Far Hills

Far Hills

Welcome to Far Hills, NJ

With just over 900 residents, Far Hills, New Jersey is a small borough, but its residents consider it the best place to live in the state. Homes in the Village range from the low $400,000’s to $800,000, there is a townhome community (The Polo Club) where homes range from low $600,000’s to $1,700,000. The balance of the community is built on 10 acre minumum lots and range from low $2,000,000 and upwards. The borough itself is only about 5 square miles.

Located in Somerset County, Interstate 287 runs along the perimeter of the upscale community. It is just 40 miles from New York City and 25 miles from Newark, but you would never know it once you get off the interstate and turn on one of Far Hills’s serene and peaceful winding roads. Train service is also available, as Far Hills has its own New Jersey Transit station.

While commuters enjoy the chance to surround themselves with nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, many others choose to take advantage of the quiet life here, as well. The community is home to the Far Hills Country Day School, as well as top notch public schools. New Jersey Monthly, Newsweek, The Daily Beast, and The Washington Post have ranked Bernards High School as one of the top schools in New Jersey and in the entire United States.

The United States Golf Association is headquartered here, and it has a museum that attracts golf enthusiasts from all over the country. Horses and the equestrian life are another pastime of many residents. As a matter of fact, one of the top social events of the year is the Far Hills Races steeplechase horserace which has been going on for 95 years. Nearly 25,000 to 45,000 people gather for the event each year. They are also home to the Visiting Nurse Association of The Somerset Hills Bi-Annual Rummage Sale which helps fund their organization.

For many years, Far Hills was simply a rural, mostly uninhabited part of Bernards Township. During the 1880s, a famous developer named Evander H. Schley purchased 1,000 acres there and invited his brother and sister-in-law, Grant and Elizabeth Schley, to visit via horse-drawn carriage. Legend has it that Elizabeth was taken with the scenery and made a comment about the “far hills” she saw. This would eventually become the inspiration for the name of the borough.

Not long after that visit Evander and Grant went to work creating the village. They bought and subdivided farms in the area and sold them to wealthy city dwellers looking for a country home. By 1890, Grant had organized train service to Far Hills called the “Millionaire Express,” and it eventually offered service to and from Hoboken. As the years passed, Bernards Township began raising taxes, and the residents of Far Hills decided to secede and incorporate their own municipality in 1921.

Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment in Far Hills

Far Hills is largely residential, but there are a few places to shop and dine. When you are craving a simple but delicious meal, try the sandwiches at The Butler’s Pantry Trackside. It is actually located at the train station, so commuters can grab a meal before they head out of town. M&M Perrotti’s is a popular deli, and Pizza Brothers is a great place to grab a slice or a pie. For upscale dining, the farm-to-table-style Ninety Acres is located at Natirar.

More shopping and dining options are available in nearby Bedminster Township and other surrounding towns. Far Hills is also just 8 miles from Bridgewater Commons and about 18 miles from The Mall at Short Hills, two popular New Jersey shopping destinations.

Another local attraction is the United States Golf Association Museum which is open to the public every day but Monday and features an extensive collection of golf memorabilia from throughout history.

Parks and Playgrounds in Far Hills

The residents and government of Far Hills work hard to maintain the community’s rural, undeveloped character, so you will find a number of parks, farms, and green spaces here, many of which are open to the public. The county operates the 33-acre Leonard J. Buck Garden, a popular botanical garden along the southern portion of the borough. Next to the botanical garden is the 14-acre Moggy Hollow Natural Area. It is a National Natural Landmark that once served as the drainage outlet for the Glacial Lake Passaic.

Real Estate Information

Most homes in Far Hills cost over $1 million, but you will find a few for as low as $500,000. The median home price is $899,000. The area requires all homes to be built on 10 or more acres, so expect large wooded and lush green lots with rolling hills where you will find everything from vintage farmhouses to multi-million dollar estates built throughout the last century. You will also find some undeveloped land for sale where you can build your own dream home.