A bygone summer retreat in the early 20th century, Lake Hiawatha is now home to year-round residents and maintains a residential, small-town feel. Contrary to its name, however, the area’s namesake lake has largely dried up. As a community within the vast Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, there’s a nearby reservoir, the Rockaway River, and other manmade lakes in the area. “It used to be seasonal living with bungalows and small homes, but the majority are being sold to builders because the value has gone up. Homes are getting bigger with new constructions, mainly colonials, over $1 million,” says Jennifer Pickett, a real estate agent with Compass who has sold several homes in the area. “There are also a lot of multi-generational families in the area, maybe 75 percent,” she adds.
The Rockaway river feeds into Lake Hiawatha's namesake lake.
You can find large colonial homes on Boonton Reservoir in Lake Hiawatha.
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Colonial and ranch-style homes with new construction
Buyers will encounter very limited stock in the area, and when a house does go up for sale, it typically gets snagged within a couple weeks. The market primarily consists of renovated midcentury properties, including split-level homes, quaint Cape Cods, colonial-style residences, and an impressive range of ranch-style properties. The median price is around $500,000 for a single-family home, but can go for $750,000 and up for newer, larger properties. One-bedroom condos go as low as $205,000. Averaging around 1,5000 square-feet, home sizes tend to be a bit smaller than the national average. “Houses are also a little bit closer together, but more affordable than neighboring Lake Parsippany,” Pickett says.
Most homes in Lake Hiawatha are colonial style with vinyl siding.
Ranch homes, large and small, can be found throughout Lake Hiawatha.
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A-rated schools with extracurricular activities
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District has highly-rated schools that attract many families. Elementary school students can attend Northvail Elementary School and Central Middle School, which both receive an A rating on Niche. Parsippany Hills High School, an A-plus-rated school that's ranked number six in the county, has a great range of athletic, academic, and extracurricular activities and programming.
Northvail School is one of the options for elementary students in Lake Hiawatha.
Students of Parsippany High School get to enjoy the extensive sporting fields.
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Popular swim club and recreation areas
Lake Hiawatha Swim Club has an Olympic-size swimming pool, a wading pool for young swimmers, diving boards and a waterslide. Residents also play volleyball and tennis with neighbors and enjoy live music, bonfires and movie nights. Next to the swim club is Lake Hiawatha Park, which has a large play area for kids and a small gazebo. At Volunteers Park, locals enjoy picnics in the grass, while some head to the skate park and athletic fields. For nature-immersion, residents head to nearby Lake Parsippany: “The township is all connected, and Lake Parsippany, which is only a five-to-10 minute drive away, has canoeing and swimming,” says Pickett.
Take a swim at the Lake Hiawatha Swim Club.
Veterans Memorial Park lies just south of the Boonton Reservoir in Lake Hiawatha.
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Walkable streets and specialty dining
“People buy here because things are walkable. There’s a stretch of stores with specialty foods, including Indian and Asian cuisines,” says Pickett. Residents stroll along sidewalks past mom-and-pop restaurants, dentist offices and small businesses like a comic book store, hair parlors and nail salons. Lake Hiawatha, like the entire township, has many Indian restaurants, including the Bollywood Grill and Vaishnav thali. Like any true Jersey community, there's at least one bagel shop within reach. Residents stop into Howard’s Bagel for their well-loved Taylor ham, egg and cheeses. Lake Hiawatha Dairy serves up homemade seasonal ice cream with fun flavors.
Residents of Lake Hiawatha can walk to the local shops downtown,
Outstanding Afghan and Mediterranean food can be found at Kabab Paradise in Lake Hiawatha.
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Major interstates and a bus to Manhattan
Residents can access several major highways, including NJ-495, US-46 and I-80, to get to NYC, the Jersey Shore or the Pennsylvania mountains. At the Beverwyck Park and Ride, locals can park their car and easily hop on a bus to Manhattan. “A lot of people take a bus to the city, which is about 45 minutes,” says Pickett. Interstate 80 and Interstate 287 converge in the middle of the township, while Route 10 and Route 46 are accessible from the interstates.
The Lake Hiawatha neighborhood is right near the junction of Routes 80 and 287.
Lake Hiawatha residents take advantage of the Beverwyck Park and Ride to get to the city.
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Things to know
“Lake Hiawatha has a lot of flood areas, but it really depends on the section,” says Pickett. Also, despite the name, there is no longer a large namesake lake in the neighborhood, but several others can be found within the boundaries of the township.
Written By
Amber Snider
Video By
Hunter Severtson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joseph Siano,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Lake Hiawatha, NJ sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake Hiawatha, NJ over the last 12 months is $556,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful renovated ranch in desirable upper Lake Hiawatha area! Offering the ease and comfort of true one-floor living, this inviting 3-bedroom, 1-bath home features a beautiful living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a large, updated eat-in kitchen.The outdoor space is truly special, with a large, level backyard, spacious patio, peaceful pond, and stone-built outdoor fireplace?perfect for
Welcome to 15 Sweetwood Ct., a beautifully maintained 5-bedroom, 3-bath home offering comfort, functionality, and modern updates. The renovated kitchen features white cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a dining area perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The living room boasts vaulted ceilings, skylights, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. A first-floor bedroom
Welcome to this Ranch style home features one floor living. Entry foyer, updated eat in kitchen, granite counter, skylight, S/S appliances, dining room. 2 bedroom, updated bath, Additional room can be used for in home office. Renovations in 2018 included roof, gutters, gas heater. Living room boast wood burning fire place. Fenced in yard, deck, 1 car garage. Home does need updating and work.
Wow!!! I give this a 5-star. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath Colonial was completely remodeled throughout with an open floor plan. Stunning living room with wood floors, custom built-ins and detailed moldings, formal dining room, newer kitchen with a breakfast bar, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and tile backsplash, breakfast room with doors leading to the deck, perfect for indoor-outdoor
Welcome to this warm and inviting 4-bedroom, 3-full-bath home built in 2022, designed with comfort and everyday living in mind. The main level offers a bright and open flow with a spacious living room, formal dining room, cozy family room, and a breakfast area overlooking the tree-lined backyard an ideal spot for morning routines and shared meals. The home features central AC, generous room
Back on the Market! Previous buyer's contract was canceled due to circumstances unrelated to the home's condition, creating another opportunity to own this charming and well-maintained corner-lot ranch. This 2-bedroom, 2 full bathroom home offers an inviting open floor plan with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, hardwood floors throughout, generous closet space, central air, and a cozy
BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION. Welcome to 136 Lake Shore Dr in Lake Hiawatha, a brand new rebuilt 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a truly one-of-a-kind contemporary design. From the moment you step through the front door, the home opens to a breathtaking view of the main living space, showcasing an impressive open layout, clean architectural lines, and a dramatic modern feel throughout. The kitchen offers
Beautiful renovated ranch in desirable upper Lake Hiawatha area! Offering the ease and comfort of true one-floor living, this inviting 3-bedroom, 1-bath home features a beautiful living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a large, updated eat-in kitchen.The outdoor space is truly special, with a large, level backyard, spacious patio, peaceful pond, and stone-built outdoor fireplace?perfect for
HANDYMAN SPECIAL!!! Exceptional investment opportunity in desirable Lake Hiawatha! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath ranch sits on a valuable lot and offers tremendous potential for builders, investors, and savvy buyers looking to create something special. Nestled in an established neighborhood with convenient access to major highways, shopping, dining, and local amenities, this property presents a rare
Welcome to 15 Sweetwood Ct., a beautifully maintained 5-bedroom, 3-bath home offering comfort, functionality, and modern updates. The renovated kitchen features white cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a dining area perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The living room boasts vaulted ceilings, skylights, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. A first-floor bedroom
Perfectly positioned in one of the area's most convenient locations, this impeccably maintained 4-bed Colonial offers the ideal blend of comfort, style, and move-in readiness. A 1st floor den/office with closet provides flexible space for an office or for guests. The beautifully renovated kitchen is the centerpiece of the home and adjoins to the laundry/pantry area with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry
Breathtaking scenery and beautiful landscaping is the hallmark of Knoll Gardens, an impressive collection of 1108 rental homes located in the quaint Morris County town of Lake Hiawatha.Units at Knoll Gardens offer one and two-bedroom apartments that range from 730 to 1120 square feet. Each spacious home includes air conditioning, a dishwasher, ample closet space, and a balcony in select
Sunny, bright and adorable, clean and freshly painted ranch style home with eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors throughout, cathedral ceiling in living room, Dining room/Den, large master bedroom. Laundry in basement. Plenty of Closets. Landlord requires credit score of 700, non-refundable NTN background check required. Driveway is shared with tenant in rear house on property. Tenant is responsible
Step into this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath Cape, beautifully renovated in 2023 and newly painted for a fresh, move-in-ready feel! The updated kitchen features modern shaker-style cabinets, sleek countertops, and a stylish tile backsplash. Enjoy brand-new vinyl flooring throughout the spacious living room and bedrooms. The home also offers a screened-in porch off the kitchen, perfect for relaxing
Don't miss this great rental in Upper Hiawatha! Features include 2 bedrooms, a den / 3rd bedroom, eat in kitchen, spacious living room with fireplace, updated bath, laundry room, central air, covered back porch, large deck, and more! This is a 1 year lease and does not include the garage
Looking for a charming rental bungalow on a deep flat lot with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. Welcome to a 2024 fully renovated home with a new kitchen and bath, new central air conditioning and new gas furnace, new floors throughout, freshly painted rooms, and a freshly painted deck. A new stack-able washer/dryer unit and new appliances add to the comforts of easy living. Off- street parking for 2 cars.
Welcome home to this freshly painted and beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.1-bathroom split-level home in Lake Hiawatha.The inviting front entrance opens to a spacious living room that flows seamlessly into the gourmet eat-in kitchen, creating a warm and functional space for everyday living and entertaining. A few steps up lead to two comfortable bedrooms, while another short flight of stairs
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