Overview
Bridgewater is located west of New York in Central New Jersey. Part of Somerset County, the township is popular for its annual festivals and historic attractions. Besides this, retirees enjoy the township's active downtown area, small boutiques, and local baseball park.
Climate & Geography
Bridgewater has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Residents can expect 47 inches of rain, 23 inches of snow, and 206 sunny days per year.
Most of Bridgewater is flat, but the Watchung Mountains pass through the township, causing hilly terrain in the northeast part of the township. Most of Bridgewater’s borders are lined by small rivers and streams.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
Bridgewater’s popular attractions range from its baseball park, TD Bank Ballpark, to its historical attractions, including Sri Venkateswara Temple. There are also many state and local parks that residents can visit, including some forest preserves and valleys.
Downtown, residents can find plenty of restaurants, antique shops, and other shopping centers. The city is also home to many annual festivals like the Festival of Ballooning. Bridgewater is also an hour from New York City, where residents can find even more amenities.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bridgewater is higher than both state and national averages. This is due to the housing cost, which is well above the U.S average.
In New Jersey, Social Security benefits are untaxed, and residents 65 and older qualify to exclude some of their retirement income from taxation. They may also be eligible for property tax reimbursement and a $250 tax deduction from property taxes. The combined sales tax rate for Bridgewater is 6.63 percent.
Health Care
The New York metro area ranks in the top 65 communities on Gallup's Well-Being Index.
Residents of Bridgewater are in close proximity to quality health care providers. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, located two miles from Bridgewater, is rated high performing by U.S. News. There are also three nationally ranked hospitals within 20 miles: St. Peter's University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Morristown Medical Center.