Our town specialists are residents from various NJ communities who are ready and waiting to speak with you about your town(s) of interest. Our town specialists are friendly, outgoing, and excited to give you the lowdown so you feel prepared to make one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make.
Contact laura.deutsch@sothebysrealty.com to speak with one of our town specialists.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey, Lisa has loved living in North Jersey since 2011 (although she will always call it pork roll, and not Taylor Ham!). Lisa and her husband first lived in Summit, but when it came time to expand their family they began to look in the Caldwells. The towns drew them in because of their charm, great local amenities, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback they received from friends already living in the area.
Lisa has taught at the Gould School (grades 4-6) in North Caldwell for over ten years. She taught 5th grade math for several years, before taking her current role as the technology teacher for all grades. She is also currently enrolled (online) at Caldwell University, working toward her supervisor and principal certification.
Lisa is the mother of two young boys, which keeps her busy with playdates, sporting events, and a variety of other extracurricular activities. Outside of motherhood and education, Lisa and her husband love to try out new restaurants up and down Bloomfield Avenue, frequent and support Grover Cleveland Park, and visit friends and family across the state of New Jersey!
Megan lives in Chatham, NJ with her husband and 2 sons. Along with their bearded dragon, Robert. Megan and her husband, Steve moved to Chatham in 2014 PRE kids from Hoboken. It was a scary move but now she never looks back!
Chatham is super convenient to NYC - it's along the train line. It has a cute downtown with ice cream shops, pizza parlors and little shops - a perfect town to raise kids!
After Megan's first was born (he's now 5), she decided to leave her NYC job and start her own company. This is when Megan Pisano Design was created in 2018. MPD is a full service interior design firm based in Chatham. Originally working part time in her spare bedroom in 2018 she is now full time with an employee and a studio in downtown Chatham. Give her a follow on instagram!
Jenn moved to Closter, NJ from the Upper East Side in June of 2020. When the world shut down that spring, Jenn and her husband found out that the Upper East Side apartment they had been renting had been suddenly sold. She was faced with the difficult choice of deciding where to relocate her family. A native New Yorker, Jenn spent the last 12 years working and living in Manhattan and was hesitant to leave. She landed in Northern Bergen County and has found this new chapter to be even better than she ever imagined.
After 3 years of living in Closter with a now 2 and 5 year old, Jenn loves the community she has become an active part of. The natural beauty along with the amazing schools and the convenience of shopping and restaurants make Closter a special place. The close proximity to the city was an important factor for Jenn’s family and they love being just a short 16 minute drive to the George Washington Bridge.
Jenn is passionate about helping people and has spent her career as a high school guidance counselor. More recently, she has spent her time as a full time mom with her adorable son and daughter. Her family enjoys visiting parks, playgrounds, and ice cream shops all around Bergen County!
Born and raised in Bergen County, Lisa has lived in Fair Lawn most of her life. After a few years living in neighboring towns, Lisa and her husband, Scott chose an iconic Fair Lawn brick cape cod as the place to start their family. Having gone through the Fair Lawn school system, Lisa knew firsthand what the district had to offer by way of education and needing the convenience of a local train line into NYC made Fair Lawn the perfect fit for them.
Lisa is the proud mom of two teenagers who she proudly boasts attend her alma mater, FLHS. She is the president of the high school PTA and the Fair Lawn PTA Council. She works for the borough as their Age-Friendly Coordinator, bringing resources and programming to older adults, and providing students with opportunities to give back through her youth volunteer corps. Fairlawn for All Ages
When they are not traveling around the country visiting major league ballparks, Lisa and her family love the local restaurant scene in FL and are often seen with their kids having a burger “on the porch” at The Dutch House Tavern or breakfast at the diner around the corner. They love that their house is walking distance from everything they need - restaurants, the library, the bank, farmers market, coffee shops and oh those Fair Lawn bagels – they’re THE best!
Rachel moved to Glen Rock, NJ from midtown Manhattan in 2014 with her husband, puppy, and 3 month old son. Having grown up in Bergen County, NJ, she and her husband spent months narrowing down the ”just right” town for them to raise their newly growing family.
Rachel's older children attend the public school and her youngest child attends preschool at the Glen Rock Jewish Center. Rachel’s husband commutes daily to work in Manhattan from Glen Rock. With 2 train lines and an express bus as transportation options, he finds that the commute is always quick and seamless!
Rachel works as a Camp Specialist and connects families with sleep away camp, speciality camps, teen tours, and service trips. Previously, Rachel was an elementary school teacher for both general education and special education. Working with children and their families has always been her passion.
In her free time Rachel enjoys watching reality tv, listening to podcasts, visiting the local playgrounds with her kids, gardening, and cheering her children on at their sports! She also loves that she gets to volunteer in the schools and is always thrilled to be “class mom”!
Laura loved living right on the Hudson River with beautiful NYC views and easy commute to Manhattan. However, with a toddler in tow and a baby on the way, her family was outgrowing their space and they began a search for a larger home in the suburbs. They landed in Livingston and have been happy raising three kids (now teens!) there for the past 15 years.
Laura's family has enjoyed the strong Livingston public schools and Laura has found it easy to be an active volunteer in the school community. During after school hours, her family can be found on the town's sports fields, nearby dance classes, or a local movie theater...and always making time for Frutta Bowl for a smoothie or acai bowl!
Professionally, Laura's desire to serve others has led to a private counseling practice focused on mental health support for mothers and caregivers. Laura knows that we can not give what we do not have and if we want calm, compassion, and resilience for our children, then we must learn how to embody those qualities in our own lives. Learn more on her website, Zen Den Wellness
Victoria relocated to Madison, NJ from the Upper East Side back in 2008. She is a mom of two teenagers and married to her husband Tyler for 20+ years. They decided to make the move west when Victoria's company at the time (The New York Jets) relocated all of their business and team ops to NJ alongside the build of The NYJ Atlantic Health Training FAcility and also MetLife Stadium.
Today her teens attend the public schools in Madison and enjoy all that Madison and the neighboring towns have to offer. Currently her kids are determined to find the best "BEC" (Bacon, Egg and Cheese) and "THEC" (Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese) Jersey breakfast traditions.
Professionally, Victoria is passionate about business. She is a marketing executive advising brands strategically and enjoys working in tech. She is passionate about networking and advocating on women's health issues. Outside of work she is devoted to Pilates, kids sports, cooking, and walking along the beautiful trails and parks within a mile of her home.
Hi, I'm Jordan. I am a native New Yorker, CBT Coach and mom to 10 year old twins Avery & Olivia. In June 2021 my husband Erik and I moved from the West Village to Maplewood and became first time home owners. We were reluctant to leave the city, but knew it was time. Our criteria for where to move was specific: easy commute to the city, great school system, culturally diverse, politically progressive, and a charming town with an "urban feel".
Essentially, we wanted a place where we could have all of the advantages of a suburb without having to give up our identity as New Yorkers. Maplewood was the answer.
Living in Maplewood, Erik has an easy commute to Chelsea each day, less than 40 minutes. I relocated my coaching practice, Catalyst4Change Coaching, from co-working space to a beautiful home office. Our kids, who had shared a small room their whole lives, now have their own rooms, which for pre-pre teens, is essential.
As a family we enjoy participating in the town's local events such as Maplewoodstock, chili cook offs, art festivals and the annual Turkey Trot. We have found our community and are loving all that Maplewood has to offer!
Carrie moved to Montclair in 1999 from the Upper West Side of NYC. She raised her 2 children in town, from pre-school through high school, in the public school system - and remains an active member of the community. She loves the highly diverse, inclusive community that offers many cultural, culinary and outdoor activities. There is something for everyone in Montclair!
During the 23 years that Carrie has lived in Montclair, she often commuted weekdays to NYC by train (and occasional bus). Returning to town to participate in classroom activities, or in recent years to catch her sons tennis match and/or to pick up her daughter from rowing practice, was never a problem - since the city is a mere 13 miles away!
After 30+ years working for global consulting firms, Carrie narrowed her focus to the work she deeply loves - coaching executives and rising leaders. She and her husband are supportors of the Montclair Jazz Festival and Jazz House Kids, as well as several other cultural and/or children focused non-profits. In her free time, she enjoys time in the great outdoors and floral arranging.
Megan lives in Morristown with her husband, two daughters, and her fourteen- year-old cat, Candy Corn. She moved to Morristown six years ago when her oldest daughter was ready to start school. She knew she wanted to move to a place that had a thriving downtown, easy access to NYC, and a diverse school
system. Morristown checked all those boxes, and the way residents helped each other and local businesses during the pandemic reiterated what she already knew—that this community is really a hidden gem.
The best part about Morristown is there is always something to do! Morristown is home to food truck festivals, a great Farmer’s Market, the Morris Museum, Fosterfields living agricultural farm, and arguably the best dining hub in NJ.
When not working in public service, Megan can be found catching a show at the Morristown Performing Arts Center, trying a new recipe, or watching her daughter’s soccer games.
Hello! My name is Amy Beba and I am a longtime resident of Morristown, a dedicated public school and community volunteer, and a mom of twins who has a deep love for the town and its rich history. My enthusiasm for all that Morristown has to offer is contagious, and I am eager to share my knowledge and insights with others.
I love Morristown because it is a charming town that offers visitors and residents alike plenty of wonderful things to explore. History buffs can visit the Morristown National Historical Park, which played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. Nature lovers can take in the beauty of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum or explore the Morris County Parks Commission's park system. Art enthusiasts can visit the Morris Museum, which has a vast collection of exhibits and educational programs.
Additionally, Morristown has a vibrant downtown area with a variety of dining options, boutique shops, and entertainment venues. Whether you're looking for cultural attractions or outdoor activities, Morristown has something to offer everyone, and I am proud to share its unique character with visitors and residents alike.
While born and raised all over Union County, Allie and her husband decided to start their family in New Providence where they have resided for the past 7 years with their daughter, toy Pomeranian and 2 cats they rescued from St Hubert’s during the pandemic.
Allie and her husband both grew up in very large towns, so it was important to find a nice middle class town with a small town feel. Also, Allie needed convenience since she was commuting back and forth for work to NYC. They love walking downtown to the restaurants and never have to worry about parking!
With her love and passion for music, in 2019, Allie started teaching baby music and movement classes (with her toddler at the time) with friends and neighbors on the weekends, which quickly expanded to birthday parties, Zumba kids dance classes and more! In 2021, she opened up her own studio, Zumbini with Allie, in New Providence. Zumbini with Allie is a children’s music, dance & craft studio for Ages 0-12 and is a very unique place for families in the Greater New Providence area. Come check it out!
Unlike many people moving from the city to the suburbs, Allison Goldfarb was already very familiar with the commute from NYC, and after doing it for 10 years, knew it was time to make the move. She has been teaching in North Caldwell, NJ for 14 years and consistently sees a friendly, welcoming vibe from families in town. She has always called North Caldwell a "hidden gem." Since being part of the community has been such an incredible experience, she knew this was the place she wanted to raise her family.
Allison loves being part of this community both as a teacher and a mom. Allison is in a "group text message chat" with 18 other moms who have similar aged kids. It is quite rare to move to a town where in such a short amount of time, she's developed many friendships with like-minded people!
In addition to Allison's career as an educator, she owns her own small business Memory Lane Montages where she specializes in creating professional video montages for special events such as bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, retirements, and milestone events.
Allison's greatest pride and joy is her family. Her husband, who commutes daily into downtown NYC, says he loves calling North Caldwell home. Her two children, now 4 and 2, attend nursery school at a local temple, and she's excited for the day they become part of the North Caldwell school district.
Andrea relocated back to her hometown area after finding out she was pregnant with her third child in 2017. Andrea grew up in the neighboring town of Roseland, while her husband grew up in North Caldwell. Both are graduates of West Essex High School. The couple decided to move back to the area to be closer to family.
Andrea has been an educator for the last 17 years, so finding a town with a superb education system was a priority for her family. Today Andrea’s children are 5, 8, and 10 and attend the public schools in North Caldwell. Her family is involved in many community activities and are active participants in the recreation and travel sports programs in town.
In her spare time, Andrea enjoys running, attending Alpha fit classes and going to her children’s sporting events. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and traveling to Cape May every summer.
Jessica moved to River Vale from Manhattan's Upper East Side in October of 2019 with her husband and 16 month old son. The decision to leave NYC and all that it had to offer was hard, but when they learned they were expecting baby #2 they realized they needed more space and wanted a backyard for the kids. Since Jessica had been reverse commuting to Bergen County for many years, it was a no brainer that they would settle nearby.
It's been almost 4 years since her family moved. Jessica now has a son about to start Kindergarten and a 3 year old daughter. She has become extremely involved in her community from participating in her town's First Friends playgroup to becoming a Parent Connector for the JCC of Bergen County planning playdates and meetups for parents and children in the Pascack Valley.
Jessica and her family travels into Manhattan frequently visiting friends, museums and some of her favorite restaurants. Jessica is a special education teacher and in her spare time works as a Camp Specialist connecting children to day camps, sleepaway camps, specialty camps and travel programs. She loves getting to know families and matching them with camps that fit their needs. Sleepaway camp was a magical place for Jessica and she loves seeing others find their special place.
Hi! My name is Raquel and my family and I moved to Roseland, NJ in 2012 when my kids were 2 & 3 years old for the school system, safety, peace and tranquility of suburban life. My husband of 15 years started his own business in Northern, NJ, and I assist him in running it.
We really enjoy the small-town feel, strong recreational sports programs and close-knit community. From an early age, my kids were able to ride their bikes around the neighborhood, go to the park or enjoy the many hiking trails with their friends. In the suburbs, you can really foster your child’s love for the outdoors.
Roseland has an excellent recreational department with many events and programs for kids, families, and adults. There is really something for everyone. Our small school has some of the most caring teachers. They really get to know the students very well, which facilitates learning. For middle and high school, kids attend one of NJ’s top schools, West Essex Regional.
As a parent, there are many opportunities to be involved with your child’s education. Through town events, it is easy to get to know your neighbors and families with similar age kids. Roseland is a very tight-knit community and an excellent town to raise a family!
Joy moved to Short Hills in 2002 from Hoboken, NJ. Knowing she and her husband, Seth, would eventually have kids Joy searched for the ideal town to raise a family and found that in Short Hills. Joy now has two daughters, Ava and Lyla, and loves that Short Hills/Millburn offers her family the convenience of a direct train line to New York City, access to excellent schools, a strong sense of community and high quality of life.
After spending 15 years in the NYC fashion industry Joy quit the corporate world in 2010 to spend more time with her two young girls. She now runs her own business as a Stylist for a custom menswear company, J. Hilburn, which allows her a flexible work schedule around her kid’s activities. Joy loves all the different people she meets while styling her clients and her passion is helping them look good and feel confident! Check out her website here.
In her spare time Joy loves playing tennis, taking barre classes and being a soccer mom. She enjoys traveling (preferably to a warm weather destination with a beach), spending time with friends and family, and never turns down a glass of wine.
Lurie has lived in Westfield for 15 years, moving here when her three daughters were still very young. She survived the NYC preschool admissions process and made her way across bridges and tunnels permanently when her oldest daughter was 4.
She spent many years living and working in New York City, as a staff reporter and an editor for a major consumer electronics magazine, before switching to freelance writing so she could stay home with her girls.
Originally from suburban New Jersey, Lurie and her family chose Westfield because of its superb school system, beautiful homes and its fabulous walking downtown, making the shift from NYC to the suburbs much easier! Having lived, worked and played in New Jersey, her knowledge of the Garden State is vast, and she knows just what makes the state so attractive to new homebuyers.
Lurie is a former journalist who loves surfing real estate listings for fun. She enjoys planning vacations for friends and family when not driving her 15-year-old twin daughters around town and to their many activities. Lurie also has a 19-year-old daughter in her first year of college at American University where she’s majoring in theater performance.
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