Originally known as West Bloomingdale, there wasn't much activity until water power brought a lot of manufacturing into the town. It was finally named Butler in 1881 after the owner of the Hard Rubber Company, Richard Butler.
Butler's history runs along the Pequannock River, where the Newborough Hard Rubber Company and the Pequannock Paper Company established, bringing prosperity, jobs, and population beginning in the late 19th century
Originally known as West Bloomingdale, there wasn't much activity until water power brought a lot of manufacturing into the town. It was finally named Butler in 1881 after the owner of the Hard Rubber Company, Richard Butler.
Butler's history runs along the Pequannock River, where the Newborough Hard Rubber Company and the Pequannock Paper Company established, bringing prosperity, jobs, and population beginning in the late 19th century. Although those factories burned down, the old-school downtown remained and has many charming shops, including the ever-popular High Point Brewing Company, a full brewery which offers tours and tastings of their popular Ramstein beer. Even though Butler is only 35 miles from Manhattan, it feels like a whole other universe, filled with families in small homes and close to nature. Surrounded by Norvin Green State Forest, Pyramid Mountain and Farny State Park, it's easy to feel like you're living the country lifestyle. Silas Condict State Park, right on the edge of town, is particularly known for its outdoor recreation opportunities. And only an hour's drive to the birthplace of punk music (CBGB's) ? It's like having your cake and eating it too.
From Kinnelon Rd to Boonton Rd, you'll find in Butler a perfect small town life, quite different from the hustle and bustle of nearby New York City or even Paterson, just a ways down the road. It's a slice of country life! It offers all the great amenities of rural, suburban living without being too far from the hustle and bustle of the great metropolis known as The Big Apple. And it's a whole other world from the housing market of the New York City metropolis, even though it's incredibly close. The homes are affordable here! Not only that, but the homes are just as beautiful as the town of Butler itself. Get ready, you're going to love it here!
The Housing Market
Most of the housing market in Butler consists of homes, but there a many apartment complexes and condos to choose from as well. Decide what you want, and need, before you begin your search so you can narrow it down. This way you won't waste time looking at things you don't want. You're sure to find exactly what you're looking for in Butler.
Renting
If you're renting in Butler, there's a few facts you'll definitely want to know. First off, you'll definitely want to keep in mind that much of the housing stock is pre-1970, which means the potential for costly repairs. Make sure and do a full inspection of the property when you move in, taking careful note of each nick, scratch, and other blemish that existed when you moved in. Not to say that there will be a lot! But sometimes it's worth taking a look, what can it hurt? It will only help you retrieve your full deposit, whenever you decide to move out.This can all be remedied by a good pre-purchase inspection, in which an inspector will tell exactly what's wrong with the house, structurally and otherwise.
It's a fiscally conservative community, so you will need to have all your credit information readily available for your potential landlords, past references and a few pay slips wouldn't hurt either! Last year's tax return usually works very well in ensuring any potential landlord that you'll be financially responsible. I'm not your mom, so I won't scold, but, gosh darn it, you gotta pay the rent on time! Ok, rant over.
The rental market is strongest running along the Paterson Hamburg turnpike, where you will find most apartments for rent, as well as houses. The rent in Butler can be a bit over average for New Jersey and often this doesn't include utilities, so make sure to pay attention to the fine print when signing your lease. A drafty old house will surely stack up the gas bills come winter time! Much more so than an apartment or condo, of course.
Being in such close proximity to New York, with such abundant natural surroundings, makes Butler indeed a supremely desirable place to live. Indeed, with its small town feel, its no surprise the population has steadily increased over the past decade. Escape from New York!
Round Hill: This is the main neighborhood in Butler, and where you're most likely to greet your new neighbors. The Round Hill neighborhood association, a town stalwart, provides news and organizes gatherings of the neighborhood. If you're looking to settle in quickly and make some friends, Round Hill may be the area just for you!
Downtown: Living downtown, however, is also an option. With its 19th century charm and fantastic old brick building, it brings to mind an old school New Jersey, from the days of Walk Whitman tramping around these hilltops. If you're the type that likes being close by to shops, restaurants, or possibly even work, than the downtown area has all that you want.
Ok, let's get real. Butler has a median income of over average for New Jersey. It's residents may not be swimming in cash, but it's residents are proud of Butler. Don't worry, you will be too! Most folks here work in small businesses and the community is proud of that can-do spirit. It's a stand-up community, full of small town values like hard work and earning your own keep. Over 87 percent of the town drives to work alone every day, but if you wanted to work in NYC, is only an hour train ride away. Traffic jams in many part of the country are at least that long!
This is small town living at its finest with fantastic outdoor opportunities surround Butler in every direction, including the Butler reservoir, East Lake, the numerous waterways to the north and the nearby Norvin Green State Forest. This town is perfectly positioned for those who want both the country and the city life. Combine that with the city's unique history as an industrial center, with its historic downtown -- including the High Point Wheat Beer Company with brews made fresh just for you --, and position right on the transit line to points east (Paterson, NJ and NYC), Butler is, quite simply, perfect slice of the American Dream.
