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Beginner’s guide to New Jersey’s residential architecture
What pops into your head when you think New Jersey? The Jersey Shore boardwalk, the fact that it’s the diner capital of the world, or the first notes of Born in the USA? Whatever it is, it probably isn’t its residential architecture, or any architecture for that matter.
Certain US cities have an established look. New York’s brownstones and high rises, Philadelphia’s row houses, and Chicago with an entire school of architecture come to the forefront of most people’s minds when they think about these cities. The same cannot quite be said for New Jersey. To an outsider coming in, New Jersey probably looks like one suburban community after the next. While there is a lot of that around, there is also a surprising amount of different residential styles. This beginner’s guide to New Jersey’s residential architecture will try to pull the curtain back a little. We will attempt to show New Jersey architecture in all its varied glory.
Urban housing
With New York City real estate prices being on a constant upwards path, more people are choosing to opt for a commute into the city. New Jersey offers more affordable housing while still remaining in an urban area just across the Hudson. In the last 20 to 30 years, there has been an increase in the construction of residential high rises, which have previously not been associated with New Jersey. People can find homes in buildings with all of the amenities that characterize living in a metropolitan area.
As far as the look goes, these buildings are as contemporary as anything that crops up on the Manhattan skyline. They make use of metal and glass mostly, but others attempt to fit in with the more traditional buildings around them. The historical architecture often associated with New Jersey remains, but it mostly houses institutions rather than residential homes, and these new buildings have a style of their own.
The suburbs
A guide to residential style in the suburbs is much more straightforward. This is New Jersey’s residential architecture that is easily recognizable. For the most part, suburban New Jersey homes are colonial in style. These areas are filled with homes that are more traditional and that allow their residents to experience the true life in the suburbs. There are roof shingles and stone veneers. Some homes are done in brick or siding. Colonial homes are rectangular and spacious, with bedrooms located on the second floor. However, even if they look traditional on the outside, you can still use the latest interior design trends to decorate them to your liking.
Tradition is the name of the game here and there is no desire for intensely contemporary or cutting edge architecture. This goes for both houses and buildings alike. They wouldn’t fit in on these streets anyway. For this reason, most new constructions have to be approved by an architectural review board. This board will ensure that any new construction fits into the overall look of the neighborhood. In most cases, these buildings will be three to four stories high and have space for businesses on the ground floor. This keeps these streets from becoming overcrowded and, among other things, ensures that going from one to the other when moving house can be quick and simple.
Sustainable architecture
Much like elsewhere in the developed world, New Jersey’s residential architecture has begun adopting certain environment-friendly practices. Very often, the new buildings and houses under construction will adopt a traditional, almost historic look in order to fit in, but many New Jersey residential architects will use cutting edge technology to make homes that are green from scratch. Sustainable architecture in New Jersey means that the construction is able to conserve energy, uses sustainable materials, and fits in well with its natural surroundings. Green design just makes sense for many different reasons, such as being more economical because of its energy-saving properties. It is being thoroughly embraced by landlords and tenants alike.
Moving to New Jersey
If you are looking for a place to move and New Jersey’s residential architecture seems enticing, here are some other points to consider. The steps to any successful move would be as follows:
- Figure out where you want to go and what kind of housing you would like.
- Hire a real estate agent to help you find your perfect home.
- Contact professional movers like Aceline Moving to make your relocation easy and stress-free
Why move to New Jersey?
The variety of housing outlined in this beginner’s guide to New Jersey’s residential architecture could be the first reason why it might be a good idea to move to the Garden State. No matter what you are into or what your lifestyle is, New Jersey’s likely to have you covered. You could enjoy all of the perks of a suburban lifestyle while remaining fairly close to the world’s greatest metropolitan area.
Living in the Garden State doesn’t only mean having a great-looking yard with filled your favorite plants. Nature is another big draw of this great state. No matter where you decide to settle, chances are that you will be close to some mountains or a freshwater lake or river. The Watchung Mountains and the Appalachians stretch throughout the state. The fall foliage is as splendid as anywhere in New England as well. All of these things provide so many opportunities for fun outdoor activities.
Whether it is hiking with the family, mountain biking, or skiing in winter, living in New Jersey comes with plenty of opportunities for healthy fun. Not only that, but it is also the home of Six Flags Great Adventure and other theme parks perfect for thrill-seekers. The shore and its boardwalks are also great summer fun for the whole family. You practically don’t have to leave the state all year round to get your kicks!
