Within 50 miles of Manhattan, weekend getaway or vacation homes for sale in Sussex County, NJ, are very appealing to folks looking for a "country home" with little upkeep required. Prices have fallen drastically, so more people from New York City are purchasing vacation homes in the rural Sussex area. Folks from other distant areas are also jumping on the bandwagon!
Vacation properties in Sussex County being purchased by distant owners is nothing new. In 1961 my great-uncle Joe and aunt Dot purchased a summertime log cabin in Lake Tamarack, Stockholm, NJ. Brooklyn apartment dwellers, Dot and her 2 boys spent the entire summer enjoying the mountain air, lakes, hiking, etc. Joe came weekends and for his week's vacation. Dot's brother from Staten Island owned a lakefront cottage down the road; most of the neighbors were also city-dwellers seeking a great place to spend the summer.
The history of other vacation communities within Sussex, NJ is similar. Over time, most of the summer homes in Lake Mohawk, Scenic Lakes, Highland Lakes, etc., were converted for year-round residency or replaced by more modern homes.
The get-away appeal of Sussex County, NJ, is nothing new! Nor is it limited to summers - year round relaxation, strenuous sports and nature offer a 4-season change of pace. No matter what one's age, Sussex County NJ resort homes make a great place to have some fun.
In this little series of posts, we'll take a peek at why New Yorkers and even folks who own a beach house at Long Beach Island still want a ski condo near Mountain Creek, a small home adjoining Ballyowen Golf Course or one of the many other weekend getaway homes we have for sale in Sussex County!
Irene Kennedy's 2009 series on Getaway Properties in Sussex County, NJ:
- Part 1: Vacation Homes in Sussex County NJ - A Long Tradition!
- Part 2: Highland Lakes Vacation Properties
Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from www.RealtorIrene.com represents Irene's personal musings.
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or visit www.HomesIrene.com.
Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.
Irene, I really wish I'd known your Uncle Joe and Aunt Dot when I lived in New York! I'd have tried to hussle an invite!
Trust me, Pat, my family freeloaded every chance we got, although we were an hour away! Joe and Dot even took me for a month when I was 13 and my parents were ready to kill me.
I know you're in DC now, but trust me, Joe and Dot's niece would love you have you visit...
Irene...
I googled your first your first key phrase and you're sitting pretty in the #1 spot :)
TLW...ROAR!
TLW,
I would not have bothered to look so soon. Thanks for the tip - and for caring enough to visit! I land within the top few no matter what!!!
Both Brad's original and Bob's follow up posts are clearly useful for your newbies, Madame Ambassador!
Irene,
Nice Fall picture. Could be Scenic Lakes from what I remember. If I ever move back you're my Realtor.
Rich
Irene, That's interesting, the summer homes we had were so far--Rhode Island. I would have loved something closer and I don't think we ever thought of your beautiful area.
Rich,
I'll even give you a referral fee because you know your lakes! Was the label on the picture much of a hint? ;-)
Carole,
Most folks have never heard of my little, rural county! Particularly for you Long Island & NYC residents, a vacation home in Sussex County is a great option because it isn't just summer fun. Our apple-picking farms are a delight, many offering hayrides. Snowboarding & tubing expand ski options. In the last couple months, I've closed deals with 2 different city-slickers; at these prices, they jumped!
Please come visit and bring lots of friends who need a rural retreat! I'll host...
Nope. Lived there 15 years and spent a lot of time at the lake with the kids. Great shot BTW.
Come for a visit, Richard! You'll be amazed at some changes and how some aspects have retained the same charms of yesteryear.