Is Mountainside safe?
Mountainside, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Mountainside as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Mountainside
“Go. Mountainside is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and affluent suburban borough in Union County. Visitors coming for outdoor recreation, local dining, or family visits will encounter virtually no violent crime and very low safety risks at any hour.”
About the area
Bordering the scenic Watchung Reservation, Mountainside is a leafy residential community defined by well-kept single-family homes and a busy commercial corridor along Route 22. It offers a tranquil, park-like environment with easy access to regional nature centers and neighboring downtown hubs.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Wooded / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Mountainside
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no public bike-share programs, but cyclists enjoy dedicated multi-use trails and gravel paths throughout the adjacent Watchung Reservation.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent crime and personal offenses
- High median household income exceeding $175,000 with near-zero poverty
- Direct access to extensive outdoor recreation in the 2,000-acre Watchung Reservation
Cons
- High-speed, divided highway traffic along Route 22 creates hazardous pedestrian crossings
- Car dependency with limited sidewalk infrastructure on many residential roads
- Suburban vulnerability to occasional regional property and vehicle theft patterns
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Mountainside. There are no tent encampments or public panhandling, with regional support shelters located in nearby urban centers like Plainfield and Elizabeth.
What Mountainside is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with residents walking dogs and joggers navigating quiet, tree-lined residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and entirely safe throughout residential areas and nature reservations, with steady commercial traffic along Route 22.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet throughout the borough with dining traffic concentrated along highway plazas; walking remains very safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low-activity and peaceful, though some wooded side streets are dark and require caution regarding local wildlife.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes 114 and 117 provide direct service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan along Route 22, while the nearest NJ Transit commuter rail stations are located 2 to 3 miles south in Westfield and Cranford.
Parking is abundant and free across retail plazas, community facilities, and park trailheads, though municipal overnight on-street parking rules apply.
Things to do in Mountainside
- Explore interactive wildlife exhibits and trails at Trailside Nature & Science Center
- Tour the historic buildings and wooded grounds of the Deserted Village of Feltville
- Walk, fish, or visit the dog park at nearby Echo Lake Park
Local favorites
- Trailside Nature & Science Center · Nature Center · 4.7★ (1150)Union County environmental center featuring interactive wildlife exhibits, gardens, and nature trails.
- Spanish Tavern · Spanish Restaurant · 4.5★ (1380)Long-running upscale venue serving authentic paella, tapas, and sangria with old-world charm.
- Echo Tap & Grille · American Gastropub · 4.4★ (760)Casual neighborhood gathering spot offering craft beers, burgers, and comfort food along Route 22.
Neighborhoods near Mountainside
Common questions about Mountainside
Is Mountainside safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Mountainside a good place to live?
On safety, Mountainside scores 92/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Mountainside?
Walk score 34/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Mountainside are safer?
New Providence (NJ) (95), Westfield (NJ) (94), Overlook (Summit) (93) score higher nearby.
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