Quiet lifestyle near parks, shopping and dining in Bernards
Thirty-eight miles west of New York City, Bernards is a New Jersey township offering quiet suburbia with picturesque green spaces and a charming shopping and dining scene. “It’s conveniently located with an excellent school district and reasonable property taxes,” says Sue Marsh Shikiar, a real estate agent with Weichert Realtors and over 20 years of experience. Highways, bus routes and the Basking Ridge Station make the township popular with commuters, and single-family homes range from modest townhomes to custom estates with acreage. “Lot sizes vary, but in general, you can have a larger lot,” Shikiar says. “It’s suburban, but there’s a country feel.” Bernards also offers a vibrant parks scene, from amenity-rich hubs like Pleasant Valley Park to rustic escapes like the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. “It’s about the quality of life,” Shikiar says. “It’s a very family-friendly environment.”
A shady place to rest on a maintained trail within Bernards.
Bernards features many townhouse subdivisions.
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Fast-moving market with a diverse range of homes
Bernards’ neighborhoods range from secluded enclaves with custom estates to traditional suburbs and townhome/condo communities. “You’re going to find a wide variety of housing inventory,” Shikiar says. Most homes were built during the mid to late 20th century, but there are a handful of early 20th-century homes as well; Colonial and Cape Cod styles are typical. “You will find resale — new housing is difficult to find.” Mansions built over the past 25 years are often set on the outskirts of town with acre-sized lots surrounded by lush greenery. “Inventory is relatively low,” Shikiar says. “Homes sell quickly.” The median home price in Bernards is $680,000, compared to $800,000 in New York City. “When you have many people vying for the same property, prices tend to be higher,” Shikiar says.
Some single family homes in Bernards are situated around small cul de sac's.
There's plenty of open space in Bernards, offering gorgeous scenery to enjoy at your leisure.
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Bernards schools receive high marks from Niche
Bernards is part of the Bernards Township School District, which earns an A-plus. Students may attend A-rated schools, including Liberty Corner Elementary and William Annin Middle. The A-plus-rated Ridge High offers dual-enrollment courses for credit at Raritan Valley Community College. Private schools in the area include The Pingry School, ranked the best private high school in New Jersey.
Niche rates William Annin Middle School as #1 Best Public Middle Schools in Somerset County.
The Pingry School provides education to families in the neighborhood of
Bernards.
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Parks packed with sports and trails
Green spaces and pocket parks are dotted throughout Bernards. The 100-acre Pleasant Valley Park is the town’s go-to for a day outside, offering a playground, picnic shelters and sports like pickleball, softball and soccer. Anglers can reel in largemouth bass from the park’s fishing pond, while birders may spot cedar waxwings, American robins and bluejays. There’s also a community pool open in the summer. The 70-acre Dunham Park is popular for its roller hockey rink, disc golf course and bocce ball court. For a round of golf, Coakley-Russo Memorial Golf Course offers a tree-lined 9-hole layout with manicured greens. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is another highlight, where hikers can explore miles of dirt-packed trails through dense woodlands and wetlands teeming with wildlife.
An elevated view of the racquet courts at Pleasant Valley Park in Bernards
Bernards' premier private New Jersey National Golf Club has 18-holes of championship golf.
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Exploring downtown Basking Ridge
The Bernards Township area offers a busy shopping and dining scene with a charming mix of national chains, locally owned dining and boutique shopping. Downtown Basking Ridge features walkable streets lined with specialty shops and mom-and-pop restaurants. Residents can start their morning with coffee and fresh, hand-rolled bagels at Ridge Bagel Cafe or head to Blue Cafe for homestyle breakfast plates and Eastern European specialties, like blueberry pierogies, paczki (Polish doughnuts) and blintzes (Ukrainian crepes). Bella’s Burger Shack is a laid-back spot for a quick, indulgent bite, while the historic Washington House Restaurant serves elevated American comfort food with seasonal ingredients. After dinner, Ridge Sweet Shoppe offers dessert favorites like milkshakes, cheesecakes and made-to-order Dubai chocolate bars.
Locals from Bernards order delicious broths and subs for lunch at the welcoming Soup Shoppe.
Take a break from shopping at the Highlands Village Center in Bernards.
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Live performances at Pleasant Valley Park
Community events are held at Pleasant Valley Park throughout the year, including movie nights and concerts at its outdoor amphitheater. Each summer, the Plays in the Park series includes everything from Shakespeare to contemporary musicals. In May, Charter Day celebrates Bernards’ founding in 1760 with historic displays, carnival rides and a street fair with food and crafts from artisan vendors in downtown Basking Ridge.
Commuting to Newark, NYC from Bernards
Interstate 287 and 78 pass through Bernards; the latter grants direct access to Newark and New York, 26 miles and 37 miles away, respectively. Lakeland buses stop in Basking Ridge, and residents can also ride the commuter rail from Basking Ridge Station. “A commuter can easily live here,” Shikiar says. “There’s a train that gets you into New York.” Lyons VA Medical Center is in town, and Morristown Medical Center is 8 miles away. Newark Liberty International Airport is a 26-mile drive.
Many Bernards residents end up commuting daily to New York City for work.
Newark International Airport is about a 45 minute drive from Bernards.
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Flood risk
Some low-lying areas of Bernards near bodies of water are in a flood zone with an annual 1% chance of flooding.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Video By
Adam Lapallo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Courtney Orlando,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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