A lakeside lifestyle in Mount Arlington
In Mount Arlington, you can vacation where you live. "Mount Arlington has really old lakefront homes that have historical significance. Some of them used to be hotels or private residences from back in the day that are still standing," says Realtor Patrick Bolger with The Holmquist Group of Keller Williams Metropolitan. Bolger notes that Lotta Crabtree, a celebrated actress in the 1800s, had an 18-room summer cottage in Mount Arlington. The home, where Crabtree held parties, rode horses and painted, still stands. Her former estate recently hit the market for $3.5 million. Today, Mount Arlington residents still enjoy lake life at this former summer resort community for New Yorkers, but most of them enjoy it 365 days a year.
Condos and single-family homes on or near the water
You can live lakeside — or just minutes from the water — in Mount Arlington. You can find a condominium with two bathrooms and two bedrooms for around $310,000; a three-bedroom, one-bathroom colonial for roughly $470,000; a custom-built 2022 craftsman-style lake house with four bedrooms and five bathrooms for about $800,000; or a lakefront condominium complete with a private boat deck, a gym and pool for about $850,000. Mount Arlington is home to several 55 and older communities, like The Carriage House and Nolan's Ridge.
Recreation centered on Lake Hopatcong and local parks
While many folks associate Lake Hopatcong, the largest freshwater body of water in the entire state, with nearby Hopatcong, the lake is also part of Mount Arlington. In fact, most of the lake's iconic history originates from the Mount Arlington side, Bolger says. "There used to be a lakefront amusement park on Bertrand Island. It had a roller coaster and merry-go-round," Bolger says. While the park closed in the 1980s, Mount Arlington is home to the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club. Recognized by the national and New Jersey Register of Historic Places, the yacht club hosts many social events in the spring and summer, like the annual antique boat show and Fourth of July fireworks. Young residents can join junior sailing leagues and there are weekly dinners for members. If the yacht club isn’t for you, your happy place could be Mount Arlington Municipal Beach, a public space for residents to enjoy the lake. At Memorial Park, you can walk among the tall trees or bring your kids to the Fireman's Field Park playground. The Berkshire Valley Wildlife Management Area runs parallel to the town. You can go hiking and find Snoopy, the famous beagle from the "Peanuts" comic strip. (Someone has playfully made a doghouse and placed a Snoopy figurine inside).
Well-rated schools in the Mount Arlington School District
Local kids can attend the Mount Arlington School District through the eighth grade. At Mount Arlington Public School, the district's middle school, students can participate in sports programs and student council. The middle school has an overall A-minus rating from Niche, including an A-minus for teachers, academics and diversity. High schoolers attend Roxbury High, where they can enroll in college-level courses from Seton Hall University, Fairleigh Dickson University and William Patterson University. Roxbury High staff teaches college-level classes. Roxbury High has an overall A-minus rating from Niche, including an A for sports and B-plus for teachers, academics and college preparation.
Local eateries offering creative pizzas, seafood and Jersey bagels
Local eats include Lakeside Eatery, where you can enjoy a breakfast sandwich or pancakes in the morning, and once lunchtime comes around, you can pretty much any pizza topping you want. Pizzas include baked ziti, chicken parmesan and salad. At Pub 199, where deer heads and fish adorn the walls, feast on fresh seafood like clams, lobster and shrimp. If seafood isn't your favorite, no worries, you can order a T-bone steak or grill favorites like hamburgers. For even more pizza, order slices from Frank's Pizza and remember to stop in The Bagel Place for a New Jersey bagel.
