Port Reading is trading an industrial past for a residential future
In the northeast corner of Woodbridge Township, Port Reading is a former industrial district embracing a more residential future. Since the oil refinery closed around 10 years ago, the area has been transforming into a modern bedroom community for New York City, a change made easier by access to the New Jersey Turnpike and the impending arrival of a city-bound ferry in neighboring Carteret. “Port Reading is a quiet neighborhood with starter homes,” says Sukhwinder Kaur, a Realtor with J.J. Elek Realty Co. who has sold several homes across the area. “It’s pretty much a mixture of old and new properties. Many of the older homes are being knocked down, and new ones are adding to the mix.”
Brand-new homes are replacing vintage properties
As one of 10 towns in Woodbridge, Port Reading is now home to nearly 4,000 people. Locals who don't commute to the city often work in trucking and transportation — including at the nearby Amazon warehouse — or in the retail sector. Much of the housing stock dates to the first half of the 20th century, when the community developed alongside the railroad and oil refining industries. These days, single-story and split-level homes from the 1910s to ’60s sell for $410,000 to $450,000, with styles including Cape Cod, ranch, bungalow and other vintage aesthetics. Recently built townhouses sell for $510,000 to $550,000, while New Traditionals can sell for $530,000 to $800,000. “I’ve sold quite a few homes where investors are buying properties and either knocking them down completely or keeping the basement and the first floor,” Kaur says, pointing to the number of renovations and new builds in the area. Port Reading also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Port Reading's parks offer sporting and kayaking opportunities
Though Port Reading is primarily residential and industrial, several parks offer plenty of green space. The Woodbridge River Park preserves a stretch of marshland for kayakers to explore. Next to the boat launch, the park also includes a youth center with indoor and outdoor basketball courts, plus a football field and a playground. Nearby Boynton Park features two baseball fields, basketball courts and another playground. Port Reading is just up the street from Sewaren’s waterfront parks, including the Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park and Woodbridge Dog Park.
Port Reading has a small, but diverse dining scene
While Port Reading does not have its own retail district, a handful of restaurants bring diverse flavors to the community. Local eateries serve Italian, Chinese, Indian and Dominican cuisine. Punjabi Tadkaa specializes in North Indian fare like tandoori chicken and seekh kababs, doubling as a caterer for events held by the area’s vibrant Indian community. Busanka Restaurant sits in shopping plaza and serves Caribbean flavors like pernil, empanadas and pastries. Many residents also head into downtown Woodbridge, about 10 minutes away. “People might go into downtown Woodbridge to eat. In Woodbridge proper, there are so many great restaurants,” Kaur says. “Woodbridge has got a lot more businesses, malls and doctors’ offices.” The nearest supermarket is the ShopRite in Carteret, 4 miles up Port Reading Avenue.
Woodbridge High offers diverse extracurriculars like career programs
Students can start at Matthew Jago Elementary School or Port Reading Elementary School before attending Avenel Middle School; each receives a C-plus grade from Niche. Woodbridge High School, which receives a B, offers extracurriculars like Woodbridge Youth Enjoy Science, where students can learn from medical professionals and partake in internships.
The Turnpike offers direct access to New York City
The New Jersey Turnpike cuts through Port Reading, offering car and bus access to New York City in about 25 miles. There's also a NJ Transit rail station just a few minutes away in Woodbridge. While Turnpike traffic has long been a challenge, the transportation situation is rapidly changing. “The ferry is also coming soon in Carteret,” Kaur says. “People going to work on Wall Street will likely take less time traveling into the city.”
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
