A rural expanse aims to be more connected to Sussex County
Green, New Jersey may be green thanks to the rural expanse that it encompasses, but it doesn’t have a single green streetlight – and that’s not stopping people from moving there. “There’s one blinking red light in town, that’s it,” says Maura Young, a Realtor with Weichert Realtors. “The rest opens up to cornfields and cows.” But the area, about 60 miles from New York City, is becoming a focal point for transportation as it builds on its history to bring Sussex County into a more advanced era. A commercial train that ran from Hoboken, New Jersey to Buffalo, New York had a stop in Green, but ceased operation in 1980. Since then, talks have emerged to reinstall rail service, this time for commuters. Andover, a suburban borough attached to the east end, would have a station while Green would have a maintenance facility. Officials propose a 2026 launch date. Nearly 4,000 residents live here, and the median age is 45. The township marked its bicentennial in June 2024.
Hunting, fishing and sports are on tap in Green
Protected land surrounds Green, giving residents access to immersive nature at the edges. Allamuchy Mountain State Park on the east end, for example, sits next to Cranberry Lake. Hiking and boating are popular pastimes here. The park is also considered one of the best places in the state for trout fishing. Hunting takes place on the west end, at the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area. It’s also known as a wintering habitat for large birds like hawks. But there are smaller and more traditional park spaces in Green, like Wesley Field, where Little League baseball games are played. Evergreen Park features the most amenities. It has a playground, a pavilion, athletic fields and basketball courts. Visitors can also pick up the Lehigh and Hudson Rail Trail here, which covers about 2.5 miles through wooded terrain.
Larger lots with homes starting at $300,000
Green also stands out from neighboring locales in other ways. “It tends to be more inventory than Fredon, and more affordable, too,” says Nicole Haslett, a Realtor with Keller Williams Metropolitan. The area’s spacious quality allows aesthetics to play a prime role in attracting homebuyers. “The Lake Tranquility development in Green is just beautiful,” Haslett says. “Green is very desirable, you frequently see sales going higher over the asking price.” Part of the equation too is that Green isn’t a fortress of large estates separated from one another by vast tracts of land. It invites first-time homebuyers to enjoy a sense of community. “It has lots of starter homes, and you can always find a bigger property there if you want to,” says Haslett. “The land tends to be big already. A lot of homes come with one or one-and-a-half acres.”
In the $300,000 to $400,000 range, buyers will see ranch-style homes of various types, including raised versions in the Lake Tranquility development. The $400,000 to $600,000 range brings multi-story four-bedroom homes. And from $600,000 to $800,000 there are modern traditional homes.
Students go to neighboring Newton for high school
“Green has a wonderful school district, it’s one of the big draws,” says Haslett. Students can begin at Green Hills School for kindergarten through eighth grade. The school earns a B-plus from Niche and an A in the teachers category. Nearly 400 students attend Green Hills, which has a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio. High school students attend Newton High, which is rated B-plus. The school has numerous extracurricular activities to participate in, from an award-winning robotics team to Future Farmers of America.
A car is essential, but most homebuyers prefer that lifestyle here
Owning a car is essential for most people here, but with that trade-off comes access to scenic beauty. “Green represents why New Jersey is called the Garden State,” says Haslett. “It’s full of open space and rolling hills. Drive through on a sunny day and you’ll want to slow down and enjoy it. So you drive a little more to get what you want, like a special dinner, but that’s part of the lifestyle here.”
County Route 517 and U.S. Route 206, both on the east end, are the most important corridors. Route 206 especially runs north-south through Sussex County, leading directly to destinations like downtown Newton. Residents can get to Interstate 80 in about 10 minutes, which will lead them to New York City within 90 minutes. Newark Liberty Airport is about 50 miles away. Commuter rail service is expected to launch in neighboring Andover in fall 2026.
Public and private events keep the calendar full
Holidays bring annual events, like the Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Lake Tranquility runs a private community club that residents can join. Events include an Independence Day bonfire, a Memorial Day pig roast and a clam bake in the fall. There’s even a swim team for ages 4 to 18, which participates in the Wallkill Valley Swim Conference.
Route 517 has small and cozy eateries
Typically, residents take care of groceries by driving to Newton or Byrum, both of which have a Shop Rite. But since Green is a rural community, fresh food can be purchased from small producers. “You’re buying from farmstands on the side of the road, or even growing your own veggies,” says Haslett. “It’s truly farm-to-table.” Small locally owned restaurants on County Route 517 fill the need for dining out. Behind the tiny unassuming storefront of Casima Pizza, there’s a rustic wood interior where salads, sandwiches and pizza pies are served. Pub 517 focuses on seafood and a lodge-like atmosphere with plenty of seating. “It’s a popular gathering spot,” says Haslett.
