Watchung New Jersey
THE 6.2-square-mile community of Watchung sweeps across two ridges of the Watchung Mountains, wedged between New Jersey Route 22 and Interstate 78. But unlike many other bedroom communities, Watchung offers large properties, undulating hills, narrow winding roads, abundant wildlife and two lakes: Lake Watchung and Best Lake.
''The typical new home here is 6,000 to 8,000 square feet on an acre and a half,'' Mr. Longo explained. ''The buyers are in their 30's and 40's with school-age children.''
Several areas are known for luxurious, expensive houses, like Acorn Road, where five new houses are now under construction, or Knightsbridge and Gallowae Roads, overlooking Best Lake. Large homes are sprinkled throughout the borough, however, because a shortage of building lots has led to the purchase of older homes, so they can be demolished and replaced by larger ones. One street with a number of ''teardowns'' is Johnston Drive, which has a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline, more than 20 miles away.
Basking Ridge New Jersey
Attractions include the highly rated school system, the wide range of housing, lower taxes and a reasonable commute to New York. What some may be surprised to find is a town of 28,350 residents that blends a rural setting with an urban vibe. The former comes from deep history and vast open space, both of which residents work hard to preserve. The latter is credited to the eclectic population, and to the many recreational, business and cultural possibilities.The Bernards Township School District serves a total of 2,750 pupils in five schools -- two covering K-2, one for grades 3-5, a middle school for grades 6-8 and Ridge High School.
Of this year's 163-student high school graduating class, 95 percent took the S.A.T.'s. Their mean scores were 478 in verbal and 545 in math, each of which is about 50 points above the national average.
The high school offers 28 advanced-placement courses, which School Superintendent Dalin K. Showalter says is comparable to offerings at schools with twice the student body of 670. Of this year's graduates, 92 percent are going on to higher education.
In 1986, Ridge High was one of five high schools in New Jersey to receive the Federal Department of Education's School Recognition Award for Outstanding Progress Toward Excellence in Education.
Martinsville New Jersey
Martinsville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Bridgewater Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.[9][10][11] As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 11,980.[4][12]
Martinsville is located in northeastern Bridgewater near Warren Township; the 08836 ZIP code also takes in the southern extension of Bernards Township. It is an affluent, predominantly residential area, though it does have its own commercial center along Washington Valley Road, and its own post office.
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Washington Valley Park, part of the Somerset County Park System, is located in Martinsville. The park offers extensive hiking and mountain biking opportunities. A notable hike in the park is an hour-long hike around the out-of-use reservoir that once served Bound Brook, New Jersey.
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The Mount Bethel Baptist Meetinghouse, located in Martinsville, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Devil's Tree is a solitary oak located in a field on Mountain Road. Legend has it that it is the property of the Devil and a gateway to Hell.[13]
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There is a Revolutionary War cemetery in the Spring Run section of Martinsville, where soldiers of both American and British troops are buried, along with some early settlers of the area.