Where do I go after I sell? A Guide to Upscale Rental Living in Essex, Union, and Morris Counties

For many longtime homeowners, the biggest obstacle to selling isn’t whether they want to move.

It’s the question that comes immediately afterward:

“Where do I go?”

And that question can stop an otherwise ready seller in their tracks.

But selling your home and choosing your next permanent home do not necessarily have to happen at the same time.

For some homeowners, particularly downsizers, renting for a year or two can be a very smart bridge between the two.

It gives you the ability to sell when the timing is right, simplify your life and take the pressure off having to immediately decide what comes next.

Maybe your eventual destination is a condo. A townhouse. A 55+ community. A second home. Another state.

You don’t necessarily have to know that answer today.

Why Rent After Selling?

A temporary rental can give you something enormously valuable after selling a longtime home:

Time and flexibility.

Renting may allow you to:

• Sell without making your next purchase contingent on finding the perfect home
• Take advantage of favorable market conditions
• Spend time deciding where you truly want to live next
• Reduce home maintenance and responsibility
• Stay close to family, friends, doctors and your existing community
• Try a more walkable or urban lifestyle before committing to it
• Avoid buying something simply because you feel pressured to make a decision

And today, renting does not necessarily mean sacrificing comfort, space or quality.

Throughout Essex, Union and Morris Counties, there are newer luxury buildings, spacious older apartment communities, townhome rentals and downtown residences that can work very well for someone transitioning out of a single-family home.

Here are some areas worth considering.

Livingston

For homeowners who want to sell but remain in Livingston, the rental market has become considerably more interesting.

Highgate at Livingston

A newer luxury community offering 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments along with a substantial amenity package.

Good fit for: Someone looking for newer construction, amenities and a polished apartment lifestyle while staying close to everything familiar.

Canterly Place

Another newer luxury option with modern residences and amenities.

Good fit for: Downsizers who want a turnkey, newer apartment without leaving Livingston.

The 545 at Livingston

One of the more interesting options for homeowners concerned about downsizing too dramatically. Some residences are considerably larger than the typical apartment.

Good fit for: Someone saying, “I can downsize, but I’m not ready to live in 900 square feet.”

Cider Mill Townhomes

A very different alternative: larger townhome-style rentals that feel more like living in a house.

Good fit for: Someone who wants to rent but isn’t quite ready for conventional apartment living.

The Livingston vibe:

Suburban, familiar and convenient. This is less about changing your lifestyle and more about simplifying it.

Summit

Summit may offer one of the most interesting mixes of rental housing in the area.

You can find newer luxury apartments, elegant prewar buildings, renovated garden communities and more residential townhome-style rentals.

The Beacon at Summit

Boutique luxury living close to downtown, restaurants, shopping and the Summit train station.

Good fit for: Someone who wants newer construction and walkability.

The Promenade at Summit

Newer, larger residences with a sophisticated, condo-like feel.

Good fit for: Downsizers looking for more space and a quieter luxury environment.

Worthington House

A completely different experience: gracious prewar architecture, high ceilings, large rooms and an elevator.

Good fit for: Someone coming out of a substantial home who values space and character more than rooftop lounges and resort amenities.

The Parc at Summit

An older community that has been significantly updated and offers a wide range of apartment sizes.

Good fit for: Someone looking for the combination of space, convenience and updated interiors.

Beechwood at Summit

Another established prewar option with larger rooms and a great location near downtown.

New England Village, Berkshire Gardens and Spring Hill

These offer more residential, garden or townhome-style environments.

Good fit for: Someone who wants more greenery and space and cares less about living directly downtown.

The Summit vibe:

Probably one of the best choices for someone who wants to experiment with a more walkable lifestyle without giving up a sophisticated suburban environment.

Millburn & Short Hills

The rental inventory here is more limited, particularly in Short Hills itself.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t options, but the market tends to be smaller and more boutique.

Harth in Millburn

A newer luxury building in downtown Millburn with upscale residences and amenities.

The location is a major attraction: downtown shopping, dining and the train are all close by.

Good fit for: A Millburn or Short Hills homeowner who wants to remain in the community but experience a much more walkable, lower-maintenance lifestyle.

The Upton Short Hills

The Upton is an upscale rental community located at 1 Fineran Way in Short Hills, just about half a mile from The Mall at Short Hills. It offers elegant one-and two-bedroom residences in a location that is particularly convenient for shopping, dining, and access to Routes 24 and 78. Current listings include larger two-bedroom residences, with some asking rents in the upper luxury range.  For a downsizer who wants to remain in Short Hills itself, rather than moving into downtown Millburn, or another neighboring town, The Upton is an important option to know about.

Good fit for: Someone who wants a luxury rental, easy access to The Mall at Short Hills, and a highly convenient suburban Short Hills location.

Short Hills itself has relatively few large purpose-built apartment communities. Rentals are more likely to consist of individual condos, townhouses or single-family homes.

The Millburn vibe:

Upscale and walkable, with the advantage of remaining very close to the Short Hills community.

Chatham

Chatham offers a quieter rental experience than Summit or Morristown, but the addition of newer luxury options has made it increasingly attractive for downsizers who want to remain in a charming suburban setting.

The Ivy at Chatham

One of Chatham's newest luxury rental communities, The Ivy brings a much more contemporary, resort-style option to the local rental market. The residences include one, two, and two bedroom plus den layouts, with high ceilings, oversized windows, quartz countertops, luxury plank flooring, custom closet storage, and in-unit washers and dryers. The community also offers more than 34,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor amenity space. For a homeowner coming out of a larger home, the Ivy may be particularly appealing with the quieter, more residential feel of Chatham.

Good fit for: Renters seeking true luxury apartment living with modern amenities in a calm, suburban environment rather than a busy downtown setting.

Buildings such as Jackson House Apartments, Spring Brook at Chatham, Cardinal Hill, Chatham on Main and Chatham Arms provide a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom choices.

Good fit for: Someone who wants to stay in a charming suburban setting without needing a large amenity-driven complex.

The Chatham vibe:

Comfortable, low-key and residential.

Madison

Madison is worth serious consideration for downsizers.

Its downtown is highly appealing, and the rental market offers both newer luxury options and smaller boutique properties.

Madison Mall on Main

A newer luxury building offering modern apartments, elevator access and amenities right on Main Street.

Rose Hall

Another option offering a variety of apartment sizes.

There are also smaller boutique rentals scattered through the downtown area.

Good fit for: Someone who wants walkability, restaurants, coffee shops and a charming downtown but prefers something quieter and smaller-scale than Morristown.

The Madison vibe:

Charming, walkable and relaxed.

Florham Park

Florham Park works especially well for someone who wants to downsize without necessarily feeling like they are moving into an apartment building.

AVE Florham Park

An upscale community offering both traditional leases and furnished residences.

The furnished option can be particularly helpful for someone who wants a very flexible transition after selling.

Avalon Townhome Collection

Offers more house-like rental living, including larger floor plans.

Sun Valley at Florham Park

Private entrances, parking and townhome-style layouts make this especially appealing to former homeowners.

Good fit for: Someone who wants more space, a garage or private entrance and a suburban environment.

The Florham Park vibe:

Low-maintenance living without giving up the feeling of having your own space.

Morristown

Morristown offers something very different from the other towns on this list.

It can be a true lifestyle change.

There are numerous newer rental buildings, including communities such as:

• Sofi at Morristown Station
• Modera 55
• Chancery Square
• The Flats @ 85
• Franklin Manor
• Hamilton Court

For someone leaving a large suburban home, Morristown offers the chance to walk to dinner, coffee, shopping, entertainment and the train.

Good fit for: Someone thinking, “Maybe I’m ready to live differently.”

The Morristown vibe:

Active, social and highly walkable.

Which Rental Lifestyle Sounds Like You?

If your priority is walkability, start with: Summit, Madison, Millburn or Morristown

If you want new luxury and amenities, consider: Livingston, Morristown or Florham Park

If you’re worried about giving up too much space: Livingston and Summit offer some particularly interesting larger residences.

If you want something that still feels more like a house: Florham Park and Livingston have strong townhome-style options.

If you love classic architecture and larger prewar rooms: Summit stands out.

If you want restaurants, activity and a social scene outside your door: Morristown is probably the strongest choice.

If you simply want to stay close to your existing community while you figure out what comes next:

There may be no reason to leave your immediate area at all.

You Don’t Have to Make Every Decision at Once

One of the biggest misconceptions about downsizing is that you need to have your entire next chapter figured out before you put your house on the market.

You don’t.

There is a difference between selling because you already know exactly where you are going and selling because the timing is right for you to sell.

Sometimes a carefully chosen rental is what connects those two decisions.

It can give you breathing room, flexibility and the ability to make your next purchase thoughtfully rather than under pressure.

And after owning a home for 20, 30 or even 40 years, that flexibility can be incredibly valuable.

Thinking about downsizing but unsure what comes next?

That conversation doesn’t have to begin with putting your house on the market. Sometimes it simply begins with understanding your options.