Piscataway

Nestled among the bedroom communities of the suburban Raritan Valley, the township of Piscataway invites residents to live along the verdant banks of the Raritan River, be served by an acclaimed school district and enjoy relatively low taxes in a community just under an hour southwest of New York City.

Piscataway’s history dates to the late 1600s, when settlers from New Hampshire named the area after the Piscataqua River in New England. One of the 50 oldest towns in the United States, Piscataway evolved from farmland into a commuter suburb of New York. Real estate agent Corey Jones shares, “We’re in that proximity to New York City that a lot of commuters live as far out as Piscataway. Geographically, this is a wide, spread-out township.” Piscataway has retained the spacious feel of an agricultural community, with distinct sub-neighborhoods such as Society Hill, Raritan Landing, The Heights and New Market serving as clusters of housing and activity in between patches of nature. Even wildlife such as deer and foxes can occasionally be observed in this neighborhood, giving it a natural charm not often found in the more densely populated suburbs closer to the city.

Piscataway’s residential streets tend to be lined with colonials of varying sizes, and Jones also adds, “You’ll see other ranches, other Capes…it’s a very quiet, calm neighborhood.” These homes often include vast front lawns and back yards, perfect for backyard barbecues and family gatherings. Piscataway’s streets are wide, lined with trees, and feature double sidewalks for safe maneuverability. Piscataway has a median home price of $460,000, in line with that of the county; Jones shares, “The benefit of taxes is that you’re in Middlesex County, which has a lower tax rate than Union County. Relatively speaking, the taxes are friendly.”

Residents can explore the history and nature of Piscataway at Johnson Park, which includes the “East Jersey Olde Towne Village” open-air museum, a replicated colonial village on the site of the historic Raritan Landing port town of the 1700s. This village includes original and rebuilt schoolhouses, blacksmith and wheelwright shops, a colonial barracks and even a tavern, and costumed reenactors often gather at this village to provide an immersive learning experience. This riverside park is also home to cricket, tennis, and baseball facilities, offering residents the opportunity to play sports at one of this town’s most scenic environs.

As Piscataway is located just across the Raritan River from New Brunswick, Rutgers University plays a major role in Piscataway’s social life and economy. Rutgers’ Livingston and Busch campuses are located on the Piscataway side of the river, and “Rutgers Day” serves as a local celebration, as the Rutgers campuses are open to visitors and feature live music and food trucks. These campuses also provide summer programs for students from ages 8 to 16, offering children an educational summer camp experience that creates eager young learners and new friendships.

Centennial Square offers both shopping and dining options, including a ShopRite and Aldi for groceries and chain classics such as TGI Fridays and Applebee’s. A Lowe’s Home Improvement in this shopping center helps homebuyers create their dream homes, while a 24 Hour Fitness helps people achieve their health goals.

Piscataway’s students attend of four elementary schools, three middle schools, and Piscataway High School, the alma mater of several distinguished athletes, and rated among the state’s top public high schools.

Speaking to Piscataway’s many benefits, Jones concludes, “Because of the school ratings, proximity to New York City, and a local train station, this is a very cost-effective location for home buyers.”

Written By

Jacob Adelhoch

Photography Contributed By

John Georgiadis

Video By

Stewart Taveras