NJ Counties We Cover — The Jorge Ramirez Group
County-level real estate market guides for the six New Jersey counties Jorge Ramirez serves: Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, and Union.
Jorge's day-to-day coverage spans 138 towns across these six counties — the corridor most people picture when they think of a NJ commute to New York or Newark. Each county has its own personality, price band, and buyer profile. Below is a quick read on each, plus a link into its full town-by-town breakdown.
Essex County
Essex is where NJ's top-tier suburbs and the state's densest urban markets sit side by side. Millburn/Short Hills, Montclair, Maplewood, and South Orange lead the market — top schools, Midtown Direct trains, and price points that mirror upmarket NYC neighborhoods. Buyers here are typically families relocating from NYC for schools and space, and lifestyle-driven professionals who still want a 40-minute rail commute.
Representative towns: Millburn · Short Hills · Montclair · Maplewood · South Orange · Livingston · West Orange · Verona · Glen Ridge
Hudson County
Hudson is the urban-lifestyle end of Jorge's coverage — condos and townhouses over single-family, PATH and ferry over rail. Hoboken and downtown Jersey City compete directly with Manhattan on walkability and nightlife at a meaningful discount. Buyers here are typically young professionals, first-time buyers priced out of Brooklyn, and investors looking at rental yields.
Representative towns: Hoboken · Jersey City · Weehawken · Union City · West New York · Bayonne
Middlesex County
Middlesex is the value corridor — big lots, good schools in specific pockets (Metuchen, Highland Park, East Brunswick), and price-per-square-foot 20–30% below comparable Union or Essex towns. Northeast Corridor and NJ Transit access to Newark and NYC keeps it commutable. Buyers here are typically first-time families, downsizers looking for one-floor living, and buyers relocating from more expensive counties without leaving the state.
Representative towns: Metuchen · Edison · Highland Park · East Brunswick · Woodbridge · South Plainfield · Piscataway
Morris County
Morris is where buyers go for more house, more land, and a slightly quieter feel while staying on the Midtown Direct. Chatham and Madison are the flagship school towns; Morristown offers walkable downtown living with a train station. Further west, Mendham, Chester, and Long Valley get you real acreage. Buyers here are typically families upgrading to their forever-home phase and NYC exiles who want a real yard.
Representative towns: Chatham · Madison · Morristown · Florham Park · Mendham · Chester · Long Valley · Denville
Somerset County
Somerset is the county where corporate-campus commuters and family buyers overlap. Bernards Township (Basking Ridge) consistently ranks near the top of NJ school lists; Bernardsville and Far Hills carry an equestrian, low-density character. Buyers here are typically pharma and finance executives working I-78/I-287, and families willing to trade rail proximity for lot size and top schools.
Representative towns: Bernardsville · Basking Ridge · Bridgewater · Far Hills · Peapack-Gladstone · Warren
Union County
Union is Jorge's home county and the center of gravity for his practice. Summit and Westfield anchor the top end (Midtown Direct, top-rated schools, strong price appreciation); Cranford, New Providence, and Berkeley Heights sit a step down with better inventory and value. Roselle Park and Kenilworth offer starter-home price points still inside the commuter belt. Buyers here span the full range — first-time to luxury — because the county itself does.
Representative towns: Summit · Westfield · Cranford · New Providence · Berkeley Heights · Roselle Park · Kenilworth · Scotch Plains · Fanwood
Not sure which county fits? The fastest path is to work backward from your commute and school priorities — that usually narrows six counties down to two. Send Jorge a quick message with what you're trying to accomplish, and he'll send back a shortlist tailored to your specifics. Or call directly at 908-317-3227.