10 Sophisticated Reasons to Live in Somerset County, New Jersey – 2025 Guide
Discover everything about Somerset County, NJ — housing, schools, commuting, jobs, and why this charming county is one of NJ’s most desirable places to live.
📍 Where Is Somerset County, New Jersey?
Nestled in Central Jersey, Somerset County is a beautifully curated blend of colonial towns, upscale suburbs, corporate campuses, and wooded trails. It’s about 45 minutes from NYC, an hour from Philly, and offers a high quality of life without big-city pressure.
Snapshot:
- County Seat: Somerville
- Population: ~345,000
- Top Towns: Bridgewater, Bernardsville, Hillsborough, Montgomery, Bound Brook
- Known For: Affluent suburbs, historic estates, corporate hubs, top-ranked schools
Think country clubs, covered bridges, and great coffee shops all rolled into one.
🌤️ Climate & Landscape – Scenic All Year Round
With lush landscapes, gentle hills, and river valleys, Somerset County is truly one of NJ’s most photogenic spots.
Nature Highlights:
- Raritan River
- Watchung Mountains
- Duke Farms 🌼
- Sourland Mountain Preserve
- Colonial park gardens & trails
☀️ Climate Overview:
| Season | Avg Temp (°F) | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 50–70 | Bloomy & breezy 🌸 |
| Summer | 75–90 | Green, warm, and lively ☀️ |
| Fall | 50–70 | Golden leaves everywhere 🍁 |
| Winter | 25–40 | Calm and cozy ❄️ |
Bring a camera and a hiking backpack — you’ll use both.
🏘️ Best Places to Live in Somerset County
Whether you’re looking for a gated community, walkable town, or horse property, Somerset County delivers upscale living in style.
🏡 Top Towns Overview:
| Town | Lifestyle Style | Avg Home Price | Commute to NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | Suburban + commercial | $610,000 | 60–70 min |
| Bernardsville | Historic + exclusive | $900,000 | 55–65 min |
| Hillsborough | Family-friendly + spacious | $560,000 | 65–75 min |
| Montgomery | Academic, quiet, upscale | $720,000 | 75–85 min |
| Somerville | Walkable, urban-lite | $480,000 | 60 min |
Want convenience? Bridgewater. History and prestige? Bernardsville. Suburban bliss? Hillsborough.
💼 Economy & Job Market – Work, Live, Thrive
Somerset County is a corporate magnet with a strong white-collar workforce, many global company HQs, and tons of remote/hybrid professionals.
🔝 Top Sectors:
- Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences (Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson)
- Financial Services
- Healthcare & Hospitals
- Logistics & Warehousing
- Education & Public Service
💰 Quick Stats:
- Median Household Income: ~$122,000
- Unemployment Rate: ~3.6%
- High percentage of remote and hybrid professionals
- Corporate parks = major career hubs
You can build a career and grow a garden here. That’s Somerset style.
🏠 Real Estate – Elegant, Livable, Worth Every Dollar
You won’t find “cheap” homes here — but you will find incredible quality, gorgeous neighborhoods, and smart investments.
🏠 Real Estate Comparison:
| Area | Avg Home Price | Avg Rent (2BR) | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | $610,000 | $2,500 | ~2.1% |
| Hillsborough | $560,000 | $2,300 | ~2.2% |
| Bernardsville | $900,000 | $3,200 | ~2.3% |
| Somerville | $480,000 | $2,000 | ~2.0% |
| Montgomery | $720,000 | $2,800 | ~2.1% |
Trends:
- New developments in Hillsborough + Montgomery
- Strong historic home market in Bernardsville, Basking Ridge
- High homeownership rate (~76%)
This is where your “forever home” dreams start making sense.
🚆 Transportation – Commuter-Friendly
Despite the countryside vibes, Somerset County is commuter-ready with great train access, buses, and strategic highways.
🚗 Getting Around:
- NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line (Somerville, Bridgewater)
- Routes 287, 202, 206, and 78
- Local shuttles, park-and-ride lots
- Newark Liberty Airport: ~40–45 min
- NYC by train: ~1 hr (depending on town)
Hybrid workers and NYC commuters love it here — it’s like getting the best of both.
🎓 Education – Among the Best in NJ
Education is a major asset in Somerset County. Schools are high-ranking, well-funded, and community-supported.
📚 Top School Districts:
- Montgomery Township School District
- Bernards Township Schools (Basking Ridge)
- Hillsborough Township Public Schools
- Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
- Somerville Public Schools
🎓 Higher Ed Nearby:
- Raritan Valley Community College
- Rutgers University (30 min)
- Princeton University (25–35 min)
Families move here for the schools. And they stay for the everything else.
🏥 Healthcare – Top-Tier Access
You’ll find top-rated hospitals, specialists, and wellness services across the county.
🏥 Key Providers:
- Robert Wood Johnson Somerset (Somerville)
- Atlantic Health System (Bernardsville/Basking Ridge)
- RWJBarnabas affiliates + urgent care centers
- Mental health, pediatrics, senior care all available locally
🌳 Parks, Golf & Outdoor Lifestyle
Somerset is outdoor-living heaven. Whether you hike, golf, ride, or picnic — there’s a trail, fairway, or garden with your name on it.
🌲 Must-Explore Spots:
- Duke Farms – sustainability, trails, and beauty 🌼
- Sourland Mountain Preserve – hiking, biking
- Washington Rock State Park – epic overlook
- Colonial Park – gardens + paddle boats
- Neshanic Valley Golf Course
Trade weekend traffic for forest trails — just 10 minutes from home.
🍴 Dining, Shopping & Local Flavor
From farm-to-table gems to gourmet grocers, Somerset County takes taste seriously.
🍽️ What Locals Love:
- Origins Thai (Somerville) – chef-style cuisine
- 3 West (Basking Ridge) – stylish steakhouse
- The Bernards Inn – upscale dining + event space
- The Farmer and the Chickpea – rustic bakery & brunch spot
- Verve (Somerville) – cocktails + jazz vibes
🛍️ Where to Shop:
- Bridgewater Commons Mall
- Downtown Somerville boutiques
- Local farms & wineries (hello, peach season 🍑)
🕊️ Culture, Community & Lifestyle
Somerset is classy, diverse, and community-centered. Expect festivals, outdoor concerts, and neighborhood events all year long.
- Street fairs, art walks, jazz nights
- Historical reenactments & museum tours
- Family movie nights & seasonal parades
- Strong community organizations + youth sports
- Growing diversity with Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Latino communities
🛡️ Safety & Peace of Mind
With low crime rates and high civic engagement, Somerset County is one of NJ’s safest and most livable regions.
| Town | Safety Score (1–10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | 1/10 | Quiet and exclusive |
| Hillsborough | 2/10 | Suburban and secure |
| Bernardsville | 1/10 | Top-tier safety and privacy |
| Bridgewater | 2/10 | Very family-friendly |
| Somerville | 3/10 | Urban-lite, very walkable |
📊 Somerset County Snapshot
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | ~345,000 |
| Median Income | ~$122,000 |
| Median Home Price | ~$620,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | ~2.1% |
| School Rating Average | 9.0/10 |
| Homeownership Rate | ~76% |
| Commute to NYC (avg) | ~60 minutes |
✅ Should You Move to Somerset County?
If you want:
- Top-tier schools
- Prestigious neighborhoods
- Outdoor life with easy city access
- A safe, scenic place to raise a family or retire
- Long-term real estate value
Then Somerset County, New Jersey is an obvious winner.
Pros:
- Elite schools & career access
- Gorgeous homes and green space
- Low crime, high pride
- Great for families, professionals & retirees
Cons:
- Property taxes (welcome to NJ 😅)
- Not much nightlife
- Higher home prices (but worth it)
🔗 External Resource
Check out the Official Somerset County Government Website for events, services, and programs.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Somerset County, New Jersey is for people who want more from life — more space, more peace, more beauty, and a little more breathing room between the noise and the nest.
It’s not just where you live — it’s where you grow, thrive, and stay.