A blend of rural charm and suburban living in Chesterfield
Chesterfield has long been an agricultural community, helping New Jersey live up to its nickname of the “Garden State.” The township has a Transfer of Development Rights program that redirects development from its farmland to a planned community known as Old York Village, which preserves its rural character and allows residents to enjoy suburban living in the countryside. While parks, commercial spaces and an on-site elementary school make daily life easier within the village center, the surrounding township appeals to those looking for more of a rural lifestyle. “Aside from that one development, you’re looking at properties with acreage and natural surroundings,” says Frank Angelucci, a Realtor with ERA Central Realty Group who grew up in the area. “People escape the city life for that rural setting. Your closest neighbor might be half a mile down the road.” No matter where they live in Chesterfield, residents are near the New Jersey Turnpike and can access bigger cities like Trenton, less than 15 miles away. “It’s a gem of a town in regard to that central location,” Angelucci says. The township is also just north of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a major employer and a tri-service joint base that is home to Air Force, Army and Navy installations.
A neighborhood feel in Old York Village and space in the countryside
Old York Village is in the township’s northern half, and its tree-lined streets feature a mix of single-family homes and townhouses. Colonial Revival, New Traditional and Cape Cod-style homes are the norm and typically have around quarter-acre-sized lots with room for a small pool or patio. "The community itself is growing. You're seeing a lot more people move into that development and utilize the good schools," Angelucci says. Prices for single-family homes range from $600,000 to $990,000, while townhouses usually sell for $520,000 to $630,000.
Outside of Old York Village, houses are a bit more secluded and have up to several acres of land. Sprawling ranch-style homes, 19th-century farmhouses and custom-built properties dot the township’s rural landscapes and generally sell for $370,000 to $700,000, although larger properties can fetch upwards of $1 million. The township's oldest homes are in Crosswicks, which was settled in the 17th century. "You have your older Colonial saltboxes there, and moving outwards from that are more farmhouse-style homes with wraparound porches," Angelucci says. Properties sell after an average of over a month on the market.
Students move from township to regional schools after sixth grade
The Chesterfield Township School District covers prekindergarten through sixth grade. It consists of Chesterfield Elementary School, which earns an A-minus from Niche and offers before- and after-school programs. Older students are served by the Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Both Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School and Northern Burlington County Regional High School receive a B-plus from Niche, and the district has an agriscience program that allows seventh through 12th graders to explore plant science, animal science and agricultural mechanics.
Local farms feature fresh produce, seasonal festivities and more
Chesterfield’s southern half is primarily rural and includes acres of rolling farmland. Strawberry Hill Farm is open seasonally and allows patrons to pick their own apples, peaches and nectarines. Each fall, Paradise Farms and Gardens has a pumpkin patch and plenty of seasonal activities and treats for all ages. Spots like Hlubik Farms have small farmstands where fresh produce is available year-round, and Fernbrook Farms uses a community-supported agriculture program through which members receive a steady supply of farm-fresh goods after paying for a share of the harvest upfront.
Parks and community events bring residents together year-round
Green spaces in Old York Village include Fenton Lane Park, which has tennis courts, ball fields, a playground and a paved walking path. There are also smaller pocket parks and lakes scattered throughout the community. For residents who live farther south, Chesterfield Park sits in the center of town and features a playground, tennis facilities and sand volleyball courts. Locals looking to cool off during warmer months can join the Country Pool Club, a private group with a swimming pool, kiddie pool and a youth swim team that competes each summer. Chesterfield is also home to the Crosswicks Library and Crosswicks Community House, the latter of which hosts an annual Halloween parade, tree-lighting ceremony and croquet competition for township residents.
Local eats and nearby big-box shops in the suburbs of Trenton
The Shops at Old York Village is a mixed-use development in the village center. It includes the Beauty Loft Salon, Chesterfield Bagel & Grill and Gervasio’s Italian Family Restaurant, known for its traditional pizzas and pastas. Fundaes Arcade is a popular spot for kids, doubling as an arcade and an ice cream shop. In the township’s center, the Chesterfield Inn proudly declares itself the oldest continuously running tavern in New Jersey. It was originally built in 1710 and serves American classics alongside weekly trivia, karaoke and live music nights. “It’s just a place where people come together and hang out on the weekends or at night,” Angelucci says of the inn.
For more shopping and dining, residents can head north to the suburbs of Trenton. Hamilton Township is about 10 miles from Chesterfield and has big-box stores like Home Depot, Walmart and ShopRite. It also has fast-casual dining options such as Outback Steakhouse and Chili’s Grill & Bar.
Residents are within reach of Philadelphia, NYC and the Jersey Shore
Chesterfield is primarily car-dependent and offers access to the New Jersey Turnpike, which passes through its northwestern corner. Residents can follow the turnpike south towards Philadelphia, just over 40 miles away, or north into New York City, about 70 miles from the township. “We have plenty of people commuting to Philadelphia and NYC on a daily basis,” Angelucci says. Those who prefer public transportation can head 15 miles north to NJ Transit’s Hamilton Station, where the train travels to New York’s Penn Station in about an hour and a half. For those looking to reach coastal destinations, Interstate 195 leads 50 miles east to the Jersey Shore. Trenton-Mercer Airport is about 18 miles from Chesterfield. Residents are less than 10 miles from the closest hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
