Culinary ancestors: Lincoln Park, NJ is the birthplace of William A. Mitchell, the creator of Pop Rocks and Tang.
Lincoln Park may not have any claims to fame, but sometimes the best places to live are the ones that keep a low profile
Culinary ancestors: Lincoln Park, NJ is the birthplace of William A. Mitchell, the creator of Pop Rocks and Tang.
Lincoln Park may not have any claims to fame, but sometimes the best places to live are the ones that keep a low profile. To validate this theory, New Jersey Monthly magazine recently named Lincoln Park as one of the best places to live in New Jersey, due in part to its friendly small-town ambiance, civic pride and sense of community. It's the kind of place where the local library has a chess club (it really does), and where the local lacrosse team raises money by hosting a community spaghetti dinner. Along with this warm and fuzzy neighborhood vibe, you'll also find a major corporate presence here that includes Outwater Hardware Corporation and KayPentax, a major medical equipment manufacturer. With a population of 10,521 (2010 census), Lincoln Park truly qualifies as a small town, but with Newark and New York City just half an hour and 45 minutes away, respectively (as long as it's not rush hour), you're close to all the joys and none of the headaches of urban America.
If you're planning to search for rental property in Lincoln Park, you won't have to look long, because this city is chock full of attractive, affordable places to live in. Many folks choose to work in Newark or New York and live here because of the large number of rental homes, the lower rents and the small-town atmosphere. Condo rentals abound here, as do rental apartment complexes, but be prepared to decide quickly, because the best units can get snapped up pretty fast, thanks to Lincoln Park's large commuter population. If you can, try to schedule a scouting trip so that you can explore the town's neighborhoods and narrow down your search. The good news is that the whole of Lincoln Park covers around six square miles, so everything is centrally located near shops and services.
There's no prime renter's season here, so rates and availability stay pretty stable all year round. Be prepared to pay first month's rent plus a security deposit when you sign your lease. Also, be ready to pay a pet deposit if you happen to share your space with feline or canine companions. Many rentals are pet friendly in this area, but even the biggest dog-loving (or cat-loving) landlord will still demand a pet deposit to cover unforeseeable accidents, even if you say your furry friend is the best trained in the world. Chances are they've heard it before and aren't going to believe you.
Lincoln Park is too small to have clearly defined neighborhoods, but certain sections of town are especially rich in apartment complexes, condo and home rentals. Here are a few places to start your search:
Windsor Drive: This area has a number of elegant townhouses and condos for rent or for sale and is just a few minutes from the rail station.
Gettysburg Way: You'll find several attractive townhouses for rent here, with amenities such as clubhouses and swimming pools. You'll also find homes for sale or rent here, and you may be lucky enough to find one with a rent-to-own option. Bike and pedestrian friendly, this neighborhood is conveniently close to area stores and restaurants.
Robertson Way: This neighborhood features a number of apartment complexes with a variety of units available in all sizes and price points -- well, practically. Plus, you'll also find condos, townhouses and plenty of homes with wooded lots in this lovely, bike-friendly urban oasis.
The ever-efficient NJ Transit System offers bus and rail service throughout the area, so you can easily (and quickly) commute from Lincoln Park to Newark by train and avoid rush hour on the expressway. Likewise, you can get just about anywhere by bus, so it's actually possible to get by without having a car here. Most areas in town are user friendly for bikers and motorcyclists, however, it still helps to have your own four wheels, particularly if you're planning to make regular forays into the big city.
Lincoln Park has a great moderate climate, with July highs in the mid-to-upper 80's. During the coldest month of January, highs hover around 40, and you can expect around 27 inches of snow every winter, so you might want to invest in a snow shovel.
Even though it's a relatively small town, Lincoln Park seems to pick up its share of urban energy from its metropolis neighbors, so there's always plenty to do here. For example, how would you like to learn how to fly a helicopter? The folks over at Heli Flights (425 Beaverbrook Road) can provide you with enough professional flight training to make you a fully certified helicopter pilot, so you'll be able to take off whenever the spirit moves you.
If your sense of adventure leads you to lower elevations, trek over to Lincoln Park Community Lake (37 Ryerson Rd), an urban oasis offering hiking / biking lanes, playing fields, fitness equipment and a pristine lake to enjoy. The area also hosts several major events throughout the year.
If golf's your thing, you'll soon become a regular at Meadows Golf Club, where you'll find an 18-hole par 70 course created for a variety of playing skills. Another local favorite is Twin Willows Par 3 Golf (167 Ryerson Rd), a nine-hole course that's designed to accommodate both beginners and advanced players. If you prefer the type of golf that involves windmills and waterfalls, then check out Willowbrook Golf Center (366 Route 46 Service Rd E) in neighboring Wayne, where you'll find a cool mini golf course that features fun and funky hazards at a variety of skill levels.
Dining tends to be casual here, and in addition to the usual cluster of fast-food restaurants, you'll find a number of locally owned eateries where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the always pleasurable informality of small town life. For a truly spectacular meal, stop by 202 Italian Bistro (177 Main St), where you can feast upon mushroom ravioli in cream truffle sauce, linguini frutti di mare and a coconut-crusted tilapia to die for. Another local favorite is Sunset Pub and Grill (425 Beaver Brook Rd), which offers great burger platters and tasty wings. Be sure to try the Santa Fe egg rolls -- deeeelicious! When you need to wet your whistle, check out Bardi's (149 Newark Pompton Tpke), a friendly neighborhood bar just minutes away in Pequannock. You'll enjoy tasty barroom eats (including fantastic chili nachos), super drink specials and a welcoming atmosphere. Next door in Wayne, you'll also find several local hangouts to enjoy, including Tilted Kilt (334 US 46 E), a Scottish-themed pub with a super beer list, great happy hour specials and awesome Irish nachos (made of homemade potato chips covered in Guinness beer cheese sauce).
If you want an opportunity to really mingle with the locals and get your finger on the pulse of this charming town, make sure you attend Lincoln Park Day, an annual event that was created to promote community pride. Held every September at the Municipal Complex near Main Street and Chapel Hill Road, the event features exhibit booths with arts and crafts, free giveaways by locally owned businesses, rides, a flea market, great festival food and live entertainment from area performers.
There's an urban sophistication here that makes Lincoln Park something of a paradox. It has the lush, pristine loveliness of a small northeastern town, yet there's an underlying savviness that makes this anything but a backwater town. With its low-key profile, Lincoln Park is something of a best-kept secret in this region, which makes it an even more intriguing, and ultimately fascinating, place to live. Plus, New York City is only 45 minutes away. Does it get any better than this?
Best market dealsThese units are the best deal in town.