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.
Crime
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Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Brendan Rogers
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ami-Sasha Thadani,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Lake Hopatcong, NJ sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake Hopatcong, NJ over the last 12 months is $555,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream home at 15 Sachem Road, an exquisite contemporary masterpiece in the highly sought-after Lake Winona community! This stunning residence is designed to impress, featuring an oversized kitchen adorned with gleaming granite countertops, a vast center island perfect for gatherings, and an inviting living area with soaring ceilings that seamlessly flows into the dining room and
Welcome to this beautifully maintained raised ranch, situated on a corner lot. Storage room on the ground level that can be converted into an office. Come see the charm of this spacious 3 bedroom. Fireplace is AS-IS, no known issues. Owners never used. Wrap around deck with screened in section. TWO above ground oil tanks outside. Attached garage with plenty of additional parking.
One of a kind - 4 bedroom(Possible 5th if you convert the Study) , 9 ft ceiling with 18 ft in living room, full finished basement with central air and heat , fully paid up solar , 23 Kw full house generator ,NEST on all floors, sprinkler system , large fenced back yard with 8 ft retailing walls , wooden floors and more. Very energy efficient home .
Welcome to your dream home at 15 Sachem Road, an exquisite contemporary masterpiece in the highly sought-after Lake Winona community! This stunning residence is designed to impress, featuring an oversized kitchen adorned with gleaming granite countertops, a vast center island perfect for gatherings, and an inviting living area with soaring ceilings that seamlessly flows into the dining room and
Location Alert! Lakefront Home on Lake Hopatcong! This unique lakefront home offers approximately 100 feet of water frontage with main lake views. Enjoy front-row seats to the spectacular 4th of July fireworks and effortless access to some of the lake's most popular restaurants and bars. Boasting an extraordinarily long dock, an open boathouse with lift that features entry into a spacious
Great opportunity to own in desirable area of Lake Hopatcong. Property once had a small restaurant that was removed by prior owners. Variance required to build.
Welcome to this beautifully maintained raised ranch, situated on a corner lot. Storage room on the ground level that can be converted into an office. Come see the charm of this spacious 3 bedroom. Fireplace is AS-IS, no known issues. Owners never used. Wrap around deck with screened in section. TWO above ground oil tanks outside. Attached garage with plenty of additional parking.
30+ Acres located at the Water Village subdivisions presents multiple use opportunities in this wonderful area. Buyer is responsible for any permits, test etc. Buyer to do their due diligence with the township.
WERONIKA YILDIRIMCHRISTIE'S INT. REAL ESTATE GROUP
BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION " TO BE BUILT! Welcome to this fantastic 4-bedroom Colonial located in the desirable Lake Forest section of Jefferson Township. Construction starting soon! This home will feature a bright, open floor plan on the main level, perfect for today's lifestyle and entertaining. The spacious primary suite offers a full en-suite bath and walk-in closet. Three additional bedrooms are
One of a kind - 4 bedroom(Possible 5th if you convert the Study) , 9 ft ceiling with 18 ft in living room, full finished basement with central air and heat , fully paid up solar , 23 Kw full house generator ,NEST on all floors, sprinkler system , large fenced back yard with 8 ft retailing walls , wooden floors and more. Very energy efficient home .
Rare opportunity to own a beautiful undeveloped lot to build your dream home. This is raw land. Lot size 433 sq ft. x 136 sq ft. approximately 1.37 Acres. Buyers do your due diligence. Seller has no documents. Just minutes away to launch your boat and enjoy life on Lake Hopatcong. Close to Rt 80 to NY or PA.
Experience the perfect balance of elegance and function in this beautiful 4/5 bedroom, 3.5-bath Colonial set on a private .63-acre property. From the moment you arrive, you'll be captivated by the home's timeless curb appeal & serene setting that surrounds it.Inside, an open and inviting floor plan showcases rich HW floors, custom millwork, and a gourmet kitchen complete with a center island,
This 4 Bedroom NEW construction custom built home combines a unique style of classic architure with contemporary finishings. This home will feature hardwood floors throughout the house, quartz countertops, shaker cabinets in the kitchen, double front doors with glass inserts on the side, smart toilets with heated seats, night light, remote control, soft close toilets, & emergency flush in all 4
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own an incredibly versatile property just minutes from Lake Hopatcong. Ideal for remote work, private practice, or a small business setup, this spacious home offers flexibility on every level. The first floor features a highly adaptable layout with 3 bedrooms, a cozy living room, two bonus rooms perfect for offices or guest use, a convenient kitchenette, half
Jefferson Place is an 80-unit luxury rental community in Jefferson Township, NJ. Located just off Route 15 and adjacent to a QuickChek, Jefferson Place will offer 32 one- and two-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 855 square feet to 1,216 square feet.The community features luxury amenities including an indoor fitness center, outdoor lounge and grilling areas, elevators making it
Available now! Second-floor 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit located in the desirable Jefferson Gardens Apartments, conveniently situated just off Route 15 and minutes from major highways including Routes 80 and 287. This inviting home features brand new carpet throughout and a well-proportioned layout that offers a cozy living space. Step outside to your own private deck, perfect for enjoying fresh air or
Jefferson Ridge Apartments, located just off Route 15 South in Jefferson Township, Morris County, gives residents the opportunity to live in a suburban like setting while enjoying the convenience of being just minutes away from transportation, services, and shopping. Rockaway Mall is just a short distance from the complex, along with several major commuting routes (15, 80, and 46). Public
BEAUTIFUL SPACIOUS COLONIAL SPREAD OUT OVER THREE LEVELS, COMPLETE WITH MULTI ROOMED FINISHED BASEMENT WITH REC ROOM, MEDIA ROOM, 2ND OFFICE & STORAGE ROOM. LOCATED ON A QUIET STREET WITH LEVELED WOODED PROPERTY IN FRONT, SCENIC BACKYARD & A SIDEWALK COMMUNITY. PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR WORRY FREE LIVING & SOLAR POWER FOR REDUCED ENERGY COSTS. GREAT AREA OF HOMES WITH TENNIS COURTS, PLAYGROUNDS &
Freshly Painted and New Carpets, Heat and Hot Water Included in Rent, Laundry on Site, Access to New Jersey's Largest Lake and Nearby Playground with Tennis and Basketball Courts, Hiking Trails.
Luxury 1 Bedroom + Den at Jefferson Place -- a premier luxury community offering modern living and exceptional convenience. This spacious 1-bedroom with den features an open-concept layout, contemporary finishes, private deck, large, in-unit laundry, and tons of natural light -- perfect for today's lifestyle needs. Community amenities include an indoor fitness center, thoughtfully designed
1 MONTH FREEB BRAND NEW!! Luxury 2 Bedroom at Jefferson Place -- a premier luxury community offering modern living and exceptional convenience. This spacious 1-bedroom with den features an open-concept layout, contemporary finishes, and abundant natural light -- perfect for today's lifestyle needs. Community amenities include an indoor fitness center, thoughtfully designed outdoor lounge and
1 FREE MONTH! Luxury 1 Bedroom + Den at Jefferson Place -- a premier luxury community offering modern living and exceptional convenience. This spacious 1-bedroom with den features an open-concept layout, contemporary finishes, private deck, large, in-unit laundry, and tons of natural light -- perfect for today's lifestyle needs. Community amenities include an indoor fitness center, thoughtfully
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