Hope Township offers countryside living and access to Interstate 80
Founded in 1769, Hope Township in Warren County is one of the earliest planned communities in the U.S. This northwest New Jersey community is largely made up of farms and dense patches of trees. “It’s rural, but I like to call it distant suburban,” says John Kruk, the owner of Re/Max Town and Valley and lifelong resident of Warren County. “It feels rural with it being so outdoorsy and close-knit, but you still have access to a lot.” Interstate 80 crosses through the township, giving residents convenient access to the major highway that crosses the country from Teaneck to San Francisco. Hope’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Variety of home styles along Hope’s country roads
Homes here range from those built in the late 1700s to as recently as the early 2000s, and collectively reflect both traditional and contemporary styles. Prospective homebuyers may find Colonial Revivals, some of which feature Tudor accents, along with ranch-style homes and colonial farmhouses. “Besides older traditional types, you also find a lot more custom builds in and around Hope,” Kruk says. “There are fewer housing developments, so there are more stand-alone homes—usually on a few acres, at least.” Due to the spread-out nature of the area, homes sit on lots large enough for gardening, porches and driveways. Prices typically rise in accordance with the size of the home and the lot it sits on, ranging from about $180,000 to $750,000. “Even with the more modern homes that have started to pop up, the area remains older and established in personality,” says Jennifer Pickett, an agent at Compass Realty who sells in the area. “It still has that relaxed, farmland feel to it.”
Seasonal events and outdoor fun at Hope’s local parks and lakes
With Hope’s gentle hills and open farmlands, there’s plenty of room for appreciating nature. Swayze Mill Park offers catch-and-release bass fishing and hosts the summer Fishing Derby, when residents come out for food, music and friendly competition. Every September, the park also hosts the annual town picnic that features games and food trucks. At nearby Jenny Jump State Forest, visitors can cross-country ski, hike trails or enjoy a weekend camping trip. During the winter months, Ghost Lake and Mountain Lake are two popular spots for ice skating. The Land of Make Believe is an amusement park that has entertained local families since 1954.
Small-town shopping and dining scene in Hope
Hope Bridgeville Road crosses through the small downtown area, past a toy store, antique store and coffee shop. “Hope Township has a really cute little downtown area,” Pickett says. “In the whole area, there’s a lot of history, and it really reflects the agricultural nature of the township.” The Inn at Millrace Pond is located what was once the Moravian Grist Mill, originally built in 1769. The inn’s restaurant is known for its rustic aesthetic and farm-to-table American cuisine. Groceries require a drive outside of the township; ShopRite, Walmart and other chain retailers are located in Hackettstown, about 10 miles away.
Hope Township Elementary School and Belvidere High School
Students may begin at Hope Township Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. It is within the Hope Township School District, which accepts applications for out-of-district transfers through the state’s school choice program. Students may then move on to B-minus-rated Belvidere High School in the Belvidere School District, about 10 miles south. High schoolers can take advantage of small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 and choose clubs including the Spanish National Honor Society, Ski Club or the Belvidere Singers.
Driving and commuting in Hope Township
Hope is a car-dependent community with no public transit. Interstate 80 crosses the township, taking drivers about 60 miles east to New York City and about 9 miles west to the Pennsylvania-New Jersey state line. Hope is about 12 miles from emergency care at Hackettstown Medical Center and about 35 miles northeast of commercial air travel at Lehigh International Airport.
