Most people look for information on places to live from real estate agencies and websites, and both are authoritative sources for real estate values, transactions, and market insight. But, what do you do when you get there?

There’s no better resource for navigating the practical details of moving day than commercial or residential movers. The New Jersey movers who work for Optimum Moving have been all over the NJ Tri-State area and know the ins and outs of every neighborhood. This convenient moving-day guide offers real-world advice on the best places to know if you’re moving to Essex County, New Jersey.

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Where it’s at.

Essex County, NJ, reaches from Newark, Nutley, and East Orange in the east to Livingston and West Caldwell in the west, and then stretches from Fairfield down to Maplewood and Irvington.

Fans of the award-winning HBO series The Sopranos may have recurring déjà vu when driving around because the county provided a lot of filming locations for the highly acclaimed show. Junior’s house is in Newark, the Green Grove nursing home is in West Orange, and Tony Soprano’s famous home is in North Caldwell.

The eastern part of the county tends to be more urbanized and highly populated. However, there are widespread areas of stable, middle-class families living a suburban lifestyle.

In the western half of the county, more suburban and affluent lifestyles prevail. Also the most diverse and racially integrated region, neighborhoods in these municipalities traditionally draw New Yorkers ready to leave the city.

Hungry?

All twenty-two municipalities that make up Essex County offer an amazing assortment of places to eat. Take your time finding your favorite spots in your new area. To get you off your phone and out the door, here’s a shortlist of places to eat and craft beer breweries you need to go to now that you’re local.

Raymond’s in Montclair, NJ, is a time warp back to a boxcar diner when Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller, and Jimmy Dorsey ruled the Billboard charts. There’s been a line for brunch since before Montclair was a magnet for New Yorkers, and you can always hear the local gossip, enjoy a newspaper at the counter, and meet new friends.

Millburn Delicatessen in Millburn, NJ, has been slinging sandwiches for more than 70 years and featured in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Everything is fresh and homemade, and on the right days you can smell the steak grilling and the turkey roasting. And there’s delivery!

Magnify Brewing Company in Fairfield, NJ, offers four year-round beers, in addition to experimental small-batches regularly. The brewery has a tasting room open Wednesday through Sunday. Head brewer Erich Carrle has a pedigree from KelSo of Brooklyn, Almanac, and Speakeasy Ales & Lagers.

Cricket Hill Brewery in Fairfield, NJ, has been bringing craft beer in New Jersey since 2001. Head brewer Mark Tilley worked his way up to brewer at Long Trail Brewing Company before joining Cricket Hill. Check out what he’s brewing here. Tours and tastings happen Monday through Saturday.

Need gas and more?

If you’re off the highway, there are Delta gas stations in Maplewood, West Orange, and Orange, NJ. You can get fuel for your vehicle, auto repair and maintenance, and snacks and drinks.

Many more can be found with these gas station finders:

• Sunoco
• Exxon

No one typically thinks to research towing service providers when they move, which is why we did and included the results here. If you break down or need auto repair services, here’s a short list of help at your fingertips:

Twin Towing in Belleville and West Orange, NJ, has been providing travelers with towing, roadside service, diagnostics, trailer repair, and hauling for four decades. It is a contracted 24-hour tower for the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Rte. 80 and 280, and several municipalities.

E.C.R.B. (Essex County Recovery Bureau, Inc.) in Bloomfield, NJ, offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance by uniformed drivers experienced and certified in AAA, Wreckmasters, and TRAA. It is a contracted tower for AAA, The New Jersey State Police, and several police departments in Essex County.

Hardware and home repair

Whether you’re a renter or a forward-thinking homeowner who renovated before moving in, there’s always going to be something to fix or upgrade . . . it’s a home! Fortunately, there are a lot of options for home improvement in Morris County.

There’s a Home Depot in Newark and Bloomfield.

Prad’s Hardware in East Orange, NJ, is now in Brick Church Commons. From paint, plumbing, and electrical to hardware, tools, garden, and houseware—you’ll find it here.

Schneider Hardware in West Orange, NJ, has been a family-run business since 1923. This full-service hardware store offers everything you need to repair and maintain your home—especially if it’s an older building. Need a repair on a door, window, or piece of equipment? Is your lawnmower blade dull? Bring it here!

At the end of the day . . . go relax

The Essex County Department of Parks is the first county park system in the nation and offers twenty-four parks, recreation facilities, golf courses, cultural and historic resources, and much more. Discover playgrounds, a Cherry Blossom Festival, free summer concerts, Turtle Back Zoo, an ice arena, Treetop Adventure Course, and much more!

If you’re idea of relaxing is more urban, head to Newark. The city is a major transportation hub because of Newark Liberty International Airport, but locals know there’s a lot to stay for. The New Jersey Historical Society is a non-profit historical museum, library, and archives, which showcases the largest and finest collection of New Jersey-related material in existence. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a famous French Gothic cathedral known for its stained glass and music program, including a full concert series and weekly half-hour concerts at noon on Wednesdays. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is the world-class performing arts center former-governor Thomas H. Kean envisioned for New Jersey, where great performances and events transform every day.