Tightly knit Allamuchy Township lies west of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Allamuchy Township includes farmland, recreational space and a master-planned community about 25 miles west of the Parsippany-Troy Hills metro area. "Allamuchy has a nice, rural flavor," says Joan O'Brien, a broker at Re/Max Town & Valley who specializes in Allamuchy. "It’s small enough where you actually know your neighbors. It's centered around the schools, the fire department and the local clubs that bring everyone together at events." Although Allamuchy is removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, it is highly accessible by car: Interstate 80 cuts through the township, connecting it to Parsippany-Troy Hills and the rest of New Jersey. “Parsippany is an economic hub for the area, with lots of offices and pharmaceutical companies along Route 10,” says Frank LaMorte, a broker at Lattimer Realty with about 20 years of experience.
Most homes are within the Panther Valley community
The township includes attached and detached New Traditional single-family homes in addition to cul-de-sacs of townhouses. “You can buy anything from a studio to a large single-family home,” O’Brien says. Homes in the gated Panther Valley neighborhood sit on compact lots, while homes on the outskirts have more acreage. Much of the housing is concentrated in Panther Valley, a master-planned development with a golf course and limited inventory. Single-family homes range from about $320,000 to $780,000, with four-bedrooms fetching top prices exceeding $640,000. Townhouses are prevalent, ranging from about $160,000 to $370,000. The Panther Valley Owners’ Association fees vary depending on housing type. This neighborhood also has amenities like a pool and courts for tennis and pickleball in addition to the Panther Valley Golf and Country Club. Allamuchy’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. There is an increased flood risk along Trout Brook.
Multiple state parks surround Allamuchy
Allamuchy Township is in the shape of a square with parks near three of the four corners. Ghost Lake of Jenny Jump State Forest has fishing and canoeing, and along the shoreline is a small cave to explore called Faery Hole. Hikers can venture up into forest trails for mountain views. Outdoor lovers can find more immersive nature experiences, including campsites, at Allamuchy Mountain State Park and Stephens State Park. The smaller Allamuchy Recreation area features ballfields and a dog park. “There’s also Lake Parsippany for recreation,” LaMorte says, referring to the lake east of the township. “People come out for its beaches, but you can also take non-powered boats on it.” For private outdoor recreation, members-only Panther Valley Golf & Country Club has a championship golf course.
Activities at historic Rutherford Hall and Tranquility Farm
Rutherfurd Hall is a national landmark and local gathering place in the center of Allamuchy. The landscape of this grand, brick estate showcases the work of the famous Olmsted Brothers, who also designed the Stanford University campus. Rutherfurd Hall has been used for many different purposes over the years, including as a nunnery, before opening to the public in 2012. Today, it offers a museum experience and hosts regular holiday events. "Rutherfurd Hall is just this beautiful historic home open to the community," O'Brien says. "They host jazz concerts and events throughout the year, like craft fairs. They even have a lake with kayak rentals." Tranquility Farm is another historic property that doubles as a community hub. In 1865, it’s where the first telescopic photographs of the moon were captured. Today, folks can go to the farm in the fall to pick pumpkins and apples.
Students may progress from Mountain Villa School to Hackettstown High
The Allamuchy Township School District, rated C-plus on Niche, serves the area. Students enrolled in prekindergarten through second grade may attend Mountain Villa School, which is not rated on Niche. Allamuchy Township Elementary serves students in grades three through eight and earns a C-plus rating. Allamuchy students may advance to Hackettstown High, which is part of the Hackettstown Public School District; both the high school and the district are rated B-minus. Hackettstown High has a number of extracurricular clubs for students to join, like a literary magazine called Lyric and a robotics team that competes every spring.
Shopping and dining at Panther Valley Mall
Along Route 517, Panther Valley Mall is home to businesses housed in Colonial Revival buildings. The Market at Panther Valley has a small grocery selection, and patrons can order deli sandwiches or coffee. Panther Pub serves burgers and tacos along with cocktails and draft beer, while Terranova Pizzeria offers pasta and seafood entrees in addition to pizza slices. Other conveniences in this shopping center include a pharmacy, gym and gas station. More groceries and essentials are available at Weis Markets and Walmart Supercenter about 10 miles south in Hackettstown.
Interstate 80 provides connection to nearby cities
Given the rural nature of this area, a car is essential. Interstate 80 is a multi-lane highway going east-west through the township. New York City is about 50 miles east, while restaurants and major regional employers of Parsippany-Troy Hills are half that. There are no public transportation options within the township, but about 8 miles east, trains passing through the Mount Olive station can take passengers to Hoboken. The nearest flights are at Newark Liberty International Airport, about 50 miles away, while the closest emergency care is available at Hackettstown Medical Center, about 5 miles south in Hackettstown.
