Millstone Township's historic buildings balanced by modern homes
Millstone Township is a more rural area than its Monmouth County neighbors. The area’s earliest residents were Lenape Native Americans, and later, farmers settled the township. Today, Millstone is still home to family farms, though the area is balanced with newer features, like homes spread out among the forests and hills. The landscape is a major draw for new residents, but people can also access some shopping, dining and interstates. “It’s more rural. For somebody who really loves the country, they love being in Millstone," says Alan Kurlander, a Realtor, team leader and global luxury expert at The Alan Kurlander Team with Coldwell Banker. “Millstone people are a culture unto themselves. They’re very community-minded. It’s the kind of neighborhood where everyone is looking to help each other.” Some of Millstone’s historic buildings are now community centers — just one way the township aims to keep the past in focus while still working toward the future.
Single-family homes, from New Traditional mansions to fixer-uppers
“A lot of the homes were built in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but you're going to see newer homes,” Kurlander says. “There are beautiful and magnificent homes.” The median sale price for homes in Millstone is $987,000, more than double the nearly $423,000 national median. Homes that sell for around $2 million often have farmhouse or New Traditional designs, sprawling lots and, usually, no HOA fees. Most homes have colonial-inspired architecture and sell for at least $700,000. The least expensive properties have sold for $335,000, though the homes needed repairs. Due to the more rural setting, homes run on well water and septic tank systems.
Community events at the Baird Homestead
Since history is at Millstone’s core, many annual events center around locations managed by the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties. The Thomas Baird Homestead was built around 1850, making it the oldest home in the township. Friends of MTHRP manage the property and host events like school tours and the annual Stars and Stripes Agricultural Fair. Millstone Day takes over Millstone Park every September, with live music, food trucks and local vendors.
Driving to Newark or the shore
Homes have plenty of space between one another. While some residential streets have sidewalks, most do not. Driving is the main way to get around the area and to work. A trip to Newark or the Newark Liberty International Airport is about 45 miles using Interstate 95. Interstate 195 leads around 27 miles to Belmar and the beach. The nearest hospital is CentraState Medical Center, 7 miles away, in Freehold. The oldest church in the area is Clarksburg Episcopal Methodist Church, now owned by the Friends to be used as a community center. Active places of worship include Congregation Anshei Roosevelt and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Some Italian restaurants and retail destinations near home
“If you’re going to go shopping, you’re going to go to Manalapan or Marlboro,” Kurlander says. Manalapan and Marlboro are full of some of Central Jersey’s best restaurants, Kurlander says. Closer to home, there are casual Italian restaurants: Bella Napoli and GianMarco’s. Albivi is a more elevated, family-owned Italian restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas and garlic bread.
Residents might shop at stores like Coach or Calvin Klein at the Jackson Premium Outlets, 5 miles from home, or they drive 9 miles to the Freehold Raceway Mall. Two Rivers Gourmet Mushrooms is one of the family farms in the area that grows produce residents can purchase online and pick up at the farm. The Rising Sun Farm and Country Store sells fresh-cut flower bouquets, baked goods and locally sourced soap.
Learning in Millstone Township and later in Allentown
Millstone Township School District gets a B-plus from Niche. The B-rated Millstone Township Primary School offers prekindergarten through second grade, while Millstone Township Elementary School receives a B-plus and serves third- through fifth-grade classes. Millstone Township Middle School also has a B-plus. Students later transition to Allentown High School, rated A-minus.
Exploring Perrineville Lake Park or getting passes to Six Flags
Millstone has a few small parks. Abate Park has basketball and tennis courts near a playground, while the playground at Wagner Farm Park neighbors a large field used for football and lacrosse. The largest public green space, though, is Perrineville Lake Park. The park’s over 1,200 acres hold forests, previous farmland, hiking trails and lakes open to fishing and boating. Monmouth County residents get discounted golf pass fees to play the 18-hole Charleston Springs Golf Course. Millstone is also 10 minutes from Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a popular water park with towering water slides. Certain Six Flags season passes allow visitors to access the water park and the nearby Wild Safari, where guides drive open-air vehicles past over 1,000 animals.
