New Jersey township filled with unique smaller communities
Woodbridge is a mosaic of 10 small communities, giving this township of around 100,000 people a broad profile. Sometimes, it appears like a large suburb, and at other moments, it presents the face of a small town. “It can be like stepping into a slower, more thoughtful time when you go to a parade on Main Street and it runs three to four hours,” says Robert Durso, longtime resident and Realtor with Re/Max Select.
Many different lifestyles take root here. “Woodbridge is a little blue collar-ish, but it’s also very attractive to commuters because the location is amazing,” says Joseph DeVizio, also a longtime resident and Realtor with J.J. Elek Realty. “It strikes a good middle ground, where many homebuyers are not priced out, and they get all the benefits of a highly desirable location.”
Strong leadership is another reason for attracting former New Yorkers and others to Woodbridge. “Our mayor is one of the most dynamic mayors in the state, if not the country,” Durso says. “I was recently in a meeting with him about downtown development. We built 1,000 rentals in a 1-mile stretch. And what happens is, people get a taste of the community, and they don’t want to leave. This development has become a feeder for our real estate market.”
The Raritan River adds a touch of natural beauty. It’s also the site of Riverton, a $2.5 billion mixed-use community featuring townhouses and brand-name businesses like Bass Pro Shop. Many residents work in the retail, medical and industrial fields.
Overview of residential streets in the Woodbridge neighborhood.
The Colonia marching band was marching in this year's Woodbridge Main St. Holiday Parade.
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Classic suburban styles and million-dollar homes
The communities composing Woodbridge share a few similar features, but they have unique lifestyles. “Seven out of the 10 communities have a downtown district,” Duros says. “Iselin is the younger community as far as housing stock goes, primarily midcentury to present day. You’ll see plenty of homes from the 1940s to 1960s. Colonia is right next door, and homes start at $1 million. This is the country club section, more of a planned subdivision.”
Most of what homebuyers encounter are classic suburban styles, like ranch-style homes, split levels and Cape Cods ranging from $400,000 to $650,000. Many Realtors say that high demand can create pressures. "Housing inventory can be low in Woodbridge, and offers are almost always at or above asking price," says Realtor Eugene Higgins with RE/MAX 1st Advantage.
A row of ranch style homes lines a residential street in the Woodbridge neighborhood.
Iselin has large sections of Cape Cod homes
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Oak Tree Road is filled with high-end retail
There’s a commuter-friendly dimension to the city, and retail experiences are built around the ability to travel around the township. “Woodbridge Brewery is right by the Woodbridge train station with a nice outdoor patio," Higgins says. "You can get off the train and get a drink." Locals rave about Strickland’s, a steakhouse that opened in a former bank on Main Street in 2023. History plays a part in other establishments, too. Reo Diner serves American classics 24/7, and it has been open since 1935.
But there’s a cosmopolitan angle to retail here as well. “Iselin has a great Asian community that has built a high-end retail strip. They utilize Oak Tree Road from start to finish,” Durso says. “There’s food, clothing and even jewelry companies that have $50,000 items. So, people come from all over to shop there.” Of course, no New Jersey city would be complete without a mall. “Woodbridge Center Mall is in the part that’s considered Uptown, and it’s a massive place to go shopping,” DeVizio says.
Residents love eating at Jose Tejas, where the dining room is always packed.
Woodbridge Center Mall boasts two stories of premium dining and retail shops.
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The city is crisscrossed by a multitude of transportation corridors
Three train stations help with making the 28-mile journey to New York City: Commuters can choose between the Metro Link, Avenel and Woodbridge stations. “They’ll get you quicker to New York than if you lived in Brooklyn or Queens,” Durso says.
Drivers have it made here. “Woodbridge essentially won the location lottery,” Durso says. “We’re just as close to the Jersey Shore as we are to Manhattan. Every highway that gets you somewhere passes through here. You’ll see the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, Highway 27, Highway 440, Route 9 and Interstate 95. They all converge in Woodbridge.” I-95 also leads about 18 miles north to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School earns Blue Ribbon School status
Woodbridge Township School District has nearly 14,000 students enrolled and earns a B-plus from Niche. Three high schools serve the city, including Woodbridge Academy Magnet School, which earned a Blue Ribbon designation in 2024. St. James School is a private Catholic institution that earns an A-minus. It serves pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and has a student-teacher ratio of 20-to-1.
Woodbridge High School is a Four-Year Comprehensive Public High School Located in Woodbridge.
Mawbey Street Elementary Public School serves students in the Woodbridge neighborhood.
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Merrill Park stretches across 180 acres
Recreation is one of Woodbridge’s strong suits. “We have two of the most amazing community centers, two hockey rinks, lighted pickleball courts, swimming pools, turf fields on all of our high schools,” Durso says.
DeVizio says, “We have tons of parks, but Merrill Park, located between the Colonia and Iseli communities, is just a big, beautiful space, really the premier park in Woodbridge.” The park features multiple athletic fields and playgrounds in the middle of this 180-acre space.
Merrill Park is an escape for Fitness enthusiasts or for those that want to catch some sun.
Fords Park in Woodbridge features extensive, pathed walking paths that course through the park.
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A summer concert series on the water
One of the biggest events all year is the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series, held in the Sewaren community on the water. “It’s free, there’s a tiki bar and the music is always very eclectic,” Durso says. “These aren’t just a bunch of cover bands. They’re high-quality acts. It’s a destination.” The Barron Arts Center in Avenel, housed in a Romanesque brownstone built in 1877, hosts a monthly poetry group plus exhibits throughout the year. DeVizio says the community is known for its performing arts center.
An expanding police force
The Woodbridge Township Police Department increased patrols to deal with theft, especially after a prominent jewelry robbery in the Iselin retail district in 2022. The police roster has also expanded, with seven officers joining in 2024. Police reported over 2,000 criminal offenses in 2022, with larceny and auto theft being the leading categories. According to FBI data from 2023, Woodbridge's crime rate is about on par with national and state averages.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
John Georgiadis
Video By
Mark Tilley
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