In addition to a spectacular view of the New York City skyline, the town of Montclair, New Jersey can make another impressive geographic boast: it arose from the ashes of a volcanic ridge, known today as the Watchung Mountains.

Perhaps it is that dormant firepower that makes Montclair such an attractive draw for co-op and condo owners seeking life in a suburban town with charm, convenience and affordable living that's still within a stone's throw of the big city. It's an alchemy that has made Montclair a consistently attractive destination for homeowners in recent years.

Where it All Began

The township of Montclair was originally settled in 1694 by Azariah Crane and his family, following on the heels of the founding of Newark, New Jersey by the English in 1666, according to the Montclair township website. Known as Cranetown, the settlement eventually evolved into what is now known as southern Montclair. In 1679, Dutch settlers acquired land from the Lenape Indians and in the early 1700s, Dutchman John Speer built a home that was soon followed by other Dutch settlements. Together, they formed Speertown, which would become the northern half of modern-day Montclair.

Because of its mountain ridge location, Montclair proved valuable to American troops during the Revolutionary War. Legend has it that both George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette visited the town briefly in 1780 and a boulder on the corner of Claremont Avenue and Valley Road marks the site of Washington's headquarters.

While Speertown's development was more gradual, Cranetown had grown into a small commercial center by the early 1800s. The creation of the Newark Pompton Turnpike, which came through Montclair as Bloomfield Avenue, helped increase commerce and gave the town its new name of West Bloomfield. The addition of a wool mill and the creation of the Morris Canal in 1831 also did wonders for the area's growing economy. With the inauguration of the Newark and Bloomfield Railroad Company's commuter service to West Bloomfield, the area became a destination for city dwellers seeking country excursions and others who decided to make the town their permanent home. In 1860, the town's residents lobbied for a new name, transforming West Bloomfield into Montclair.

Throughout the latter half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, thousands flocked to Montclair, including landscape painter George Inness who found the town's mountainside vistas irresistible. The town's population was a diverse one with New Englanders joined by southern African-Americans and European immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. According to the Montclair website, in a 50-year period from 1880 to 1930, more than 37,000 people moved to the town, boosting its population to 42,017. Following the Second World War, the community continued to flourish.

The Art of Living

Montclair has a distinctive personality all its own. While 38,658 individuals live within the township's 6.16 square mile borders, the Montclair of today retains much of its Revolutionary War-era charm and a pastoral quality enhanced by more than 17,000 shade trees. Residents also enjoy its proximity to New York City and the town's diverse architecture. "You see homes of different styles and eras," says Francesca Lanning, executive director of the Montclair Historical Society. "There's no cookie-cutter feel." Walking through the shopping district, "You'll see a Williams Sonoma or a Gap store housed in a historic building," Lanning adds. The end result is a town that seamlessly blends the past and the present.

Which is not to say Montclair is bereft of its own cosmopolitan air. Quite to the contrary, the town draws visitors from neighboring cities and towns in search of entertainment and cultural delights.

"Montclair offers a wide variety of cultural attractions," says Jim Neill of Raymond P. Marzulli Co. Inc., a Bloomfield-based realty firm that manages three condo communities in town, and about a dozen others in surrounding communities. "There's an art museum, an independent film theater, a dance company, restaurants. It draws a lot of people thinking of leaving the city and moving to the suburbs," says Neill, the firm's executive manager.

Montclair also draws a dynamic mix of age groups. Neill says that most of their property's residents tend to be young singles or newly married couples, Montclair is also attractive to families looking for a stable, desirable area to raise their children. With 22 public and private elementary, middle and high schools as well as two special education schools and two colleges, (Gibbs College and Montclair State University) the town has much to offer in terms of scholastic opportunity. In fact, Montclair's public school system ranks as one of the nation's oldest magnet systems and this past year, earned recognition as one of the top six magnet districts in the country by the U.S. Department of Education. As a magnet district, students are directed to schools not based on geography but on which school best suits their individual talents and needs. With 11 public elementary, middle and high schools, there are opportunities to nurture just about any interest, from science and technology to the arts. And for older students, Montclair State University offers a substantial curriculum as New Jersey's second largest university.

And with six train stations and several bus lines, Montclair offers easy access to all of the amenities enjoyed by city residents, but without the noise and congestion of a large metropolis.

For young people in search of entertainment, there's plenty to see and do in Montclair. Lanning believes that the town's cultural attractions lend it a great deal of appeal. "There's a thriving arts community here," she says. "And there's always something happening. You don't feel you have to go into the city to see a great show or have a good meal."

Those interested in the visual arts will find much to appreciate at the Montclair Art Museum, currently hosting an exhibition on pop-art master Roy Lichtenstein. Residents can satisfy their need for good music with clubs like Trumpets Restaurant and Jazz Club, which offers everything from Big Band music to guitar nights. Places like the Diva Lounge offer a swanky feel with eclectic cuisine and nightly music while restaurants like Nauna's Bella Casa draw family crowds in search of good food at good prices. Those with a yen for live theatre will find it with groups such as the 12 Miles West Theater Company and film fans will discover bliss on the big screen with a variety of movie theaters. And for history buffs, the town's historical society offers walking tours, home tours, garden visits and other events throughout the year.

In fact, Montclair's vibrant shopping and entertainment venues have created one of the town's few problems: not enough parking. "To come in and see some of the things in town, it used to sometimes be a problem finding parking," Neill says. Recently, however, the town opened two new parking garages that have eased the strain.

And if you can't find what you need in Montclair, the town is close enough to dozens of other small and not-so-small burghs, making it easy to zero in on whatever necessities and frivolities you may covet. West Orange, Verona and Glen Ridge are all nearby.

Moving to Montclair

If Montclair has peaked your curiosity and you wouldn't mind being neighbors with the likes of New York Giants' football star Michael Strahan, comedian Stephen Colbert, baseball legend Yogi Berra or astronaut Buzz Aldrin, there are plenty of housing opportunities available in Montclair.

And the good news is that, unlike much of the country right now, Montclair is a buyer's market. "This is a steady community," Neill says. "And the market is still pretty good, but it has slowed down a bit. It's not moving quite as rapidly as it has in the past."

In 2002, according to Coldwell-Banker, home sale prices ranged from $73,500 to $3 million, with an average price of $554,000. A two-bedroom condo downtown sells for about $420,000, a new townhome, nearly $500,000.

Neill's brokerage markets properties at three condo communities: Gateway Manor, James Court Condos and Montclair Court Condos. On average, a two-bedroom condo in Gateway Manor will sell for around $250,000. With a wide range of housing prices, Montclair offers an affordable option for those who find New York City prices too steep. "Montclair tends to be a stop for people before they move on to larger homes," Neill says.

Be forewarned, however: that stop can evolve into a life-long affection for a town that has drawn New Englanders into its midst for more than three centuries. With its long history, bright future and compelling present, Montclair has character and charm to spare. For residents intent on enjoying the quiet suburban lifestyle without sacrificing their proximity to the big city, this mountainside town with the spectacular view may just have it all.

Liz Lent is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to The New Jersey Cooperator.