Oxford offers small-town living with colonial roots
Amid the backdrop of Oxford Mountain, tree-lined roads give way to Oxford Township, a Warren County community dating back to 1798. While Oxford offers a slow pace of life, residents are 35 miles from Allentown and 65 miles from New York . “It’s really just a slice of the country, right there still in reach of big cities,” says Thomasina Cerciello, an agent at EXIT Realty Connections and longtime resident of the area. “There’s a real rural charm to the area that a lot of people don’t think of when they think about New Jersey.” The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Oxford’s range of architectural styles
Amongst the hills, farms and trees, buyers will find homes lining gridded streets, clustered in a subdivision and dotted along rural roads. In the gridded center of the township, residences dating back to the 1800s include New Englander-style homes with second-story balconies and brick chimneys. New Traditional homes with larger lots characterize the subdivision layout, while ranch-style homes and farmhouses are more common along rural roads. Single-family home prices range from about $100,000 to $575,000, depending on factors like age and size. About 84% of homes here are owner-occupied.
Public school choice available to Oxford students
New Jersey has an Interdistrict Public School Choice Program. There are a limited number of spaces per district; once the maximum number of students is enrolled, the district holds a lottery and develops a waitlist. The Oxford Township School District serves Oxford; it includes only one school, Oxford Central School. Prekindergartners through eighth graders may attend Oxford Central School, which earns a B-minus from Niche. It’s known for its archery program, with fifteen state championships. Students may then move on to B-rated Warren Hills Regional High School, which is known for its emphasis on STEM education.
Hiking and history in Oxford
Oxford Mountain—part of the Appalachian Mountains—rises more than 950 feet and provides bikers, hikers and walkers with winding trails and scenic forest views. Lake Marguerite Wildlife Refuge has more trails, along with a cascading waterfall and a fishing pond. Another natural scenic area is Oxford Furnace Lake, which allows swimming and kayaking. “Oxford Furnace Lake and the area around it are stunning,” Cerciello says. “It just feels like picturesque countryside.” It’s named after the landmark in the center of Oxford: The Oxford Furnace was the longest-running Colonial-era furnace, producing iron from 1741 until 1884. Across the street, the free Shippen Manor Museum preserves the Georgian-style stone home of the furnace’s original owners.
Shopping and dining in and around Oxford
Though Oxford’s shopping options are sparse, Wall Street features a handful of local businesses along its brick sidewalks, including a bakery, nail salon and tailor shop. Hot Dog Johnny’s has been a fast food pitstop along U.S. 46 since 1944. Oxford Market is a convenience store that caters to quick grab-and-go items; otherwise, residents have to leave the township for groceries. In the neighboring borough of Washington , locals can find groceries at ShopRite, or try out other eateries, bakeries and diners. About 5 miles north, Four Sisters Winery is a family-owned spot that’s popular for after-work meetups with friends and family. It hosts private events as well as tastings, grape stomping and “Murder Mystery” evenings. Big-box stores like Walmart are about 12 miles away in Hackettstown .
Navigating Oxford Township by car
Oxford is a car-dependent community with no public transportation. The township is situated between Interstates 78 and 80, keeping drivers well-connected to the region. Additionally, Route 31 runs through Oxford and connects with U.S. Route 46. Oxford is about 30 miles from Lehigh Valley International Airport and 12 miles from emergency care at Hackettstown Medical Center.
