When you’re looking for a new home in New Jersey, you have a number of options. You can buy an existing home, build on a lot you’ve found or choose a newer community. Which choice is right for you and your family?

Buying a brand new home may be appealing to you. Maybe you like the idea of being the first one in your new home. Maybe knowing that everything is new (and works the way it should) just feels right. Or perhaps it’s important to you to be able to personalize your home, making it feel more like yours. If those things matter to you, then it helps narrow your search because you can eliminate existing properties.

Is there something to be said for choosing a new community instead of building on your own lot? Here are a few things to consider.

Infrastructure: When you build in a new community (as opposed to on a single lot), you can be confident that all of the infrastructure you depend on—streets, sidewalks, electrical, water and sewage connections—is in place. When you build on an isolated lot, you may have to do some extra research (and possibly spend extra money) to make sure you have all the access you need.

Social Aspects: One thing you’re more likely to find in a newer neighborhood is a sense of community. Chances are, you’ll be surrounded by other families who share many of the same values and interests. It can be easier for you and your kids to develop relationships. Hillsborough has many local organizations that will help you connect with others and feel a sense of belonging to the larger community. Here are just a few:

Community Garden

You can reserve a plot on a shared piece of land and raise your own flowers or vegetables. The cost is $20 per year. It’s great for people interested in the outdoors who want to learn about gardening and growing fresh healthy food. Learn more at hillsboroughcommunitygarden.org.

Girl Scouts of Hillsborough

This chapter of the Girl Scouts, with approximately 95 troops, ranges in ages from grades K-12. Each of the area schools has a school organizer who serves as liaison to the Service Unit Team. Reach out to your child's school consultant if you have a child who would like to become a Girl Scout.  To find out more about our GS community in Hillsborough, visit www.borogirlscouts.org or email boroughgirlscouts@gmail.com.

Hillsborough HEAT Baseball Club

Hillsborough Heat Baseball Club is a competitive, traveling youth baseball club comprised of several teams and age levels. The Hillsborough Heat provides extensive instructional baseball training in the winter and competitive play in the spring, summer and fall. Learn more about the Hillsborough HEAT Baseball Club here.

Hillsborough Soccer Club

The Hillsborough Soccer Club offers a fun, competitive environment and professional soccer coaching (practice and games) for boys and girls ages 8-17. The Club also offers a noncompetitive Youth Development Program for boys and girls ages 5-8 that places a strong emphasis on soccer basics. Read more about the club at http://www.hillsboroughsoccerclub.org/.

MOMS Club of Hillsborough East (Residents East of Rt. 206)

The MOMS Club® (http://www.meetup.com/MOMS-Club-of-Hillsborough-East-Meetup-Group/) is an International nonprofit organization specifically for mothers who have chosen to stay home with their children. The MOMS Club meets the first Thursday of every month and offers monthly meetings, playgroups, MOMS night out, field trips, casual get-togethers, a monthly newsletter and special interest groups.

MOMS Club of Hillsborough West (Residents West of Rt. 206)

Open to all stay-at-home moms who live on the west side of Rt. 206. Their monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at 9:45 a.m. Contact their Membership Vice President at mchw.info@gmail.com for more details.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential community connections for you and your family. Hillsborough is about much more than just great homes—it’s also a great place to feel part of the community.