Middlesex

Located at the northwestern tip of Middlesex County and just a stone’s throw from the winding Raritan River, the borough of Middlesex is the emblematic Raritan Valley suburb. This formerly agricultural community rapidly transformed into a commuter suburb of New York during the 1950s, and its vintage housing stock, its baseball and football fields, and its wealth of Italian restaurants harken back to its early years of growth. Middlesex is brimming with suburban charm, from its historic houses to its family-style restaurants, all of which help make this borough stand out among its peers.

Middlesex shares much of its history with neighboring Piscataway, one of the original settlements of colonial New Jersey. Formerly home to vast swathes of farmland, Middlesex’s location along the quiet Raritan Valley and near Interstate 287 led to this community’s suburban explosion after World War II. Its grid-patterned residential streets are evocative of this period, from its bungalows and ranch-style residences to its older family homes. Middlesex’s homes sell for between $400,000 and $430,000, significantly below the county average of $475,000; Middlesex’s relatively inexpensive housing stock and status as an outer-ring suburb make this borough a tempting locale for New York commuters.

As its housing stock may hint, Middlesex is where old and new converge. This town has a vibrant culinary scene mixing old-school Italian restaurants with newer Colombian restaurants and bars, giving Middlesex an increasingly cosmopolitan feel. Among its well-established eateries is Jozanna’s, a family-run Italian restaurant with heaping portions of ravioli, penne vodka, and other Italian American classics. For the traditional white-tablecloth, fine dining experience, Vincenzo’s Ristorante has a glass of wine to match each of its Mediterranean flavors. Punto Colombiano offers its own unique flavors from South America; within this colorful restaurant is a menu of Colombian staples such as roast chicken and seafood as well as freshly baked pastries. For late-night drinks and live music, Ellery’s is a favorite watering hole among longtime locals.

Middlesex is also home to its own selection of retail conveniences along Bound Brook Road, much of which is concentrated at the Middlesex Shopping Center. This small plaza is home to a Route 28 Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, while a neighboring SuperFood Fresh Supermarket offers a wide array of grocery goods and its own deli section. For the old-school Italian deli experience, L&D Sapore Ravioli & Cheese, located at the heart of town, sells a cornucopia of Italian goods from olives, pasta, and salami to made-to-order sandwiches.

Within this densely populated borough are several small parks that invite local youths to try their swing at Simchock Park’s baseball field or play football at its neighboring football field. Victor Crowell Park, located along Ambrose Brook, is perfect for waterside picnics and goose-watching.

Middlesex’s students attend one of three local elementary schools, Mauger Middle School, and Middlesex High School. The local high school is rated “B” by Niche.com, with excellent language arts literacy rates and equally laudable tennis, baseball, and football programs.

Middlesex’s location near Interstate 187 offers commuters the opportunity to travel into New York City within an hour, while the college town of New Brunswick is just 20 minutes down Route 18. With great proximity to some of the area’s biggest job markets, Middlesex provides both excellent commuter opportunities and a classic suburban community to return to.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Video By

Joey Kaigler