A home near the station, a house in a historic district and a single-family farther out each draw different buyers. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, then market your home across the MLS and every major online channel. If your home is a designated landmark or in a historic district, have any past approvals and permit records ready, because buyers will ask about them.

Renting and Investing in Westfield

With most homes owner-occupied, Westfield's rental market is smaller than in many nearby towns. We help renters find a home that fits their budget and commute, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants.

For investors, the main opportunities are smaller multi-unit properties and rentals within reach of the station. Before you buy, we'll help you look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance, flood exposure and condition so the numbers work from day one.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Downtown Westfield, the walkable business district around the train station, managed by the Downtown Westfield Corporation
• Westfield Fire Headquarters on North Avenue West, a 1911 building listed on the historic registers
• Miller-Cory House Museum on Mountain Avenue, a 1740 farmhouse with docent-led tours and open-hearth cooking demonstrations
• Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center at 314 Mountain Avenue, home of the Westfield Historical Society
• Westfield Memorial Library at 550 East Broad Street
• Mindowaskin Park, a town park near downtown, and Tamaques Park
• Lenape Park, a Union County park shared with Cranford, Kenilworth, Springfield and Union, with trails and fields
• Echo Lake Park, a Union County park just over the line in Mountainside
• Public schools: Westfield Public Schools, including Westfield High School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Westfield with nearby towns? Read our guides to Cranford, Garwood, Scotch Plains and Mountainside, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Westfield.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.