'Good value' and land 45 miles from NYC
A mix of suburban atmosphere and rural landscape draw homebuyers to Franklin Township, where they can still be 45 miles from New York City and about 35 miles from Newark. The neighborhood’s subdivisions are mostly confined to the area’s borders, while the center is made up of homes with larger lots, farmland and an extensive trail system. “It’s a nice rural area; You come here for good value and also for some land,” says Mark Heflin, a sales associate with RE/MAX Preferred Professionals, and a Franklin Township local who’s been selling homes here for over 40 years.
Ranch-style homes and colonials from $450,000
Homebuyers can primarily find ranch-style homes and colonial revivals from the late 1900s. These properties feature large lots with plenty of space between houses, as well as driveways and garages. Homes tend to stay on the market for around a month and typically sell for $450,000 to $1 million. There are also townhomes in communities like Kingsberry Acres that range from $400,000 to $500,000.
Commuting on state Route 27, Interstates 287 and 95
State Route 27 borders Franklin Township and connects to Interstates 287 and 95 less than 10 miles north. The Jersey Avenue train station is about 5 miles north and offers daily service to Trenton and New York City. Princeton Hospital is 10 miles south, and Newark Liberty International Airport is 25 miles north.
Colonial Park, Six Mile Run State Park
Outdoor attractions are close by. “The big recreation area here is Colonial Park,” says Heflin. “People also like to fish and canoe in Raritan River.” Colonial Park, 3 miles north, is a massive 685-acre green space offering sports facilities, trails, playgrounds, a splash park and a miniature golf course. Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden features over 300 flower varieties. Raritan River, meanwhile, is less than 5 miles north. In the neighborhood itself, Six Mile Run State Park has over a dozen miles of hiking and biking trails.
Extracurriculars at Franklin High
Students may start at Claremont Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche, before going to Franklin Middle’s Sampson G. Smith Campus, which also gets a B-minus. Franklin High School earns a B-plus and offers over 50 extracurricular clubs.
Shopping and dining at Main Street North Brunswick
Most residents head 3 miles south to Main Street North Brunswick, a shopping center that includes a Costco and Target. Several local restaurants can also be found along Route 27, including Kabab Culture for Indian food. “Luca's Ristorante is another place my wife and I go to often,” adds Heflin.
Franklin Day Festival in September
Franklin Day Festival, the town’s largest event, is held in September at Colonial Park. The festival features live music, food vendors and family-friendly activities. Work from local artists is also celebrated during the town’s "Not Quite Wine & Cheese" Art Opening.
