Secluded Hillburn is known for its school district and location
Known as Rockland County's best-kept secret, Hillburn is 42 miles from New York City, tucked between Interstate 87 and state Route 17. The community’s concealed location, highly rated school district, and access to transportation are major draws to the area. Hillburn borders New Jersey and is surrounded by a thick, forested area within the Ramapo Mountains. “Prior to selling there, I would pass through the area and never knew it was there. It’s a very small community, and everyone knows everybody else,” says Tristen Sierra, an associate broker with Real Broker NY, LLC. Sierra has been working in the industry for 8 years. “It's very centrally located, but it's also off the beaten path. No one really knows about it. It's two square miles and a super cute little area.”
Students attend highly rated schools
Suffern Central School District receives an A from Niche and serves the area. Children may attend Sloatsburg Elementary, which gets an A-minus, for Kindergarten through second grade and Montebello Elementary, which receives a B-plus, for third through fifth grade. Students continue to Suffern Middle, which gets an A-minus, and Suffern High, which gets an A. High school students who wish to pursue studies in STEM may enroll in Pathway to Engineering, a program that readies them for a career in a related field.
Single-family homes in revival styles
Homes are built close together along gridded streets, and some are bordered by sidewalks. Houses are situated on manicured yards, some with backyards big enough for in-ground pools. “Most houses are passed down family to family, given to a child or a cousin,” says Sierra. “Older homes are updated, so you have that old charm with modern utilities.” Residences are mainly single-family homes in the Dutch Colonial Revival, Colonial Revival and minimal traditional styles. Homes range from $260,000 to $600,000.
Commuters use popular roadways and public transportation
“Most of the people I’ve worked with don’t work in the area,” says Sierra. “Many of them work in the city or have remote jobs.” The Palisades Interstate Parkway leads to New York City, 42 miles from Hillburn. US Route 202 leads into Mahwah, New Jersey, 4 miles away. The Suffern train station, 3 miles from Hillburn, is along the Main Line of the New Jersey Transit Railroad and reaches the Secaucus Junction in 35 minutes.
The Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern is 4 miles away, and the Westchester County Airport is 32 miles away. Lighthouse Worship Center and Brook Presbyterian Church are houses of worship within Hillburn.
Parks and recreation at community centers
Veterans Memorial Park is an open green space surrounding a lake, encircled by walking trails, trees and a gazebo. Outside the Hillburn Youth Center is a baseball field and a hard-top basketball court with a playground. The Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community Center is 2 miles from Hillburn, and has an indoor gym, football field and a sports bubble for outdoor sports in the off-season. The center also has programs throughout the year, such as fitness classes and arts and crafts. Every year, the center hosts seasonal events such as a Halloween party, where kids can show off their costumes and decorate a pumpkin. Harriman State Park, 5 miles from Hillburn, has 200 miles of scenic hiking trails and lakes with beaches for swimming during the summer months. Within the park is the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail, 2 miles away, and leads from Suffern to Bear Mountain State Park and passes through the scenic Nordkop Mountain.
Shopping and dining in Hillburn and Suffern
Outside the main residential area is Mt. Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, set upon a private mountain. The restaurant serves hibachi cuisine and has a rentable event space. Torne Valley Vineyard, 3 miles from Hillburn, offers weekend wine tastings and live music. More restaurants and retailers are along Lafayette Avenue in Suffern, 3 miles away. Da Nina Italian Restaurant serves classic dishes in a brick building. Down the street, Sushi Bada is an upscale sushi bar offering craft cocktails. Lining the same street are Alta Irpinia and Suffern Supermarket for groceries.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
John Gallino
