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Mountain Lakes

Mountain Lakes

$1,405,244 Average Value
$457 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

Why homebuyers choose the Mountain Lakes lifestyle

Mountain Lakes is a scenic borough in New Jersey, about 30 miles northwest of New York City. The community was designed around several man-made lakes, which continue to shape daily life with outdoor activities and events that reflect the changing seasons. Beyond the water, wooded trails lead to sweeping views, and stone walls and towering trees line the residential streets. Although the borough is steeped in nature, residents can commute to New York via nearby highways and NJ Transit rail service. But the top draw for families is the highly rated school district, ranked by Niche as the No. 1 district in Morris County.

Mountain Lakes is a borough that was developed around several man-made recreational lakes.
Mountain Lakes is a borough that was developed around several man-made recreational lakes.
Enjoy lakeside living in one of the waterfront properties in Mountain Lakes.
Enjoy lakeside living in one of the waterfront properties in Mountain Lakes.
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Mountain Lakes High School receives an A-plus from Niche.
Mountain Lakes High School receives an A-plus from Niche.

Families benefit from the top-rated Mountain Lakes School District

All three schools in the Mountain Lakes School District receive Niche grades of A-plus, and the overall student-teacher ratio is 9 to 1, giving classes a personalized feel. Life at Mountain Lakes High balances strong academics with a robust athletic program. “Mountain Lakes athletics are huge,” says Mary Menard, a Realtor with the Menard Group of Compass Realty. “They’ve had a history of amazing lacrosse teams.”

Craftsman-style homes anchor a mix of architectural styles

Mountain Lakes has one of the largest collections of Craftsman-influenced homes in the country, many of them original Hapgood designs from the early 1900s. But you’ll also find a variety of other styles, from Tudor to Colonial Revival to New Traditional. “Because a lot of the homes were built on large properties, over the years, the properties have been subdivided, and there are some newer homes sprinkled in,” says Menard, who was born and raised in Mountain Lakes. “But the houses are very nicely maintained, and people have done additions and improvements with the historic homes.” Many lots range from about a quarter-acre to three-quarters of an acre. Some homes have direct access to the lakes, though water views are more common than frontage. Low-lying properties may experience standing water following periods of heavy rainfall.

Find your dream lakefront home in Mountain Lakes.
Find your dream lakefront home in Mountain Lakes.
Architecture in Mountain Lakes is eclectic and rarely defined by one particular style.
Architecture in Mountain Lakes is eclectic and rarely defined by one particular style.
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Lakeside homes often command the highest prices in Mountain Lakes.
Lakeside homes often command the highest prices in Mountain Lakes.

What buyers can expect to pay for homes in Mountain Lakes

Mountain Lakes has a tight housing market with limited inventory. Listings move in about a month on average, faster than the national average of 56 days. Most sale prices range from the lower $600,000s to the mid-$2 millions, with a median around $1.2 million. Homes with larger yards or lake access tend to fall on the higher end of the spectrum. The borough’s property tax rates are typically higher than the countywide median, and the lion’s share of the taxes supports the Mountain Lakes School District.

Outdoor recreation revolves around the lakes and surrounding hills

The community’s lakes and rolling hills invite year-round outdoor activity. “All the lakes were man-made back when Mountain Lakes was being developed more than a hundred years ago,” Menard says. “It feels almost like living in a summer camp.” Residents enjoy the following:

  • Sandy swimming beaches
  • Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding
  • Lakeside picnics
  • Ice skating
Seasonal events like the Trout Derby fishing competition, the Bands on the Beach summer concert series and the Mountain Lakes Day celebration help keep things lively. Nearby, Tourne County Park offers more than 10 miles of trails that wind through forests and rock formations. On a clear day, a hike to the summit will reveal views stretching all the way to the NYC skyline.

When it's too cold for a swim, you can still enjoy the water on a paddleboard in Mountain Lakes.
When it's too cold for a swim, you can still enjoy the water on a paddleboard in Mountain Lakes.
Miles of wooded hiking trails await in Tourne County Park.
Miles of wooded hiking trails await in Tourne County Park.
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U.S. Route 46 and NJ Transit support regional commutes

U.S. Route 46 runs along the southern edge of Mountain Lakes and connects to Interstate 287 for regional commutes. Driving to Manhattan typically takes about an hour or more, depending on traffic. Additionally, the Mountain Lakes Station is served by the NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton Line, which links to Hoboken Terminal and New York Penn Station. That trip runs just over an hour, making it a practical alternative for commutes into the city.

Major highways connect Mountain Lakes to Manhattan for quick access to city life and culture.
Major highways connect Mountain Lakes to Manhattan for quick access to city life and culture.
U.S. Route 46 runs through the southern portion of Mountain Lakes.
U.S. Route 46 runs through the southern portion of Mountain Lakes.
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Where locals go for dining and grocery shopping

The borough offers a small selection of restaurants. Diners can visit these spots:

  • Hapgoods, a modern American eatery specializing in comfort food with a contemporary twist
  • Paul’s Diner, serving burgers, sandwiches and all-day breakfast since 1947
  • The Station at Mountain Lakes, an upscale scratch restaurant tucked inside the stone-studded train station
  • Barka Steak & Seafood, a fine dining destination featuring whole fish, steaks and handmade pasta
Morristown is about 10 miles away with more dining and nightlife, making it a popular spot for date nights. For groceries, there’s a Whole Foods Market near Route 46, plus gourmet items and local produce at King’s in nearby Boonton.

Paul's Diner, a Mountain Lakes landmark, has been feeding hungry patrons since the late 1940s.
Paul's Diner, a Mountain Lakes landmark, has been feeding hungry patrons since the late 1940s.
Whole Foods is near Route 46, making it a convenient grocery spot.
Whole Foods is near Route 46, making it a convenient grocery spot.
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Mountain Lakes offers small-town living in this part of New Jersey

How does Mountain Lakes compare to nearby townships and cities like Denville, Mendham and Summit? “The thing about Mountain Lakes is, it’s a smaller town,” Menard says. “People move here because they want their kids to be able to walk home after practice, or ride their bike to their friend’s house or the beach. Compared to places like Denville — those are much bigger, more sprawling towns.” Denville’s median home sale price of $700,000 is well below the median for Mountain Lakes. Meanwhile, if you expand your search to Mendham or Summit, you can expect home prices to be roughly on par with what you’d find here.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
John Gallino
Photography Contributed By
John Gallino
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Timothy Nees, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in Mountain Lakes, NJ

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
781
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1950
Months of Supply
2.20
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,667
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Open Houses

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Mountain Lakes Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
4
Median Rent
$4,900
Median Single Family Home Rent
$4,900
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$12,000

Demographics

Total Population
4,605
Median Age
42
Population Density
37 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$246,638
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$240,436

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
82.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
16''

Area Factors

Very bikeable

Bikeability®

80 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

40 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Mountain Lakes