White Meadow Lake began as a seasonal escape where New Yorkers could leave the city for a calm lakeside bungalow in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. That changed in the ‘50s, when people began to make the community their permanent home, resulting in the construction of larger houses and the creation of a more robust community association. Today, White Meadow Lake stands apart from other lake communities in the area due to the year-round nature of its residents and the involvement locals have in the community’s operation, says Ilene Horowitz, a salesperson at Coldwell Banker Realty and the most active agent in White Meadow Lake. Horowitz herself is a third-generation resident, having grown up there and today owning what was once her parents’ house. “A lot of residents are like that,” she says. Once an “undervalued” community, White Meadow Lake has seen a surge in interest from homebuyers since the COVID-19 pandemic, Horowitz says. “Over the last few years, our little best-kept secret has flourished. Now we’re one of the most sought-after lake communities in the county.”
White Meadow Lake stands apart from other lake communities in the area due to the year-round nature of its residents and the involvement locals have in the community’s operation.
During the 1950s, people began to make the White Meadow Lake community their permanent home, resulting in the construction of larger houses and the creation of a robust community association.
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Beaches and docks surrounding White Meadow Lake
Every household pays annual dues to the Property Owners Association, with the money funding maintenance of the community’s private lake. Three sandy beaches spread around the lake give residents access to the water, and boat owners who don’t live on the lake can keep their boats at one of the community docks. Residents don’t pay extra to moor their vessels, but there is a lottery system for those who want to claim one of the limited dock spots. Surrounding the lake are small parks, where pickleball has taken off and where the community organizes sports leagues for kids and adults.
Every White Meadow Lake household pays annual dues to the Property Owners Association, with the money funding maintenance of the community’s private lake.
White Meadow Lake is surrounded by small parks where pickleball has taken off and where the community organizes sports leagues for kids and adults.
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Sought-after lakefront homes
When White Meadow Lake transitioned into the year-round community that it is today, homeowners expanded the existing bungalows, and builders added larger home styles such as ranches and split-levels. The median price is around $590,000, higher than the national median but lower than Morris County’s median home price. Lakefront homes are the most sought-after, fetching roughly $1 million on the rare occasion they hit the market. “There’s not a lot of turnover on the lakefront homes,” Horowitz says. “Every few years, we only have a handful of lakefront homes for sale.”
Lakefront homes are the most sought-after in the White Meadow Lake area, fetching roughly $1 million on the rare occasion they hit the market.
When White Meadow Lake transitioned into the year-round community that it is today, homeowners expanded their existing dwellings, but some original cottage-style homes still exist.
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Activities and events at White Meadow Lake Clubhouse
Freezing temperatures typically arrive in December and persist all winter, but the White Meadow Lake Clubhouse provides a place to spend time indoors. It hosts mixology classes, live music and events put on by community groups such as the Women’s Club. The Property Owners Association funds most of the community’s activities, with residents getting a say in how the association spends the dues it collects from homeowners. Not only do residents have to approve the association’s annual budget, but they also get to vote on each proposed line item. “Everybody has a say in terms of what goes on,” Horowitz says.
Freezing temperatures typically arrive in December and persist all winter, but the White Meadow Lake Clubhouse provides a place to spend time indoors.
The Property Owners Association funds most of the community’s activities, with White Meadow Lake residents getting a say in how the association spends the dues it collects from homeowners.
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Math and science magnet program at Morris Hills schools
The Morris Hills Regional District lands an A-plus rating from Niche. The district oversees the Magnet Program for Math and Science, which enrolls high schoolers in Advanced Placement classes and gives them in-depth teaching on scientific research methods. Interested students apply and take a test during their seventh-grade year.
Morris Hills High School, established in 1953, is a well rated public high school located at 520 West Main Street in Rockaway, New Jersey.
Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, NJ received a Niche overall grade of A and is part of the highly regarded Morris Hills Regional School District.
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Two miles from Costco, Rockaway Townsquare mall
On the weekends, neighbors can sip beers and glasses of wine at Gold Bar & Lounge in the clubhouse, taking in views of the lake at the same time. A handful of restaurants and gas stations operate in White Meadow Lake, with stores clustered around Rockaway Town Plaza 2 miles away. The collection of big-box retailers and department stores include Costco, Target and Rockaway Townsquare mall.
A handful of restaurants and gas stations operate in White Meadow Lake, with stores clustered around Rockaway Town Plaza 2 miles away.
For big-brand shopping nearby to White Meadow Lake, the major retail hub of Rockaway Townsquare Mall features popular stores and restaurants like JCPenney and Red Robin, and it even has an AMC movie theater for entertainment.
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Interstate connection to Jersey City, New York
Interstate 80 passes by White Meadow Lake to the south, leading to Jersey City, Hoboken and New York City. The 30-mile drive to the first two cities can take up to an hour and 15 minutes, with the trip to New York lasting an additional 30 minutes. Commuters can also use the interstate to drive 30 minutes to Morristown, home to large accounting, auditing and health insurance offices. The closest NJ Transit train station is 3 miles away in Denville.
Crime statistics in Rockaway Township
The number of crimes reported to the Rockaway Township Police Department increased significantly in 2023, according to data from the state of New Jersey. Larceny accounted for most reported crimes. Still, property-crime and violent-crime rates in the township were generally lower than national rates in 2023, according to FBI data.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Video By
Anne Sheridan
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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.
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On average, homes in White Meadow Lake, NJ sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in White Meadow Lake, NJ over the last 12 months is $542,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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