Boonton
New Jersey's Best Towns for Families 2016 Morris County Winner
Population: 4,311
Average Home Price: $495,857
If you’re looking for a down-to-earth suburb steeped in wholesome values, Boonton is it. Tracy Lynn Paulozzo was born and raised in Boonton and is now raising her two children, Alex, 12, and Angela, 7, here with her husband Frank. “I like that everyone knows you and everyone looks out for your kids even when you’re not around. It’s safe here.”
Paulozzo also loves that when new visitors come, they don’t stay visitors for long. “There are a lot of rental properties in this town that bring in people from other areas of New Jersey and the country, but once they get here, they end up loving it so much, they stay. That has resulted in a lot of diversity,” she says. “I really like that my kids are introduced to every nationality, ethnicity and religion at this age. They are growing up with people from all over the world. That’s going to serve them well later in life.”
At only 2.45 square miles, Boonton is chock-full of parks, playgrounds and sports fields. But the gem here is Grace Lord Park, veined with waterfalls, stone ruins and hiking trails.
What’s more, even with the town’s great schools, starter homes remain affordable—Paulozzo bought her three-bedroom house last year for just $300,000. “We’d been renters for the last 20 years—we waited so long because I didn’t want to leave Boonton,” she explains, adding that they were saving up for a house they could afford in a specific neighborhood. “My sister and her family are up the street. My kids can walk to my parents’ house.”
While she loves the Labor Day Weekend carnival and the Halloween trunk-or-treat party, the Christmas parade, which her mother ran for 20 years, remains Paulozzo’s favorite. Volunteer firefighters from Boonton’s five companies (including husband, Frank) walk in the parade, as do the Harmony Senior Drum Corps, of which her father and son are members. “It’s the ultimate family day!” she says.
More of New Jersey's Best Towns for Families 2016
2016 Winner: New Jersey's Best Towns for Families
The Full 2016 List: New Jersey's Best Towns for Families
Best NYC Commuter Towns for Families in NJ
Most Diverse Towns for Families in NJ
Most Affordable Towns for Families in NJ
Safest Towns for Families in NJ
Towns With the Best School Districts in NJ
Hoboken: We Still Love You
Best Somerset County Town: Montgomery Twp
Best Union County Town: New Providence
Best Essex County Town: Essex Fells
Best Large Towns in NJ
Best Mid-Size Towns in NJ
Best Small Towns in NJ
Methodology for New Jersey's Best Towns for Families
See New Jersey's Best Towns
for Families for 2015 list
