A Local Realtor’s Guide for Buyers Relocating to the Area
Welcome to Central New Jersey! Whether you’re moving from another state or another part of New Jersey, understanding the area can feel overwhelming at first. Every town has a different personality, commute, school system, housing stock, and price point.
Having helped buyers relocate to Central New Jersey since 2002, I’ve put together this guide to help you get started.
Why People Move to Central New Jersey
Many buyers choose Central New Jersey because it offers:
- Convenient access to New York City and Philadelphia
- Strong public schools in many communities
- Diverse housing options
- Parks, recreation, and cultural activities
- Access to major highways and public transportation
- A mix of suburban neighborhoods and walkable downtowns
Understanding the Geography
One of the first challenges for newcomers is understanding how the area fits together.
Central New Jersey generally includes parts of:
- Middlesex County
- Somerset County
- Union County
- Mercer County
- Hunterdon County
Popular relocation destinations include:
- Metuchen
- Edison
- Piscataway
- Bridgewater
- Hillsborough
- South Brunswick
- North Brunswick
- Cranford
- Westfield
- Scotch Plains
- Fanwood
Commuting to New York City
Many residents work in Manhattan.
Popular commuting options include:
NJ Transit Train
- Metuchen
- Edison
- Metropark
- Rahway
- Cranford
- Westfield
Bus Service
Available from many communities throughout Central Jersey.
Major Highways
- New Jersey Turnpike
- Garden State Parkway
- Interstate 287
- Route 1
- Route 18
- Route 27
Understanding New Jersey Property Taxes
One surprise for many out-of-state buyers is New Jersey property taxes.
Taxes vary significantly from town to town and can affect affordability just as much as the purchase price.
When comparing homes, it’s important to look at:
- Purchase price
- Property taxes
- Commuting costs
- Maintenance costs
Housing Styles You’ll Find
Colonial
One of the most popular home styles in Central New Jersey, a Colonial features two or more full stories with a traditional layout.
How to recognize it:
- Two-story design.
- Front door is usually centered on the front of the home.
- Living room, dining room, kitchen, and family room are typically on the first floor.
- Bedrooms are usually located on the second floor.
- Often has a symmetrical appearance from the street.
Popular because:
- Clear separation between living and sleeping areas.
- Efficient use of space.
- Traditional layout that appeals to many buyers.
Ranch
A ranch home offers single-floor living, with all main rooms located on one level.
How to recognize it:
- One-story design.
- Long, low profile.
- Bedrooms, kitchen, living areas, and bathrooms are all on the main floor.
- Often includes an attached garage.
- May have a basement for additional storage or living space.
Popular because:
- No daily stair climbing.
- Easy accessibility.
- Convenient for people planning to stay in their home long-term.
- Open floor plans are common.
Bi-Level
A bi-level home has a small entry foyer with a staircase that immediately splits into two directions. One flight of stairs goes up to the main living area, and another goes down to the lower level.
How to recognize it:
- Front door opens into a small foyer.
- Stairs go both up and down from the entry.
- Living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and main baths are usually on the upper level.
- Family room, garage access, laundry, and sometimes additional bedrooms are on the lower level.
Popular because:
- Efficient use of space.
- Often offers more square footage for the price.
- Separate living areas can provide flexibility for extended family or home offices.
Split Level
A split-level home has three or more levels connected by short flights of stairs. Instead of full floors stacked directly on top of each other, the levels are staggered.
How to recognize it:
- You enter on the main level.
- A short staircase leads up to the bedrooms.
- Another short staircase leads down to a family room, recreation room, or garage level.
- The home appears to be “split” into multiple sections at different heights.
Popular because:
- Creates separate spaces for living, sleeping, and entertaining.
- Offers more privacy between levels.
- Common throughout many Central New Jersey neighborhoods built in the 1950s–1980s.
Cape Cod
A Cape Cod is a classic American home style that became especially popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Many Central New Jersey neighborhoods feature Cape Cod homes, particularly in towns such as Edison, Piscataway, Metuchen, Middlesex, and South Plainfield.
How to recognize it:
- Steeply pitched roof.
- One-and-a-half-story design.
- Bedrooms are often located on the second floor with sloped ceilings.
- Dormer windows may project from the roof.
- Usually has a compact, symmetrical appearance.
- Often features one or two bedrooms on the first floor and additional bedrooms upstairs.
Popular because:
- Charming, timeless appearance.
- Efficient use of space.
- Often located in established neighborhoods with mature trees and larger lots.
- Many have been expanded over the years with additions, dormers, or rear extensions.
Townhomes and Condominiums
Often, 1000-2000 square feet of living space, sometimes with garages and basements, provide lower maintenance and community amenities.
New Construction and Infill Homes
Many buyers relocating to Central New Jersey are surprised to learn that there is relatively little vacant land available for large new-home developments.
Instead, much of the area’s new construction consists of infill homes. Infill construction typically occurs when a builder purchases an older home, demolishes it, and builds a new home on the lot. In some cases, the original foundation is retained and a new home is constructed on top of it.
As a result, buyers will often find newly built homes located within established neighborhoods rather than in large, newly developed subdivisions. This can offer the advantages of modern construction while still providing access to mature trees, established communities, convenient locations, and highly regarded school districts.
If new construction is important to you, it’s helpful to understand the difference between traditional subdivision developments and infill homes, as both are common options in different parts of the country.
Historic Homes
Common in towns such as Metuchen and Westfield.
Choosing the Right Town
The “best” town depends on your priorities.
Some buyers prioritize:
- Commute time
- Schools
- Walkability
- Lot size
- Housing budget
- Downtown amenities
- Access to parks and recreation
Every relocation buyer’s situation is different.
Questions I Frequently Hear from Relocating Buyers
- Which towns have direct train service to New York?
- What are property taxes like?
- Which towns have walkable downtowns?
- Where can I find larger lots?
- Which towns offer newer homes?
- How long will my commute be?
- What can I buy within my budget?
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Let’s Talk
If you’re considering a move to Central New Jersey, I’d be happy to help you evaluate different communities and find the area that best fits your lifestyle, budget, and commuting needs.
Mary Churchill
Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker Realty | 908-930-4800 | mary.churchill@cbrealty.com
Serving buyers and sellers throughout Central New Jersey since 2002.
