The annual St. George's Strawberry Festival, held in Middlesex County (home of Kendall Park) every June, features the plumpest and juiciest strawberries that ever graced shortcakes.
A planned community that has a plethora of cute ranch-style and colonial homes, Kendall Park is a smallish CDP with a lot going for it, especially housing
The annual St. George's Strawberry Festival, held in Middlesex County (home of Kendall Park) every June, features the plumpest and juiciest strawberries that ever graced shortcakes.
A planned community that has a plethora of cute ranch-style and colonial homes, Kendall Park is a smallish CDP with a lot going for it, especially housing. Sure, there are limited amenities within town if you're aching for a walkable downtown, but that keeps the trees green and the noises natural (and quiet). The beauty of this South Brunswick Township location is its proximity to all the cool stuff the East Coast has to offer, from bar hopping in Philly to Broadway watching in NYC. And while MTV may have soured some fans on it, the Jersey Shore never stops being an entertaining place to soak up the sun and people watch. Yes, Kendall Park is lovely. It even has some neat features within the border. If you're hungry for a new destination that has a little of everything, from friendly neighbors to access to nightlife, you've found your dream spot.
There is more to know about moving to Kendall Park than adopting a Jersey accent and learning to gel your hair (kidding!). The reality is renters have an uphill battle, as most folks opt to buy. That doesn't mean it's impossible to find a spot, but you should dedicate a sizable amount of time to finding a location, especially if you're picky. Give yourself several months to search. You may even have to check the surrounding neighborhoods, but don't worry; you'll find a sweet spot. If you can handle it, finding a rental home is easier than finding a one-bedroom apartment, so feel free to scale up and get that backyard of your dreams if you can manage it.
Ze Papers
Make sure that you have all your information ready to go when you do find a place, so you can settle in without any bumps or hassles. Landlords look for ID, credit history, pay stubs and sometimes more to ensure you're the tenant they want. Keep a cashier's check handy for the security deposit that is certainly a part of negotiations.
Amenities
New Jersey homes have a lot of character, as many were built in the '50s, but they don't always have a lot space. If you love a cozy bungalow or ranch house, you're going to do just fine here. But you can't expect bedrooms to be overly spacious. As for apartment rentals, you can expect a wide array of options, but there are plenty of premier apartments and luxury apartments with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and fun stuff like pools. If finding places to rent in Kendall Park means settling for nothing but the best, you won't have to compromise much.
Kendall Park doesn't have any distinctive neighborhoods per se, but you may be better suited to one area than another. Read below to find your perfect fit.
West of New Road: The northern part of this area boasts tidy neighborhoods with those 1950s style ranch homes and colonial style units. Rentals are few and far between, but you can find a winner every once in a while. Woodlot Park is here and so is access to HWY 27, and if you need a bit to eat, try Lili's spring rolls.
Between New Road and Sand Hill Road: If you have a sweet tooth, make time to try Confectionately Yours on Lincoln HWY (27); it's not just a tasty name. In this midsection you still have that access to HWY 27, but you also have HWY 1 nearby, if you live on the southern portion of this section. Barrett Gardens and Green Hill Manor offer rental units, and homes are speckled all over.
East of Sand Hill Road: Trafalgar House rentals sits just over the border and is worth considering, but for the most part, this area is for homes, renters and owners, though Dusal's Coffee is a popular chill spot and has good pizza. Veterans Park and Beech Woods Park are in this area too, for those who love picnics and puppies.
Living life like a local is good business around here. With only around 9,000 people in the whole CDP, you're bound to make friends with plenty of people. That's great for keeping your social calendar full, but if you're more the secretive type, you may want to park yourself somewhere on the outside of the developments. There's an abundant selection of recreational diversions, too, especially if you're comfortable traveling. Don't worry. You won't need a car necessarily, though it certainly helps, but more on that later.
The Big Outdoors
Fans of adventure and heart-pounding recreation will never be at a loss as long as they can get out of town. The Jersey Shore is just a little over 20 miles outside of town, so body boarders, surfers, swimmers and lazy tanners can get their sun on. Besides that, there are hiking trails, parks and biking paths to explore. As for big city entertainments, your options are nearly limitless. Philadelphia is less than an hour away and so is Manhattan. If you need to party hardy without traveling quite as far, Princeton is roughly five miles away with a gorgeous downtown area that's walkable, and it has restaurants, bars and shops aplenty.
Cultural Stimulation
Maybe getting sand in your nether regions or fighting the waves isn't really your style. If you're more intellectually minded or just eager to stimulate the old walnut, you're in luck. The whole state of New Jersey is flush with dance performances, concerts, theaters, art galleries and museums. If you need some refreshments before or after your educated excursions, try anywhere along Highway 27 (Lincoln Highway) for a taste of Japanese, Italian, Greek or American food.
Getting Around Town
You may have heard something about getting around town without a vehicle. Such rumors are true, but they're just a wee bit exaggerated. Since this is a small CDP with limited close amenities, you'll basically need a car to run errands or go to work. However, the public transit options are pretty fantastic, and you can get to Philly, NY or other relatively nearby hotspots using one of several NJ transit services, including PATH, Amtrak, MTA, SEPTA, PATCO, as well as light rails and ferries. The Port Authority bus station isn't too far either, though you'll probably drive there.
One more caveat: New Jersey traffic is notoriously terrible. The Turnpike, which is only a few miles from Kendall Park, is always seeing bumper-to-bumper action. If long commutes bother you, definitely look into the public transit options.
A Word About Weather
New Jersey sits on the East Coast, which has been known to see some less than hospitable weather from time to time. You'd do best to be prepared for certain eventualities before you show up. Kendall Park, like the rest of the state, experiences all four seasons. Spring and fall--mostly fall--are beautiful, with changing leaves and temperate weather. Winter, on the other hand, is quite chilly, with snow and cold winds that require suitable attire. Bring it or buy it; you'll definitely need it. Summer is its own bittersweet reward. It's warm and sunny, and the beach calls, but it's also humid, sticky and, sometimes, smelly. The odor depends on where in NJ you are (K Park does not smell), but maybe practice some breathing exercises before you move. Oh, and don't forget hurricanes are a thing here. Make sure you pay attention to any emergency calls.
New Jersey sometimes gets a bad rap, but most of that is from haters. With the sunny shoreline, big cities and lush countryside so close, you can't really complain too much. Yes, the traffic is bad, but they pump your gas at every station! In addition to that, cost of living is reasonable and crime is fairly low. Add in Dunkin' Donuts and you pretty much have the perfect place to reside. Pack some bug spray, a pair of snow boots and a bikini; it's time to move Jersey!
