What is the Morris County lake region like? (Orange, Westfield: renting, houses)

[paddy205]

What is it like to live near Lake Hoptacong and in the Jefferson, Rockaway, and Mt Olive areas of Morris Co in general? Is this more of a summer home place or do people live there year round and is the summer traffic horrible? How is the commute south? I am working in central NJ near exit 20 on Route 78. My husband and I are headed there this weekend to check out the area and drive by some listings but I thought I'd ask for some feedback too.

We recently moved here from Pennsylvania and until our house there is sold, we are renting an apt in Westfield, which is great, but we can't afford to buy there. We are only looking to spend between $250-300 for a house (I know thats low here but we have no kids, don't really need anything big or care too much about school districts and are willing to take a modest fixer upper) and from the listings our realtor sent us it seems we can get a cute cottage in that area in our price range. I was originally leaning more towards living in a nice walkable downtown on the east side of NJ (like maybe South Orange which looks like a really nice downtown), but my husband is now obsessed with the idea of living on a lake and buying a boat. I just don't want to feel totally isolated there.

[wileynj]

These areas seem a bit odd for commuting to exit 20 off of rt 78? Did you try looking in Hunterdon County or some areas in Warren Co. near Rt. 31? Commutuing from those areas you mentioned will be a bit of a hike. There are lakes everywhere in NJ - the ones you mentioned are ok but I think you can get more for your money in areas closer to Rt. 78 - exit 20 area. Actually, I found a few Delaware River front homes in your price range in Knowlton, Warren Co. - you can hop on Rt. 31 south to get to Rt 78 or Rt. 519 will take you straight into Phillipsburg. Lake Hopatcong is a mix - good houses and not so nice houses and on the lake, they'll be on top of each other. Budd Lake - Mt. Olive...similiar to lake Hopatcong - Hopatcong. Rockaway..nice area - I am assuming Lake Telemark section? Hubby may have to adopt a nickname if you move there..their big on nicknames...and drinking heavily : )) If you end up not liking the Morris County areas you chose, I would say try areas of off Rt. 31.

[stevemorse]

I love living in Jefferson Twsip, I also love driving thur Rockaway, Hibernia area. ITs so beautiful and quiet. Ridges and rocks and land. Mountain Laurel, this area is too good to be true!!! Dont let the secret out!

[njkate]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

I love living in Jefferson Twsip, I also love driving thur Rockaway, Hibernia area. ITs so beautiful and quiet. Ridges and rocks and land. Mountain Laurel, this area is too good to be true!!! Dont let the secret out!

The secret is already out!! Come over to the lakeside and where once stood woods & wildlife there is nothing but big ugly McMansions...deer & bear running amuk because there is no where for them to go any more...boy those deer are totally tearing up my yard..they come to feast on the acorns still on the ground..poor buggers

That said..o/p the Morris County Lake area is pretty good not as good as say 20 years ago..but you are going to have one heck of a commute..also keep in mind that it may be raining where your job is but once you start to climb Rt 15 it's uaually snow or ice or a combo...

[wileynj]

Out of the ones you mentioned, Budd Lake - Mt. Olive would be your best bet for the commute as well as plenty of things for you to do so you won't feel stranded : )) You can hit 206 south in order to get to Rt. 78 or you can also hop over Schooley's Mtn. in Longvalley to get to Rt. 78. Hopatcong in Sussex County vs. Lake Hopatcong in Jefferson may be a good option for you as well - closer to Rt. 80, no Rt. 15 south commute. There are also a few lake communities by me that you may want to check out. Try Stillwater, Paulinskill, Swartzwood - all in Sussex County with a reasonable commute to Rt. 80.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by wileynj

Out of the ones you mentioned, Budd Lake - Mt. Olive would be your best bet for the commute as well as plenty of things for you to do so you won't feel stranded : )) You can hit 206 south in order to get to Rt. 78 or you can also hop over Schooley's Mtn. in Longvalley to get to Rt. 78. Hopatcong in Sussex County vs. Lake Hopatcong in Jefferson may be a good option for you as well - closer to Rt. 80, no Rt. 15 south commute. There are also a few lake communities by me that you may want to check out. Try Stillwater, Paulinskill, Swartzwood - all in Sussex County with a reasonable commute to Rt. 80.

All good choices!!

[njkate]

Just noticed o/p stated she would like a nice walkable downtown...forget that in Hpoatcong, Lk Hopatcong , Budd Lake

Wharton, Newton, Hackettstown all have walkable downtown areas and close to lakes..not right on them but 300K won't get you lake front anyways

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by njkate

All good choices!!

They don't call Sussex County "The Land of Lakes" for nothing : )) Plus those areas are still considered a well kept secret ; )

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by njkate

Just noticed o/p stated she would like a nice walkable downtown...forget that in Hpoatcong, Lk Hopatcong , Budd Lake

Wharton, Newton, Hackettstown all have walkable downtown areas and close to lakes..not right on them but 300K won't get you lake front anyways

Actually..300K will get you a lake front - I checked it out on MLS. Not sure what the state of the house will be, but it's doable. Cranbury Lake may be a good option as well? Right of off Rt. 206 in Andover Twp. Or Forest Lakes - near Andover Boro.??? Too many out this way to choose from.....lol

[njkate]

Originally Posted by wileynj

They don't call Sussex County "The Land of Lakes" for nothing : )) Plus those areas are still considered a well kept secret ; )

Well try & keep it that way I remember Lake Hopatcong many moons ago..nothing like that today Still nice but getting way to crowded