Netcong has a lakefront and dining close to hotspots
On the southern edge of Lake Musconetcong, Netcong is a quiet borough with waterfront parks, a little downtown and a New Jersey Transit train station. With just over 3,300 residents, it’s a relatively friendly place. “It’s a very close-knit community,” says Lisa Peluso, a Realtor at RE/MAX Town and Valley II who has been selling homes here for 22 years. “I had a listing there a couple years back, and I can’t tell you how many people came into my open house with stories of having known the people that lived there, the people that lived there before them.” Another major draw to Netcong, Peluso says, is its location close to a lot of local touchstones, from the bigger Lake Hopatcong about 3 miles away to nearby towns like Mt. Olive, Hackettstown and Roxbury.
A golden sunset reflects off Lake Musconetcong in Netcong, casting a warm glow that captures the peaceful magic of lakeside living.
Don't miss out on getting a potted plant at the Hopatcong Market to bring new life into your home.
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Kayaking, fishing and occasional ice skating on Lake Musconetcong
DiRenzo Park is small and has a playground and a covered picnic area with views of the water. Dominick Arbolino Memorial Park is also on the water and has tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field and outdoor fitness equipment. There’s also a small pier where residents can fish or launch small craft out onto Lake Musconetcong. “It’s not a motorboat lake, but you can kayak, you can paddleboard, you can fish,” Peluso says. During the winter, the lake sometimes freezes enough for skating or ice fishing. Nearby, Lake Hopatcong allows swimming and motorboats, making it popular for bigger activities like boating, jet-skiing and tubing.
Direnzo Park in Netcong brings families together with its colorful, tree-shaded playground where kids can climb, slide, and laugh beneath the summer canopy.
Man fishing with people camping out in Hopatcong State Park.
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Homes starting at $340,000
Sidewalks thread along both sides of the street in Netcong, crossing in front of colonials, American Foursquares and Cape Cods. Most yards are well under half an acre. Prices start at about $340,000 for fixer-uppers and can climb as high as $700,000 for an updated home, whether it’s on the water or not. There are a collection of waterfront homes, often with little private docks onto the lake, but they typically fit into this range as well. Most homes fall well below Netcong’s max price, though, as its median home price is about $445,000.
Netcong’s tree-lined streets blend architectural charm with colorful gardens and a warm neighborhood rhythm that welcomes newcomers.
This cozy taupe cottage in Netcong delights with its tidy landscaping, classic dormers, and the kind of porch that feels made for morning coffee.
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Netcong Day and longstanding Catholic festivals
Every September is marked by Netcong Day, which features a 5K, live music and food trucks. The borough also celebrates two big Catholic festivals. The Feast of St. Cesario, which has been a tradition here for over 120 years, is an all-day affair. It starts with a morning mass that flows into a parade and the auctioning of a St. Cesario’s banner before an evening carnival. “They have food and rides and live music,” Peluso says. The Feast of the Assumption is similar, starting with mass and ending with a carnival and fireworks.
Downtown with locally owned restaurants, The Growing Stage theater
Most of Netcong’s locally owned restaurants and handful of services are stretched along Main Street or Ledgewood Avenue. Rose’s Diner is a popular breakfast spot and Ron’s Landmark has been a staple for Italian food since 1978. Polo’s Bar & Grill is a locally owned sports bar known for its wings and drink selection. Just outside Netcong, the hilltop Bell’s Mansion is also a major local touchstone, located in a historic building that dates to 1835 and offers views of the Morris Canal. “It’s gorgeous; it has a large, mirrored oak bar from the 1800s, originally from a hotel in Pennsylvania,” Peluso says. “It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant. You can eat indoors and outdoors.” Peluso says Netcong is also home to The Growing Stage, a children’s theater where plays and musicals are acted in and enjoyed by children. There’s a ShopRite for groceries in Netcong, but most other shopping is in nearby communities like Mt. Olive, which has a Walmart, T.J. Maxx and Lowe’s about 2 miles away. For a full day of shopping, Rockaway Mall has dozens of major retailers and chain restaurants just over 9 miles away.
Ron’s Landmark welcomes locals and visitors alike with its vintage wood-paneled charm and stained-glass details that make Netcong dining feel intimate and timeless.
The Palace Theatre brings bold color and boundless imagination to Netcong’s heart, where families gather and creativity takes center stage.
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Highly rated Lenape Valley High
Children attend Netcong Elementary School, which Niche gives a B, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. From there, students move on to Lenape Valley Regional High School, which Niche gives a B-plus and ranks among the top three public high schools in Sussex County. The school was named a 2024 Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence and offers extracurriculars like newspaper, robotics and Dungeons & Dragons clubs.
Netcong Elementary School serves students in the Mt Arlington community.
Aerial view of Lenape Valley Regional High School campus in Byram.
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Highway access, St. Clare’s Dover Hospital and trains to NYC
Netcong has easy access to U.S. Route 46, which is also known as Main Street, state Route 183 and Interstate 80. St. Clare’s Dover Hospital is about 7 miles away in nearby Roxbury. The borough’s train takes passengers to Manhattan’s Penn Station in about two hours.
Moderate potential for flooded roads during heavy rainfall
Hurricanes or tropical storms occasionally pass over Netcong, bringing high winds and heavy rain. Storms with heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, which led to the closure of Main Street in 2012 and the closure of Route 183 in 2024.
Written By
Christina Norwood
Photography Contributed By
Elma Kukaj
Video By
Dan Mack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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Introducing this charming ranch-style home in the heart of Netcong, ideally located just minutes from Route 80 and the scenic shores of Lake Hopatcong. Hitting the market for the very first time, this spacious gem sits on a rare double lot and offers the ease of one-floor living with hardwood flooring hidden beneath the carpets. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, the home includes a
Charming 3 bedroom, 2 full bath front porch Colonial in an ideal commuter location! Convenient first floor primary bedroom with nicely-updated full bathroom with shower. Ample cabinet and countertop space in the kitchen with center island and stainless steel appliances. Upgraded flooring in the living & dining room. The second floor features two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom.
This mother-and-daughter home features 3 bedrooms on the first floor and 2 bedrooms on the second, with a full kitchen on each level. Both owners are actively searching for their next home and the sale is contingent on them finding suitable housing. Property is being sold in as-is condition great opportunity to make it your own!
Introducing this charming ranch-style home in the heart of Netcong, ideally located just minutes from Route 80 and the scenic shores of Lake Hopatcong. Hitting the market for the very first time, this spacious gem sits on a rare double lot and offers the ease of one-floor living with hardwood flooring hidden beneath the carpets. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, the home includes a
Charming 3 bedroom, 2 full bath front porch Colonial in an ideal commuter location! Convenient first floor primary bedroom with nicely-updated full bathroom with shower. Ample cabinet and countertop space in the kitchen with center island and stainless steel appliances. Upgraded flooring in the living & dining room. The second floor features two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom.
This mother-and-daughter home features 3 bedrooms on the first floor and 2 bedrooms on the second, with a full kitchen on each level. Both owners are actively searching for their next home and the sale is contingent on them finding suitable housing. Property is being sold in as-is condition great opportunity to make it your own!
Large Space for Less Money in Morris County, Welcome Home To The Crown Walk In Netcong!Our vibrant New Construction rental community, where convenience meets comfort. Open floor plans with large closets to meet all your needs. Our amenities are designed to enhance your lifestyle, offering everything from business workstations to meeting rooms, pool table with Lounge and a bustling community
Spacious Two bedroom unit in front of building features open floor plan, carpet, kitchen w/Oak Cabs, DW, Refrigerator & large pantry closet, private balcony... Laundry on each level, Community Room offers great place to gather and enjoy recreation activities including pool table & exercise room? Back paver patio overlooks pond & Gazebo, offering additional seating & gas grill.. Easy walk to town
After that long day at work, it is a pleasure returning to the warm and friendly atmosphere of your home at Netcong Heights Apartments. Both our spacious, one bedroom and two bedroom models offer plenty of room to stretch out and relax. Standard amenities like heat and hot water, air conditioning, oak floors, abundant closet space and a well-equipped kitchen enhances the comfort and convenience
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