Many folks who live in Hewitt, NJ, call it an urban oasis, but of course, no town or city is perfect. If you’re moving here and wish to know the realities of living in our town, you’re in luck! Below we’ve got the Pros and Cons of living in Hewitt, NJ, to help you do just that. Read on to find out more!
What’s It Like Living in Hewitt, NJ?
Hewitt, NJ, is a very complex and unique part of the Garden State. Scenic and soothing, it’s unlike most other areas here that are more congested and busy. The town encompasses lakes, mountains, and some of the most exciting views in the New York metro area. Hewitt is also protected from urban sprawl by the Highlands Act, making fox, deer, and bear sightings quite common.
MOVING TIP: If you're moving to our area, renting a storage unit in Hewitt, NJ, can be helpful. That way, you'll have a place to put your things while you search for a new place to call home.
PRO: Hewitt Offers Small-Town Life with Big-City Amenities
As we mentioned earlier, Hewitt offers more seclusion and scenery than many other towns in this part of New Jersey. The surroundings are quite different from what many are used to, with more green spaces, less congestion, and larger yards. (It’s what real estate agents call a “sparse suburban area.”)
Of course, that’s not surprising when you consider that Hewitt is on the upper northwest corner of the state. We’re about 80 minutes from the Big Apple, New York City, and far from its urban sprawl. We’ve got mountains galore around here and plenty of opportunities to camp, hike, and fish. We’re very close to many ski areas, too, for all sorts of wintertime fun – there are year-round pros on this list of pros and cons of living in Hewitt, NJ!
CON: The Cost of Living in Hewitt, NJ is Somewhat High
While not nearly as high as towns closer to New York City, Hewitt, NJ is still higher than some. The overall cost of living here is 117/100, 17% higher than the U.S. average. Not surprisingly, the cost of transportation in Hewitt is very high. That’s due to commuting into New York City, which is almost 50 miles away. However, the other cost indexes in Hewitt are much more reasonable, including, surprisingly, housing. Take a look at them below:
- Overall- 17% higher than the national average
- Groceries – 4% higher than the national average
- Healthcare – 5% lower
- Housing – 12% higher
- Utilities – 5% higher
- Transportation- 60% higher
- Miscellaneous – 7% higher
PRO: Housing Costs in Hewitt are, for N.J., Reasonable
Yes, the overall cost of living in Hewitt, New Jersey, is a bit high. That being said, housing costs are what most would judge as reasonable. Consider this; 45 minutes southeast, you’ll pay 30% to 50% more for a home in a much denser urban area. Fewer green spaces, more traffic, and higher crime rates are waiting there too. Also, when compared to N.J.’s housing cost average of 42% higher than the national average, our housing cost (only 12% higher) becomes much more appealing. It’s still a pro on this list of pros and cons of living in Hewitt, NJ.
CON: Hewitt, NJ gets Cold and Cloudy in Winter
There’s no denying that winter can be long and cold in this part of New Jersey. The clouds roll in and tend to stick around, too, making it a bit dreary. Also, snow starts falling as early as November and continues through March. For some, that’s more white stuff than they ever want to see.
Of course, for others, especially those who like to ski and snowboard, all the snow in Hewitt is a blessing. (The ski resorts here are some of the best in the northeast.) Still, unless you live near the slopes, dealing with the cold and snow in Hewitt can often be tiresome. By the way, many folks rent storage units in Hewitt, NJ, just for their winter adventure gear.
PRO: Outdoor Adventure is Everywhere You Look in Hewitt, NJ
If you love hiking, camping, rafting, and fishing, living in Hewitt will be fantastic! The town is surrounded by dense forest, with many set aside for public use. There are many ski resorts nearby for winter sports, but summer here is also fantastic. That’s primarily due to all the lakes and streams nearby, as well as some tremendous parks. (Greenwood Lake is a standout!) Below are some of the area’s best locales for outdoor adventures of every imaginable type, including:
- Dater Mountain Nature Park
- Mountain Creek Resort
- Wawayanda State Park (One of the best in the entire state!)
- Long Pond Ironworks State Park
- Skylands Botanical Gardens
- Ramapo Mountain State Forest
- Ringwood State Park
CON: The Commute into NYC from Hewitt is Long
Commuting into New York City from Hewitt means getting up early and coming home late. The average commute time, according to BestPlaces, is nearly 46 minutes! That’s just the average commute time, also. Some days it could very well take you much longer to get back and forth to your Hewitt home. The distance from the Big Apple is why, as we saw above, transportation costs are so high in our town. In short, your commute time when living in Hewitt will, unfortunately, be quite long. On this list of pros and cons of living in Hewitt, NJ, this is only a small con.
PRO: Hewitt, NJ is Clean and Serene
One of the best reasons to live in Hewitt, NJ, is the cleanliness, serenity, and safety found here. We’re far from many of the problems faced by our neighbors to the southeast, and we like it that way!
Here at Moove In Self Storage, we help many residents of Hewitt store their stuff safely and affordably. Our self storage location in Hewitt, NJ, is clean and secure, with 24/7 video monitoring and an on-site manager. In fact, you can visit the location and meet them! They’ll be glad to show you around, answer your questions and get the rental process started.
If you’re not here yet, you can rent or reserve a storage unit in Hewitt, NJ, online. It’s easy and convenient and, when you arrive, your storage unit will be ready! If you have questions, you can also chat with us online anytime! Until then, best of luck finding a new home in Hewitt, New Jersey. Once you’re settled in, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the lifestyle our charming little town offers.
Check out more tips on the Moove In blog!
