Mountainside Borough is an attractive, residential community featuring an abundance of trees and a hilly terrain that clarifies the meaning of its name. Single-family homes dominate the housing selection, most of which are beautiful, well-kept older homes on expansive lots. The downtown retail center is complemented by several major malls within a 10-minute drive, and residents enjoy good highway access to amenities in surrounding urban centers. Recreational attractions in the borough and nearby include a fitness trail, Echo Park, Watchung Reservation, Surprise Lake, athletic fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, private clubs, senior programs, and supervised recreational programs.