Sewaren is trading an industrial past for a commuter-focused future
Formerly a Gilded Age seaside resort, Sewaren is now a growing bedroom community for New York City and the Tri-State area. As one of several subcommunities in Woodbridge Township, Sewaren also has an industrial past, and the Shell Oil refinery and PSE&G power plant continue to be major employers. However, investment from the township now pairs with access to NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike to help this community of nearly 3,000 residents redefine itself as a commuter hub. “There are so many apartments that have been built in Sewaren, and it’s still being developed. Hundreds have sprung up near the Woodbridge train station — and they’re all full,” says Sukhwinder Kaur, a Realtor with J.J. Elek Realty Co. who has sold several homes in the area. A soon-to-open ferry in nearby Carteret points to an even stronger connection with the New York metro area.
Brand-new construction is taking over Sewaren and Woodbridge's streets
Much of Sewaren was developed in the mid-1900s amid New York’s suburbanization. Bungalows and split-levels from the era have sold for $400,000 to $650,000. But the Woodbridge area is currently experiencing a new wave of homebuilding, a trend now coming to Sewaren. “They’ve knocked down older buildings and put up high-rises,” Kaur says. As neighboring downtown Woodbridge expands its stock of apartments, new single-family homes are being built in Sewaren. A New Traditional home, built in 2025, recently sold for $800,000. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Waterfront parks offer land and water-based recreation
Sewaren is full of parks, many following a bend in the Arthur Kill strait. Boynton Park has basketball hoops, and Cypress Park has a community center. “During the summer, Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park is beautiful. It has a lot of trails that go all around the park, so you can even watch your kids playing while you’re walking around.” Captain Carlsen Park, on the community's southern edge, includes a gazebo and picnic tables, plus a fishing pier and boat launch for anglers.
A handful of local businesses offer diverse atmospheres and menus
Primarily associated with industry and residential living, Sewaren doesn’t have a downtown retail area of its own. However, a handful of local businesses offer diverse menus and dining atmospheres. Santorini specializes in Egyptian cuisine, from meat pies to stuffed grape leaves. The Sewaren Deli is the quintessential North Jersey breakfast venue; commuters can grab a made-to-order bagel sandwich and coffee as they make their way to the Woodbridge train station or the New Jersey Turnpike. Moby Dick’s Restaurant Lounge hosts live music performances and serves pub fare, including mozzarella sticks and fish and chips. The nearest supermarket is Wegmans, a 2-mile drive down Main Street.
Woodbridge High offers both mentoring and career prep programs
Students can start their education at Matthew Jago Elementary School before attending Avenel Middle School, both of which receive C-plus ratings from Niche. B-rated Woodbridge High School offers diverse extracurriculars like a Heroes and Cool Kids club to mentor middle school students and a Woodbridge Youth Enjoy Science program to give STEM students internship and career prep opportunities.
A ferry will soon add to Sewaren's many commuting options
Sewaren sits along the New Jersey Turnpike, about 25 miles from New York City. Commuters also live close to the Woodbridge train station, which offers an hourlong commute to New York Penn Station. “There are a lot of commuters to New York in these areas. During the morning and evening, the train stations are packed,” Kaur says. “You’ll see a lot of people walking out of the train station during the evening hours.” A new ferry station in Carteret is projected to open in the autumn of 2025, alleviating turnpike traffic while offering another route to the city.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
