Location | Commute

Chatham commuters can travel to NY via New Jersey Transit by two different train lines: The Morristown Line and The Gladstone Branch line. The Morristown Line, also known as the "Midtown Direct", provides direct service to Penn Station with a commute time of about 45 minutes. The Gladstone Branch line provides 2 direct trains into Penn Station and service to Hoboken with a connection to Manhattan via PATH, Light Rail or Ferry access.

Chatham is about 25 miles northwest of Lower Manhattan, with an easy drive of around 45 minutes with easy access to major commuter routes, such as Routes 24 & 287, Interstate 78 (Holland Tunnel), Garden State Turnpike, and NJ Turnpike.

Chatham Schools

Chatham Borough and Chatham Township held elections in November 1986 to join their separate school districts, the proposal was supported by the voters of both municipalities and they now share the School District of the Chathams. The District is a top rated, public school district with 4,093 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. Niche rated Chatham the #6 school district in New Jersey.

The school district consists of 6 schools including four elementary schools: Milton Avenue School & Southern Boulevard School (grades K – 3), Washington Avenue School & Lafayette School (grades 4 & 5); Chatham Middle School (grades 6-8); and Chatham High School (grades 9-12).

Activities | Recreation | Arts

In the Chathams, recreation is a priority. Memorial Park Pool is open seasonally, which is also home to four fields, two with artificial turf. Town programs in each community are robust and offer a variety of event, celebrations and opportunities to get involved for residents of all ages.

Many private pool and tennis clubs can be found in the Chathams for those searching for a smaller community to join for summer sports. These include Noe Pond, Colony Pool Club, Chatham Fish and Game, Minisink Swim and Tennis Club and Fairmont Country Club.

In addition to the vast book collection, the Library of the Chathams has a variety of programming for seniors, adults and children. Services include meeting room access, reference resources, story time, guest speakers, museum passes, on-site technology, notary service, loaner iPads, and access to surrounding library resources and amenities.

The Chatham Community Players, a nonprofit local theater group, has been entertaining local audiences since 1922. The Chatham Players have mounted hundreds of productions in their 90+ year history.

Dining & Shopping

At only 2.4 square miles, the borough, with an old-fashioned Main Street lined with mom-and-pop shops, is highly desirable. Chatham takes pride in its small businesses, many of which have old-fashioned signs. A building that dates back to the 18th century, at 63 Main Street, is home to the Italian restaurant, Scalini Fedeli, a popular destination for dining connoisseurs’. Downtown is also home to another well-known dining spot, Restaurant Serenade and Liberty Drug and Surgical, a pharmacy, has an ice cream counter that recalls the 1950s.

The Mall at Short Hills, with several department stores and many high-end shops, is mere minutes away.

A weekly farmer’s market is held Saturdays beginning in late June and makes fresh produce and artisanal good accessible from surrounding areas and farms. Residents who prefer to grow their own produce can join the Chatham Community Garden and purchase plot(s) for just $10 to $35.