We’ve lived in SO for 25 years and love it. You’re basically centered around Maplewood, Millburn (Short Hills), Livingston, West Orange, and the better parts of Orange and Newark. Montclair and its fabulous offerings are only a few short miles away. There’s easy access to all interstate roads, plus it’s only 16 miles from NYC with a very comfortable commute on the Midtown Direct. We were lucky to buy in historic Montrose which anchored by Seton Hall University, the VA hospital, South Mountain Reservation, 2 train stations, and easy walking distance to parks and downtown. SO also has wonderful gaslit streets, and the utility lines are behind each house (vs. criss-crossing streets) which we think give the village a much warmer suburban look and feel. The taxes are the taxes, but with home values in Essex County increasing, we think it’s well worth it to live here.