Manville, NJ

148 Apartments for Rent

The borough of Manville, New Jersey, is named after the Johns-Manville Product Corporation, which had a large manufacturing plant in the town.

Johns-Manville, best known as a supplier of construction materials, located its plant in the area because of the confluences of waterways, railroads and highways in the area. By 1929, the Hillsborough Township -- then the largest township in Somerset County, NJ -- split from Manville by an act of the State Legislature. This was primarily down to the expansion of Manville that had been caused by the rise of industry in the locality. But, enough of history, okay? Nowadays, Manville has left its industrial past behind and much of the former land that was used for manufacturing has long since been redeveloped. As of the 2010 census, the borough had a population that was well in excess of 10,000 inhabitants. It covers an area that is a little under two and a half square miles and only a small proportion of this is water with the vast majority of space being given over to residential dwellings, including apartment rentals. The Central Jersey Regional Airport, mostly servicing single-engine aircraft, lies to the southern edge of Manville. Much of the eastern and northern boundaries are formed by the aforementioned waterways, which made it such a good place for a twentieth century manufacturing base. Village Green Park, a pleasant open space, forms the approximate western perimeter.

Moving to Manville

When seeking serviced apartments in Manville -- or even studio apartments for that matter -- make sure that anything that you agree with the landlord in advance of handing over cash is fully documented in writing. This applies equally whether you are dealing with the landlord in person or through an agent. If there are minor things that are wrong with the apartment or house rent, such as a scratched wall, for example, then make a note of it before you sign a lease. It is worth knowing that New Jersey State law says that each lease in the area must use plain language and not be written down in a way that is too legally-worded. Once you have signed on the dotted line, it is difficult for your landlord later change your lease agreement, so bear in mind that it is primarily there to serve the rights of the renter.

If you are looking for a one- or two-bedroom apt for rent, then try searching around Main Street, since there are plenty of these sorts of residences that sit above the commercial outlets that run up and down it. For townhouses for rent, especially ones which will afford you a bit of a garden to enjoy, begin your search in the residential streets that run off Kennedy Boulevard or Brooks Boulevard. Manville's rental market tends to pick up when the weather gets better in spring. Therefore, a prime time to begin your search for rental homes in Manville is ahead of the competition early in the year. However, don't feel like you need to start then if it doesn't suit you to do so. It is probably only essential if you require something very specific from your search.

Neighborhoods Of Manville

Except for the higher density of apartments around Main Street, compared to the outskirts of Manville, there are very few clearly defined neighborhoods to speak of in the borough. Manville is split by Main Street, but most of the residential area lies on the western side of it.

Eastern Manville: There are plenty of condos for rent in this part of town. If you want an area with neatly kept front lawns and private driveways, then try looking around East Camplain Road which runs up close to the railroad. Alternatively, head from South Main Street along Kyle Street, which passes under the railroad, in the direction of Lincoln Avenue Park. This green open space backs on to the attractive Millstone River.

Western Manville: This part of the borough is laid out in a more regular grid formation and it is subsequently easier to navigate for newcomers. Manville Public Library is situated centrally on Washington Avenue, so this makes for a good place to get your bearings. There are soccer and baseball fields that are located to the far north of this side of town, off Dukes Parkway.

Living in Manville

Many of the industrial sites have been cleared in the borough under a so-called Superfund cleanup project. You'll find, for example, a large Wal-Mart in the place of one of the former factories. There is also a cinema complex, with all the latest releases, that occupies another. Okay, so it is probably of no surprise to you at all to learn that most of Manville's diners and restaurants are located on Main Street. However, check out Las Cascada on West Camplain Street, too. There's also a good bar called Northside Lounge on Brooks Boulevard worthy of a quick stop, if you are new to the area and want to find out what the local nightlife is like. One of the reasons that Manville is on so many people's lists of potential places to relocate to is that it lies centrally between two of the America's greatest metropolitan areas. In fact, it lies almost exactly midway between New York City and Philadelphia. A drive to Manhattan would usually take about an hour if you don't hit heavy traffic. Equally, you can reach North Philadelphia in much the same amount of time. And if you need to ride the bus to the Big Apple, then it is not a long trip to Union Avenue in nearby Somerville where you can find regular services. Thus, it seems that Manville has a history that is all about its location as a transport hub and the borough's present looks to be much the same.