Chatham NJ | Best Place to Live in US

Chatham NJ – Named “Best Place in US to Live” with Top Area Schools

Chatham NJ is a charming, family focused town located twenty-five miles west of New York City on the eastern edge of Morris County. It is convenient to NYC – just 40 minutes to NY’s Penn Station on the Midtown Direct train – as well as to the many Fortune 500 businesses that are headquartered in the vicinity. And according to a US News survey, Chatham NJ’s Public School system is the best in the area, and 7th in the State.

Chatham Borough and Chatham Township

Chatham NJ Real Estate actually is comprised of Chatham Borough and Chatham Township - although the two share the outstanding public schools.

The 2.3-mile-square borough has a village feel with stately older homes. The he 9.1-mile-square township offers a wide variety of single-family homes, garden apartments and condominiums.

People love living in Chatham NJ. Chatham families are committed and involved. CNN recently named Chatham as one of the Top Places to live in the US. The Chatham regional school system ranks second in all of New Jersey. And its academic reputation is enhanced given the proximity of Fairleigh Dickinson University and Drew University in nearby Madison NJ.

Chatham indeed has a wonderful small town charm while convenient to everything. I enjoy gardening and landscaping, for example, and there is no better nursery than Chatham’s ‘The Farm.’ I shop there often, both for seasonal landscaping projects and for my year round staples, shrubs and perennials. Local shopping in Chatham generally is eclectic and quaint, but bolstered by the nearby stylish Short Hills Mall.

Chatham Dining Out

And on special occasions or on “date night,” I head to Chatham’s Serenade restaurant, opened over a decade ago by celebrated chief James Laird. This French Continental restaurant with seasonal fare is considered one of New Jersey’s top five places to dine. I love it. And when I fail to get a reservation, I still go and eat at the bar. Its fun to chat with my Chatham neighbors over such amazing food.

Other more casual favorites include the Best Little Luncheonette and the Meyersville luncheonette… Hickory Tree Deli will not disappoint.

Recreation.

Chatham offers a wide range of recreational and sporting activities. I am especially fond of The Chatham Club. Both of my kids learned to play squash here, and now are playing on college squash teams. Chatham Club’s Geoff Mitchell is the best. He runs the youth program and encouraged them to compete in US squash tournaments. Squash has been a transformative experience for my kids and a sport for life. And as a golfer, I head to nearby Canoe Brook Country Club or to Baltusrol when I want to play a round, both are top ranked US golf courses. Somerset Hills Golf Club also is nearby.

During the summer there is no place more enjoyable than the Noe Pond Club. Generations of families have learned to swim, dive, and play tennis/paddle there. So many of my friends’ kids “started” their careers at Noe, working as lifeguards, tennis pros and just mentors. Here is the Noe Pond Club link.

And if you are tempted to move to Chatham or move up, here are the latest Chatham listings. We update daily, so check here often.

Chatham Public and Private Schools

US News and World Report just published their annual survey on leading US public schools. Chatham placed tops in this area, with nearly 63% of students passing advanced placement exams. Below is a list of all schools in Chatham:

Data provided by

See more information on Chatham schools from Education.com

Public {6}
Private {4}
Early Childhood Program/Day Care Center {1}
Special Education {1}

Public Schools in Chatham, NJ

6 Public Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Chatham High School Phone: (973) 635-9075 255 Lafayette Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	9-12	1109	16
Chatham Middle School Phone: (973) 635-7200 480 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	6-8	958	16
Lafayette Elementary School Phone: (973) 635-8694 221 Lafayette Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	4-5	612	18
Milton Ave Elementary School Phone: (973) 635-0851 16 Milton Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	K-3	358	22
Southern Boulvard School Phone: (973) 635-5450 192 Southern Blvd, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	K-3	497	20
Washington Ave Elementary School Phone: (973) 635-8962 102 Washington Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928	Public	K-3	454	23

Private Schools in Chatham, NJ

4 Private Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Chatham Day School Phone: (973) 410-0400 700 Shunpike Rd, Chatham, NJ 07928	Private	PK,K-8	140	7
Eclc Of New Jersey Phone: (973) 635-1700 21 Lum Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928	Private, Special Education	UG	226	8
St Patrick School Phone: (973) 635-4623 45 Chatham St, Chatham, NJ 07928	Private	PK,K-8	368	12
Sprout House Phone: (973) 635-9658 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928	Private, Early Childhood Program/Day Care Center	PK,K	8	8