Former vacation spot turns into a year-round small town
The Roaring 20s launched Lake Hopatcong into ultimate vacation haven status, but now it’s a year-round residential spot. Not only is this the largest lake in New Jersey, but residents have the benefit of accessing shopping and dining by boat – another rare feature. Tourism still plays a part in the local economy, but just one highway traverses the far eastern edge, which maintains the community’s insular and exclusive status. Only 12,000 people live here, and they can venture into even quieter stretches on the east side at Mount Arlington Municipal Beach. Even though Bear Pond on the west side is privately owned, residents are permitted to wander trails along the shoreline. Or they can go to Lake Musconetcong on the southern border. This is truly the land of the lakes. “Sussex County has 65 lakes,” says Juliet Lopez, a real estate agent at Keller Williams Integrity. “The motto is ‘people and nature together.’ When I moved here, I wanted more nature, an outdoor lifestyle. I got all of that and more.”
Aerial view of boat cruising on Lake Hopatcong.
Boaters crusing along Lake Hopatcong.
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Midcentury ranch-style homes mingle with modern traditional homes
Though it’s possible to find luxurious homes, as in other lakefront communities like neighboring Sparta, the median price of a home here is $471,000, higher than the national median. “You can get better deals here compared to Bergen County,” says Lopez. There was a building boom around World War II, so homebuyers will see plenty of styles reminiscent of that time. For example, simple ranch-style homes with lots that economically blend a bit of grass with decorative plantings are a common fixture here. But there are also plenty of modern traditional homes with sprawling lots. These tend to have more suburban amenities like driveways and attached garages.
Colorful homes in neighborhood in Hopatcong.
Scenic boathouse on the water on Lake Hopatcong.
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Jefferson Township Public Schools earns a B
Jefferson Township Public Schools receives a B-minus from Niche. Residents can also choose to attend Byram Township School District, which became an interdistrict school in 2013 and earns a B. “My kids go to Byram schools, which are absolutely amazing with great teachers, great staff and programs,” says Lopez. “They have tons of extracurriculars.”
Jefferson Township High School in Jefferson, NJ serves students in grades 9-12 and has a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1.
Jefferson Township Middle School in Jefferson, NJ received an overall Niche grade of B-.
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Hopatcong State Park offers trails, a museum and waterfront views
Boating and marinas are part of the lifestyle here. Pontoon boat rentals are available at Bridge Marina, and Lakeview Marina offers hydrobike rentals. The Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club is located on Bertrand Island in the middle of the lake. Hopatcong State Park has space to launch canoes or kayaks into the water. The park also has fields, trails, athletic facilities and picnic grounds. Fishing here is unrivaled. There aren’t many places in New Jersey where anglers can catch trout, bass, perch, catfish and herring all in one spot. The Lake Hopatcong Golf Club is an 18-hole mini-golf course with décor highlighting the area’s history. For even more history lessons, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum contains thousands of photos and memorabilia that tell the story of the area's past as a resort area frequented by celebrities like Babe Ruth used to frequent the area.
Man fishing with people camping out in Hopatcong State Park.
Hopatcong State Park features a playground on the water for families in
Mt. Arlington
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Shopping and dining along State Route 15
State Route 15 is lined with all sorts of shopping and fast-food chains. Places like Jefferson Diner, whose chrome exterior is immaculately retro, provide a large seating section and crowd favorites like burgers. But waterfront restaurants with views are essential to lake life. Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina is an upscale eatery with lots of seafood entrees. True to the lowkey setting, grocery shopping happens at a daily farmers market in a red barn building. Jst 4 miles south of the market, Rockaway Town Plaza includes Target and Costco.
Commuting to Manhattan on I-80
The surrounding area can be a bit rural, so it’s best to own a car. Route 15 runs north-south through town, intersecting with Interstate 80 just 4 miles south. Route 15 is best for reaching other regional lake destinations like Sparta, which has an extensive shopping district. I-80 leads to New York City. It takes about an hour to complete the 45-mile journey.
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