Guide Me Home to North Jersey

New Jersey Monthly Magazine has just published its “Best Places to Live 2010” article, and Chatham Township is ranked #2 (Bedminster Township is ranked #1.) The data is compiled by Monmouth University’s Polling Institute. They consider eight categories which best represent the quality of life in New Jersey’s 566 municipalities: population growth, home values, property taxes, land development, employment, crime rate, school performance, and proximity to services. Household income was not included, and home values were measured by the rate of increase or decrease over three years rather than by current prices.

In March of 2008, New Jersey Monthly Magazine ranked Chatham Township #1 once again. James O’Neill, the Superintendent of Schools for the School District of the Chathams, was quoted as saying “Chatham is a very unique place to live … there is a disproportionate number of terrific kids and talented teachers …and dedicated parents who spend an inordinate amount of time supporting the district. Chatham schools excel in academics, in the arts, and in athletics.”

The State Department of Education released its “School Report Card” on February 9, 2010, and once again Chatham schools came out on top. Chatham High School - a nationally ranked “Blue Ribbon School” - had the top SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores in Morris County, and ranked 22nd in the state.

Even CNN’s Money Magazine was impressed with Chatham – in 2005 - naming the combined towns of Borough and Township the ninth best place to live in America! With the opening of New Jersey Transit’s Midtown Direct train service to Manhattan in the late 1990s, land values in Chatham shot up.

Chatham continues to be recognized as one of the top towns in New Jersey, and a great place to live!

Posted by:Cynthia Edgar

The Mendhams and Morris County have had tremendous foresight in setting aside preserved land over the last several decades. One of the most rewarding benefits is a system of hiking trails that might be the best in New Jersey. All are open to foot and horse traffic. Trails owned or maintained by Morris County almost always allow mountain bikes as well. None are open to motorized traffic.

Winter trails can be especially rewarding, with long views of vistas and wildlife with the leaves off the trees. After our ample recent snowfalls, snowshoes and cross-country skis add to the fun. There are many parking spots at trail access points, and most are quickly plowed out after storms.

Stay tuned for detailed information on individual trails in future blogs.

Posted by:Brian Hays

In a past blog, I spoke about the importance of sprucing up the inside of your house before putting it on the market, but curb appeal is just as, if not more important, to draw a potential buyer in. Depending on when you plan to put your house on the market, you may want to consider Annual plants (lasting one season) vs. Perennial plants (returning annually or bi-annually). Spring planting is best done after the danger of frost season has passed. In the Morris County area, plan to start your planting after May 15th.

Perennials are typically more expensive, however less work in the long run. Keep in mind what zone the Perennials are recommended for. Morris County is in Zone 7 which means plants rated for Zone 7 or higher will survive and come back the following year. Plants that are labeled as a Perennial may be for Zone 6, which, in effect, makes them an Annual in Morris County, unless we have an unusually warm winter. If in doubt, your local nursery will be able to guide you to which plants are best.

Annuals can give you large splashes of color for a relatively small investment. When planning out what to plant where, a good rule of thumb is to group several of the same plants together and then flow into another grouping of plants in a different color. To further give your front yard an inviting effect, trim back over grown bushes so they are not covering windows and give your lawn a fertilizer treatment.

There are several nurseries in the Chatham/Madison/Harding area- Coviello Brothers and J&M Home and Garden in Madison, The Farm in Green Village and the Great Swamp Nursery on the border of Meyersville and Gillette. I frequent The Farm and find their helpful staff to be extremely knowledgeable. They also offer an extensive array of plants, trees, bushes and ornamental items.

If this task seems too daunting, all of the nurseries listed above can tackle the jobs for you. Otherwise, happy planting!

Posted by:Nadine Gelinas-Coffey

If you live in Somerset County, then you know New Jersey has a reputation of being horse country as the home of the United States Equestrian Team in Gladstone and the Far Hills Race Meeting event held every October at Moorland Farms in Far Hills. There are numerous riding stables and equestrian shops dotting Somerset County.

However, what people from Morris County may not know is that they have their own accessibility to riding right in their own backyard and it is owned by the County.  Seaton Hackney Stables was refurbished in 2006 after years of being shut down.  The County poured money into revamping the stable and rings and subcontracted the management of it to Equishare USA , LLC. The stables are adjacent to Loantaka Brook Reservation. The stable offers a group lesson based on a riders ability level, commonly known as troop, which is run 3 times a year. There are also private and semi private lessons available and trail rides through Loantaka.  During the summer months, there are week long summer day camps which includes everything from learning how to groom and care for a horse, to riding and swim time.  There is also a program for children with special needs. For further information contact www.seatonhackney.com or call 973-644-3355.

Posted by: Nadine Gelinas-Coffey

There are still some “best-kept secrets” in today’s real estate world, and one of them is Harding Township, NJ. If you are looking for acreage, beautiful country roads, small-town atmosphere, and unique homes, Harding is your answer. If you are looking for proximity to great shopping, a large, fully stocked grocery store that’s 10 minutes away, and a reasonable commute to NYC, Harding is your answer.

Harding has been able to preserve the best of living in Morris County due to its aggressive zoning laws (most areas have a 3-acre minimum lot size requirement) and a population dedicated to preserving its bucolic, yet vibrant, nature. This 20 square mile township lies between 2 national preserves: Jockey Hollow Park and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. These set the tone for some of the private and public organizations in Harding, such as the Harding Township/Green Village Bridle Path Association, the Great Swamp Watershed Association, the Historic Preservation Committee, the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, and The Harding Township Library, a small public library with big plans. Click here for updates on these plans.

Commuting from Harding is relatively easy. By car quick access to Route 287 is available from 2 entrances (off James Street or North Maple Avenue). By train the Convent Station, Morristown, or Basking Ridge stations service the Midtown Direct Line into NYC.

Most homes in Harding, NJ have their own well and septic system and must arrange for private refuse and recycle pick-up. There is no high school, but the Harding Township Public School accommodates K-8. High school students go to Madison High in nearby Madison, NJ.

As a result, Harding residents enjoy low taxes. Home prices currently range from $425,000 to $16,650,000. If you would like to experience this unique setting, please click here and come visit!

Posted by: Mary Jane Benedetto