Hidden Rurality

BY PAMELA BABCOCK

They may be off your radar, but from a community deep in the southern farmlands to a Bavarian-themed village in the northern part of the state, here are a few scenic spots in rural parts of the Garden State that have plenty to offer.

Mullica Hill

Mullica Hill has deep historical roots and everything from farm-to-table restaurants to an Amish market and specialty boutiques. In 1991, the entire historic district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Mullica Hill is truly a Norman Rockwell town with a charming walkable downtown, outstanding schools, beautiful recreational areas and quick access to major routes,” notes Pat Settar, CRS, ABR, broker-associate and Realtor ® with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach Realtors® in Mullica Hill.

Settar has called Mullica Hill home for 30 years and says the town’s big draws are the farmers’ markets and familyrun William Heritage Winery. Eateries in the area include everything from barbecue to seafood. One popular spot is the blueplate, a farm-to-table restaurant. Marino’s of Mullica Hill serves up pizzas featuring everything from peaches to asparagus, depending on what’s in season. There are plenty of antique shops on or near Main Street as well as stores offering artisan and handmade items such as soaps and quilts. Among the many farms is the 63-acre Hill Creek Farms, which has more than 17,000 apple trees, plus an orchard of plums, Asian pears, and nectarines. Visitors can pick their own and children can enjoy barrel train rides.

Located in Harrison Township in Gloucester County, Mullica Hill’s annual “Lights on Main” tree-lighting holiday ceremony draws thousands of people each year. In late March, as a symbol of resilience during the pandemic, community leaders decided to light the massive tree to foster a sense of community and help residents see that there’s a “light at the end of the tunnel,” Settar says.

Mullica Hill is off Exit 2 on the Turnpike and convenient to several other major routes, such as Center City Philadelphia which is a 30-minute drive. There’s a new Inspira Medical Center and Rowan University is about 10 minutes away. Housing stock is predominantly development style-homes, although there are some historic properties.

High Bridge Borough

This small and peaceful community is located on the South Branch of the Raritan River in Hunterdon County. Realtor® Lauren Hamlin of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Clinton bought her first home in High Bridge a decade ago.

“The love and excitement I have for this town is contagious,” says Hamlin, who adds that many buyers looking in surrounding towns often “end up being drawn back to the charm and community feel that High Bridge exudes.”

One reason is all the restaurants, shops, parks and trails. HighRail Brewing Company offers small batch beer and hard seltzer, while popular eateries include Casa Maya for Sonoran-style Mexican food, Scouts Coffee Bar + Mercantile, and Circa Restaurant, which has drawn widespread acclaim.

High Bridge is located near I-78 and Routes 22 and 31, providing easy access for those who commute by car. Public transportation is available by way of the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line, and a Trans-Bridge Lines bus station is just minutes away.

Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the Columbia Trail, the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area, and Lake Solitude Dam and Waterfall. History buffs can stroll the Taylor Steelworkers Historic Greenway, while golfers can enjoy the High Bridge Hills Golf Club which offers discounts to residents. Pre-pandemic, annual events have included Movies in the Commons, a Pooch Parade, and even a Soap Box Derby.

Buyers can find turn-of-the-century homes as well as newer homes, both small and large, Hamlin says. Last year, Hamlin and her husband bought their first investment property in town—a two-bedroom, one-bath yellow bungalow in the sought-after Northern HunterdonVoorhees Regional School District that was completely hidden by overgrown trees.

She says the joy the couple felt bringing the home back to life “was only topped by the gratitude and excitement felt by neighbors and townspeople for helping to improve High Bridge. This small town has become part of me. I care deeply for the residents here and am so excited by the growth and rejuvenation we’ve been seeing.”

Sparta

Sparta Township in rural Sussex County features rolling hills, numerous lakes, and inviting residential developments. Lynn Garafola, GRI, CRS, CLHMS, team leader of Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® in Sparta, has been selling homes in Sparta for nearly three decades. She says in the past couple of years, people have been rediscovering Sparta.

A big draw is Lake Mohawk, a private manmade lake community dating back to the mid-1920s with a quaint, alpine-themed downtown. The Lake Mohawk White Deer Plaza and Boardwalk are on the National Register of Historic Places and feature several restaurants, including the popular Kroghs Restaurant & Brew Pub and St. Moritz Grill & Bar, as well as a candy and confections shop, pet boutique, and more. Homes on Lake Mohawk include everything from smaller Craftsman-style homes to sprawling custom lakefront homes.

The surrounding areas of Sparta have newer homes on bigger lots. Garafola says a 20 to 25-year-old, 3,000-squarefoot Colonial with four bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a full basement on an acre or acre and a half might go for “around $500,000 to $600,000.”

Big boons include Atlantic Health’s Sparta Health & Wellness Center, while Newton Medical Center and big box retailers are just 10 minutes away. There’s bus service into Manhattan from several locations, while those who prefer the train typically drive to Dover or Mt. Arlington. Sparta Township is also close to several major routes.

“I actually once had clients where the wife commuted south to Novartis in East Hanover and the husband commuted north into Westchester County, New York. They chose Sparta to be in the middle,” Garafola notes. Others have a primary home about 30 miles away and a second “getaway home” on Lake Mohawk.

Popular outdoor areas include Station Park and White Lake Park, which has a trail system and is a popular place for organized sports.