Highland Park grew from farmland to a thriving rail suburb
Sitting across the Raritan River from the college town of New Brunswick and just off the famous New Jersey Turnpike, the North Jersey community of Highland Park is a hidden gem of the Raritan Valley. This small town includes the best features that a New York community suburb can offer: a vibrant downtown retail and dining scene, ease of access to major highways, and competitive home prices.
Highland Park may not be as well known as neighboring Edison – home of Menlo Park – or New Brunswick, but this community has centuries of history behind it. Originally farmland, Highland Park transformed into a rail suburb of New York City during the Gilded Age and became an independent borough in 1905. Highland Park was once fittingly called “East New Brunswick” before adopting its current name, referring to its location above the Raritan Valley. Highland Park’s once bustling industrial scene disappeared due to the deindustrialization of the 1960s, but the town’s Raritan and Woodbridge Avenues have continued to be home to thriving storefronts, and the borough has continued to grow due to its increasing popularity as a New York suburb. Its homes, many of which date to the mid-20th century, reflect Highland Park’s suburban boom during the postwar suburbanization phase, and many homes take design cues from suburban New Jersey’s preference for colonial homes of English and Dutch styles.
Colonial-style homes reflect the town’s long-standing character
Realtor Stephen Strickland of Strickland Realty says, “Highland Park is a very small town in Middlesex County, with good schools and an older feel to most of its houses. It’s a really good area; homes are not priced too high or too low.” Most homes in Highland Park sell for between $500,000 and $600,000, taking into account this community’s advantageous location and booming market. On Highland Park’s housing variety, Strickland says, “Homes are typically older, as it’s not cheap enough for builders to knock down and rebuild local houses, so you’ll get a lot of nice, but older homes here.”
Restaurants range from Thai and Greek to kosher and halal
Highland Park offers homebuyers all the conveniences that an aspiring New York commuter could want for their hometown. Strickland says, “You have one main street with all of your food and shopping, and, from anywhere in Highland Park, you’re talking about a three to five-minute drive to get to the center of Highland Park. There are a lot of food options; one of the best Thai restaurants in New Jersey is the Pad Thai Restaurant. We have everything, with lots of choices of food, from a pizza place to a Venezuelan place, kosher food, halal food, good ice cream, and good Greek food.” Pithari Taverna serves popular Greek dishes from souvlaki to grilled meats with tzatziki and even seafood classics such as calamari. Bridge Turkish and Mediterranean Grill offers its own unique menu, which includes vegetable and meat-topped pita flatbreads, Turkish coffee, and plenty of grilled meat for those with a hearty appetite.
Local schools offer consistent performance and athletic success
Highland Park’s students attend Irving Primary School, Bartle Elementary School, Highland Park Middle School, and Highland Park High School. The high school has consistently ranked within the top 100 schools in the state, with outstanding academics and athletics alike.
Riverside parks offer trails, fishing and community festivals
Locals can enjoy the wealth of nature that Highland Park has to offer, with two riverside parks offering both stunning views and outdoor enjoyment. Strickland says, “Donaldson Park is fantastic, with a lot of different events such as Greek Day and other big festivals. Johnson Park is a great place for running and fishing, as it’s along the Raritan River; it’s a convenient place for those who like hanging out outdoors.” At the center of town, Veterans’ Park is home to a statue commemorating the “Doughboy” soldiers who fought in World War I.
A central location with quick drives to New Brunswick and NYC
As for location, Highland Park residents have the advantage of being in proximity to New York. Strickland says, “Highland Park is at the center of Central Jersey; you can’t get any more central than this. You’re about 45 minutes from New York, and New Brunswick is just five minutes away. You have a train that goes directly to New York City, and a lot of people who work in New York choose to live here because of the close drive.”
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