A quieter lifestyle between urban Newtown and the resort town of Spart
Andover Township is one of the sprawling, slightly rural communities in Sussex County clustered near the border of northwest New Jersey and New York state. But it holds an appeal because it’s wedged between urban Newton and lakefront Sparta. Students here attend high school in Newton, since the Andover school district goes only to eighth grade. Given this location, Andover Township takes bits and pieces from its surroundings, fostering an atmosphere that mixes open spaces and modern conveniences. “Newton and Sparta couldn’t be more different,” says George Perrone, a Realtor with Century 21 Realty. “A lot of people choose to live in Newton because it’s cheaper. Whereas in Sparta, I know someone who bought a property for $2.5 million and then put another million into it.”
Andover Township seems to find a balance in terms of home prices. “When you pay $450,000 in Bergen County, you basically get a shack,” says Juliet Lopez, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Integrity. “Here, you get a big house and a big lot. But you still have malls and restaurants nearby.”
A variety of homes in the $400,000 to $500,000 range
Homebuyers will find the greatest access to variety in Andover Township in the $400,000 to $500,000 range, many of which are midcentury Cape Cods, custom homes and brick ranchers. Most of these homes have yards with mature trees. There are also two-bedroom townhouses and three-bedroom ranch-style homes in the $330,000 to $370,000 range. Relatively smaller properties, like two-bedroom vinyl-clad ranch-styles on Sparta Newton Road, can sell for less than $300,000. On the western border near Sparta, prices climb to more luxury levels. It’s not uncommon to see million-dollar five-bedroom estates on heavily wooded property near a lake. But for those who want something closer to a planned community, there are developments like Perona Estates, where modern traditional homes range from $850,000 to $950,000.
Collaboration between departments at Newton High
Students can begin at Florence M. Burd School, which earns a B from Niche. At this kindergarten through fourth-grade institution, there’s an 8-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Students can then go to Long Pond School, which earns an overall B-plus and an A-minus in the teachers category. The school covers fourth to eighth grade. Andover Township sends students to Newton High, which earns a B-plus. The school is known for cross-disciplinary initiatives, like pairing the STEM department with athletic teams to design inspirational decals.
Explore the whole neighborhood with just two roads
Andover Township is 21 square miles, dwarfing next door Newton, which is 3 square miles. Owning a car here is essential. As an exurb of New York City, it takes roughly 90 minutes to reach Manhattan. Locally, a pair of roads ensures easy travel across the neighborhood. U.S. Route 206 runs north-south and is a primary means of accessing nearby retail. Newton Sparta Road runs east-west, connecting the two communities. NJ Transit has plans to provide commuter rail service to the community through a dedicated Andover station. Construction was originally slated for 2025 but has been delayed until fall 2026.
Small restaurants like Casa Bellisima create a cozy dining scene
Newton Sparta Road offers a peek at the locally owned restaurant scene. Small spots like Casa Bellisima offer Italian food in an intimate setting. AG Pizza & Restaurant is more spacious but casual, focusing on slices served inside and outside. The heart of Newton is a mile away, bringing international flavor with restaurants like Sazon Latino, a taco shop on Spring Street. There are supermarkets here, too, like Weis Markets and Shop Rite. For boutique shops and Instagram-worthy eateries, residents can go east instead to Sparta. The White Deer Plaza shopping district stands out with Tudor-style buildings and simple concepts like Alpine Creamery. Near the very northern tip of Andover Township is an outdoor mall known as The Shoppes at Lafayette. Designed like a quaint village whose businesses look more like residential homes, it also features a farmers market.
Fishing, hiking and biking at Kittatinny State Park
Golf destinations like Newton Country Club and Farmstead Country Club on the north side offer players a look at the rural terrain of Sussex County. The former is an 18-hole course established in 1916, while the latter is a 27-hole course with a former barn for a clubhouse. Hillside Park is dotted with athletic facilities like baseball fields and courts for tennis and basketball. There’s also a playground on this 500-acre expanse. Kittatinny State Park is a top choice for exploring the neighborhood’s bodies of water. Lake Aeroflex and Gardner’s Pond are open for fishing and boating. Picnicking, mountain biking and trail hiking are part of the experience as well.
