Are you seeking an upscale community situated in a country setting with close proximity to both New York City and an abundance of employment opportunities?
Nestled snuggly among the Somerset Hills in Somerset County, Bernardsville is a small town (12.85 square miles) with 7,345 residents. The town has successfully protected its allure as a safe, small community with relatively easy access to New York City for its commuting residents. Many of its earliest residents, in fact, were wealthy Manhattanites that spent their summers in Bernardsville. Their presence led to the extension of the train line through Summit to Bernardsville and eventually all the way to nearby Peapack-Gladstone.
The existence of several large corporations in the surrounding area has effectively provided a strong base of employment for Bernardsville residents, including AT&T, Pharmacia, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Lucent just to name a few. Strict zoning in much of Bernardsville has assured the maintenance of high property values and a natural wooded beauty regarded by many as among the best in the entire state of New Jersey.
The school district in Bernardsville (Somerset Hills School District) has essentially made it a center for the surrounding communities, as several send their residents' children there for K-12. These communities include Far Hills, Bedminster (grades 7-12) and Peapack-Gladstone. While there are four communities in the school district, only about 1600 students attend the three schools in the district: Bedwell Elementary, Bernardsville Middle School and Bernards High School. Such a low number speaks volumes about the Somerset Hills area: it is quiet with a small population, an almost non-existent crime rate and has what might be best described as a "rural suburban" feel to it.
The best restaurant in Bernardsville is Eccoqui, which brings a rare sense of contemporary style to the area. It offers Italian cuisine at moderate prices and an atmosphere that some might find a bit too loud for their liking. The food is very good, however, and Eccoqui is a welcomed respite from the wonderful, even if sometimes tiresome, country charm that defines Bernardsville.
If outdoor life is important to you, you could hardly do worse than Bernardsville, which is home to part of the Jockey Hollow section of Morristown National Historic Park. There are 27 miles of breathtaking foot and horse trails in Jockey Hollow, which are perfect for hiking, running and cross-country skiing in the winter.
If you had to pick a town center, however, it would definitely be the Bernardsville Public Library, which is an impressive, multi-million dollar facility that opened February 27, 2000. The move from the old library was a bittersweet event, as it was steeped in history, which included a stay by General George Washington during the American Revolution when the library was still the Vealtown Tavern. It was also said to be haunted by the tavern keeper's daughter, who went insane after the execution of her lover.
The new library was rated the best in the state of New Jersey by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings for the year 2002.
Bernardsville is about one hour and fifteen minutes from New York City by train, and about the same in light traffic by car.
Related Links and Contact Information:
Official Site of Bernardsville Borough: http://www.bernardsvilleboro.org/
Somerset Hills School District: http://www.shsd.org/
The Bernardsvill Public Library on the Web: http://www.bernardsville.org
Eccoqui: (908) 221-0040 (Fun Italian)
Tsuki Japanese Restaurant: (908) 953-0450 (Very Good Sushi)
Le Petit Chateau: (908) 766-4544 (Critically Acclaimed French Restaurant)
Monterey Gourmet: (908) 766-2000 (Great Deli and Caterer)
Morristown National Historical Park (includes Jockey Hollow): http://www.nps.gov/morr/
