Warren County New Jersey in the metropolitan area of New York s historical treasure to be discovered

Warren County New Jersey in the metropolitan area of New York s historical treasure to be discovered When people head for New York and the surrounding environment in search of a weekend moves, always at the weste end of Connecticut, the Hudson River Valley, the Catskill and the areas of New York, Jersey Shore and the Hamptons . As the places where New York, the tradition of the holiday, purchases of second homes, Celebrity Watch, and more, and 'understandable that these premises are at the top of the list. But what is a place closer to Manhattan, as one of the hot spots mentioned above provides almost everything we find endearing about our goals for the second choice, and Vacation Rentals? villages and historic towns, amazing scenery, outdoor activities, farms, farm markets, artists, country restaurants? but can not be? t the buzz or the name recognition, at least not yet. This is an area in the metropolitan region of New York which is still ignored by the masses. If residents are already starting Friday evening dinner in their farms in stone, and Weekenders are stuck in traffic on the way to Litchfield, or Rhinebeck, or East Hampton. Even countries like the next Bucks and Pike counties in Pennsylvania and Sullivan County, New York more pressing. Now let me give you the previously depressed backlog is beautiful and convenient countryside of Warren County, New Jersey. It 'interesting that surrounds Warren counties, which consistently rank among the richest in America: Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris. These neighborhoods are full of investors, a well-educated workforce, an abundance of so-called McMansions, and some 'of disposable income. And to be sure, some of Warren? S border town on the developments and the transplantation of these increasingly inaccessible neighborhoods. But in most cases, it is the locals who know to check, or to visit or live in Warren County and even then, the weste and northe rural areas and much still intact. For most of its history, Warren County is a mystery to those who have never seen, or a place to avoid those that are already its largest city, Phillipsburg - a poor city, the industry was in difficult times. A pleasant surprise, four years ago, my partner Mark and the village in southe Warren County Finesville purely coincidental. Living in suburban Morristown New Jersey, we were buying a second home in the village, and saw a house in Bucks County Pennsylvania real estate on a Web site that interests us. Again for a weekend ride, we decided to find. With map in hand, we have what seemed a direct route to upper Bucks County and you will find us on the Musconetcong River, Warren County along? S southe border, past a collection of some fifty small but beautiful 18th and 19 century, stone and clapboard building, known as Finesville, just before we have in Pennsylvania. Although Warren County barely on my radar screen as a real estate agency, specializing in historic homes and neighborhoods - ---, I was surprised that there was a village of this size and quality in northe New Jersey, of which I was not aware of. Even more surprising, Mark grew up in easte Warren County, and we had an auction, just three kilometers from Finesville so I had some 'knowledge of the territory. With its roots in the mid-18th Century Finesville began as a collection of taveas, shops and a mill on the river from Belle Musconetcong Siegel and families in Germany. The village was relatively prosperous for most of its history, but in the course of the twentieth century. Today, the premises and has regained many of its buildings and, what is seen as a sign of his increasingly sophisticated type, two vineyards, a winery, an antique store and a shop alpaca farm in the village. Some of the restorations were so impressive that two houses were recently Finesville national home and garden magazines. Over time we discovered a stone c.1825 Georgian colonial has been for sale in the country. The exterior was in some ruins, the plaster was cracked and peeling, the original and the doors were gone. But the setting for this unusual and unspoilt village was beautiful and the price of $ 135,000, was irresistible. Once inside, we realized it was our dream house in the village. The interior was almost completely intact, with a walk in fireplace, cupboard stairs, beams, wide board floors and original Windows? A jewel box of a house that just needs sprucing. And so we have this house and restored and received the Warren County Historic Preservation Award for our efforts. Even better, because the Warren County? S proximity to work, we have in house Morristown primary and across the country on a permanent basis. The villages and countryside Warren County is full of hidden and beautiful villages and cities as Finesville and arriving, some of them have tried to us to consider moving again. As evidence of the Warren County? S less than stellar reputation, the sign welcoming visitors at its headquarters describes Victorian Belvidere as? New Jersey? S best kept secret?. Belvidere is a sleepy village off and set the path for a new England-style Village Green. Every year in September the city celebrates the Victorian days, where the architecture of the 19th Century spread through the streets that the lines and forms the basis for the city? Small business district. Most large houses have been restored and is a great sense of pride for this small community. The privileged location on the Delaware River and Pequest makes a good base for outdoor activities. Northe Warren County offers a scene that compete with the best in New England. Hope is a traffic light intersection in the city, founded in the 18th Century by a group of Moravia, which has left an impressive collection of stone houses and now restored to businesses and residences. One of them is a former gristmill in a hotel and conference center. Stone and clapboard houses, surrounded by cows and sheep develop a landscape reminiscent of the Litchfield Hills. With little commercial development in the hope that the pace is slow, but determined that only increases their attractiveness. North of Hope, slightly larger village of Blairstown, recently restored with its collection of shops and restaurants, which are currently under examination of the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street is bookended by a prestigious preparatory school and the city? S venerable feed store. This is a village on foot, for good now? I walk with weekend guests and lots of shops and quiet streets. Just west of Hope and Blairstown, outdoor activities are there in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Appalachian Trail, Millbrook, a village of 19. Century, and Pietro Valle, an artists' colony, which offers regular exhibitions and shows. At the easte edge of Warren, Hackettstown yet 19. Century feel with impressive colorful Victorian houses, antique shops along Main Street and Centenary College in their midst. Phillipsburg? An industrial city Rebo as beautiful Warren County? S country, is the city that he initially tried to avoid that has captured our imagination, and finally tear us away from Finesville. The Circle? The largest city is a small, former industrial city and transport hub on the Delaware River, which has been neglected. Think of Hoboken in New Jersey and New York before the Hudson gentrification. Fortunately, that neglect, as in most of Warren County, is much of its history and in the last 20 years, manufacturers have been peeling aluminum trailing trains of old architecture breathtaking. The city promotes the enhancement and development of businesses - businesses in Phillipsburg office only 3% sales tax, with some of that money for revitalization projects. Progress has been slow, but now there are many restaurants, restored high in the center, and numerous antique shops and specialty stores. Travel by train along the Delaware River and the beginning of the center are very popular in summer as well as Halloween and the winter holidays. On Thanksgiving, Phillipsburg High School plays its rival Easton Pennsylvania in their annual football. P? Castle, like the locals, it is extremely convenient, as do Routes 78 and 22, just outside the city, as well as the express bus to Manhattan, which stops at the Phillipsburg Mall. There are several plans Phillipsburg, including rehabilitation of water used in a residential area, with construction set to begin in 2006, and the reuse of an industrial park in a new shopping center. It is said that there is a bed and breakfast is planned to take in a tave near the historic stone bridge over the Delaware River. Phillipsburg is the site for the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Museum. Unfortunately, legislation to secure the funding to do, has not yet happened, and it seems unlikely. However, the city is committed to building a museum, and plans are already in preparation. Just across the river, offers restaurants Easton Pennsylvania, the Crayola Factory museum, a very popular store (a branch of pop hopes in Warren County), a thriving artist community, the State Theater and the historic neighborhood of College Hill. Even more exciting, there are several luxury condominium developments currently under construction or planned in the historic Easton existing properties, such as former Easton Hotel, full of people near the center of Phillipsburg. Phillipsburg has great bones and incredible architecture. South Main Street, near the Delaware River Bridge is mostly restored and ready for next spring cold or South Norwalk or New Paltz. And the prices are still relatively cheap. Some years ago we purchased two historic buildings in Phillipsburg? S Main Street: A fire department in 1887 for $ 60,000 and 19 century, Georgian-style colonial for $ 90,000. As the city continues to revive, we are on a move to the colonial period, as our permanent home, so we can wake up Saturday moing and go to our favorite breakfast place on the streets. Although we? Ll probably Finesville as our house in the country.