For a long time, living close to Manhattan meant living in it, or close enough to feel like you never left. Hybrid work broke that rule. Once the office only needs you two or three days a week, "close enough" stretches a lot further than it used to, and Montgomery Township sits well inside that new range.
Here's what the move actually looks like, from the commute to the schools to the life waiting on the other side of the train ride.
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Somerset County offers no shortage of towns within commuting distance of New York, yet Montgomery Township has carved out a distinct identity by resisting the kind of development that defines so many of its neighbors. The township has preserved 39% of its land as open space or farmland, and that commitment shows up everywhere in daily life, from the tree-lined roads that stand in for strip malls to the half-acre lots that replace stacked townhomes, giving the whole area a genuinely residential character built around quiet streets and long driveways.
The township dates back to 1798, when it was incorporated and named for Continental Army General Richard Montgomery, and that long history is still visible in the patchwork of distinct villages that make up the town today. Skillman, Belle Mead, Blawenburg, and Rocky Hill each carry their own ZIP code and their own small-town character, spread across roughly 32 square miles that are home to just under 24,000 residents. That's a deliberately low-density spread, and it gives the township a collection of small neighborhoods with plenty of room to breathe.
Montgomery Township's public schools run through a single district built around five schools. Orchard Hill Elementary covers the youngest students, Village Elementary handles grades three and four, Montgomery Lower and Upper Middle Schools cover grades five through eight, and Montgomery High School serves grades nine through twelve. Total enrollment across the district runs above 4,600 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 11 to 1, which is noticeably smaller than many public districts in the region.
The New Jersey Department of Education's School Performance Reports apply the same standardized framework to every district in the state. Montgomery Township scores consistently above state averages in English language arts and math, with steady year-over-year student growth and strong graduation outcomes.
Niche.com backs that up with its own reviews, ranking Montgomery Township School District #28 among all New Jersey school districts and giving it an overall A+ grade, with 76% of students testing proficient in math and 81% in reading. Montgomery High School holds its own within the district, too, landing at #2 among public high schools in Somerset County. With Princeton being just ten to fifteen minutes away, and it's no surprise that Montgomery Township makes a strong case as a top place to live in NJ.
A one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan is rarely larger than 700 square feet, and the average asking rent for one now runs about $5,350 a month. In Montgomery Township, the median home value sits just below $800,000, and that typically will get you a private yard, a garage, and a lot size of half an acre or more. However, keep in mind that New Jersey's property taxes rank among the highest in the country, with an average effective rate of 2.23%. In good news, residents who are commuting to New York City for work won't have to pay the city's income tax, which applies only to residents.
To touch more on commuting, a monthly NJ Transit rail pass between Princeton Junction and New York Penn Station runs about $331, and a single one-way ticket costs closer to $12, making it the cheaper option for anyone commuting fewer than three days a week.
Montgomery Township's shops and restaurants hold their own against that worry. The Montgomery Farmers' Market runs weekly in Skillman through the nonprofit Montgomery Friends of Open Space, while Village Shoes has been fitting local families for more than 40 years, the kind of longevity that's hard to find in a city where storefronts turn over constantly. Montgomery Promenade, a mixed-use development anchored by a Whole Foods Market, is on its way as well, adding even more retail and dining within walking distance of existing neighborhoods. For dinner, The Tiger's Tale remains the long-running local favorite for pub food and Italian classics; Blawenburg Bistro serves breakfast and lunch out of a converted post office building steeped in local history, and Thomas Sweet Cafe covers ice cream and coffee in Skillman for anyone craving something sweeter.
Outdoor space is just as easy to find, and arguably even easier to enjoy without ever getting in a car. Skillman Park's 2.25-mile paved loop and two-acre off-leash dog run sit minutes from most neighborhoods, while Sourland Mountain Preserve adds roughly 9 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails spread across more than 3,000 acres, all without ever leaving the township.
Princeton Junction sits about fifteen minutes from Montgomery Township, and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor line covers the rest of the trip into Penn Station in a little over an hour, with trains running roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day. If you prefer to drive, Route 206 connects to Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike for a more direct trip into the city.
Montgomery Township's median home value sits at $795,200, about 1.4 times the median for Somerset County as a whole and roughly double the national figure. Housing inventory data shows the broader county's homes typically spending 25 days on the market as of the most recent month tracked, with a median listing price of $669,950 across Somerset County. With 39% of the township's land preserved as open space, new development is limited by design.
Montgomery Township is pulling in people who appreciate its open green spaces and convenient access to larger metros like NYC and Philadelphia. If you're raising a family, this area also offers top-rated schools and plentiful places for recreation. While Montgomery Township offers something for many types of people, it ultimately comes down to your priorities and preferences
If you find yourself commuting frequently to NYC, living in Montgomery Township full-time may not be the right move. Similarly, if you enjoy the level of activity of a larger metro, you might find Montgomery Township a bit too quiet. If you decide to stay or pay a weekend visit, Montgomery Township welcomes you.
Building a home in Montgomery Township takes local knowledge. Country Classics has spent decades building homes and communities across Central New Jersey, and that experience shows in every Montgomery Township build. Learn more about Country Classics and the philosophy behind the homes we build here.
If you're interested in learning more about calling Montgomery Township home, reach out to our team for an initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
What towns or villages make up Montgomery Township? Skillman, Belle Mead, Blawenburg, and Rocky Hill, each with its own ZIP code.
How long is the commute to NYC, and what does it cost? About fifteen minutes to Princeton Junction, then a little over an hour on NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor line. A monthly pass runs about $331.
Do I still pay New York City income tax after moving to NJ? No. New York City's income tax applies only to residents, so it stops applying once your address changes.
What schools serve Montgomery Township? Orchard Hill Elementary, Village Elementary, Montgomery Lower and Upper Middle Schools, and Montgomery High School.
How competitive is the local real estate market? Homes move quickly, and preserved open space keeps new inventory limited.