Montclair

Montclair is one of the city’s historic districts (it was originally incorporated in 1888 as a suburb). Its leafy streets are defined by stately Victorian and Queen Anne–style homes, plus mid-century ranches and Tudor Revivals, on larger than usual lots. Commerce is concentrated around the neighborhood’s edges, and there’s a true families-will-like-it-here vibe, with a community garden, three pocket parks, and decent bike lanes for exploring or commuting to the central city. Clearly, people are heeding Montclair’s call: Home prices were up 19 percent year-over-year—the fourth-biggest jump in the city.