The Hills, NJ

The Hills is a sprawling master-planned community set against the scenic backdrop of Somerset County. Spanning parts of both Bedminster and Bernards townships, it offers an easy mix of starter condos, spacious townhomes, and larger single-family houses linked by winding tree-lined streets. Because the community crosses municipal borders, your specific address determines your property taxes, local services, and town government. It feels like a self-contained enclave with its own shopping plazas and neighborhood parks, while sitting right alongside Interstate 287, Interstate 78, and Routes 202 and 206 for quick regional travel.

Development here started in the early 1980s, transforming what was once quiet rural farmland into one of the most popular planned residential areas in Central Jersey. Developers built dozens of distinct neighborhoods across the property, giving each pocket its own architectural look and price point. The higher elevation on the Bernards side provides rolling hillside views, while the Bedminster sections sit closer to the highway corridors and local corporate centers. Today, decades of mature trees, manicured lawns, and wooded buffers give the entire area an established, peaceful suburban atmosphere.

If you are house hunting here, the township line is one of the first things to look at closely. Living on the Bernards Township side puts you in the Bernards school district, feeding into Ridge High School, whereas the Bedminster side attends Bedminster Township School for grades PreK through 8 and Bernards High School for high school. You will also want to review the homeowners association documents carefully. Most properties belong to both a master association and a smaller neighborhood HOA. Monthly dues, rental caps, pet restrictions, and exterior maintenance coverage vary quite a bit from one section to the next, so take time to check what the fees cover for things like roofs, siding, and community amenities.

Day-to-day living is centered around recreation and convenience. Depending on your neighborhood, you get access to community pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and miles of paved walking trails that wind through the hills. For everyday errands, the Highlands Village Center sits right within the development, giving residents quick access to a Kings supermarket, local dining, banking, and preschool care. When you want to branch out for dinner or weekend outings, the historic downtowns of Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, and Pluckemin are only a short drive away, while nearby train stations and highway interchanges keep the commute into New York City manageable.