Bridgewater Neighborhood Guide

     Bridgewater Township was part of a late seventeenth-century land purchase from the Lenni-Lenape Indians. The Township was created by Royal Charter by King George II of England on April 4, 1749. Originally covering 55 square miles, over the years several townships have been spun off the original Bridgewater, creating all or parts of Somerville, Warren, Branchburg, Bound Brook and Raritan Boro. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, current population is about 45,000.

Now shrunk to 33 square miles, Bridgewater borders on thirteen other municipalities, and occupies an enviable location with regard to transportation. It sits astride not only U.S. Routes 202, 206 and 22, but also Interstate 287, facilitating easy travel in whatever direction you travel. Interstate 78 is also close by, making east/west travel even faster. Moreover, New York City is reachable via the Raritan Valley Line of the New Jersey Transit trains, although a transfer has to be made in Newark to get into Manhattan.

Bridgewater schools are well-regarded. The full range from kindergarten through high school is within the Township. Raritan Valley Community College is in neighboring North Branch, and Rutgers University in New Brunswick and Princeton University provide higher education opportunities.

Local recreational facilities are many and varied in Bridgewater, and include a branch of the Somerset Valley YMCA, with a remarkable swimming venue. Bridgewater Commons, a large regional upscale mall, provides a multitude of shopping experiences, with many national stores as well as more local boutiques. Bridgewater is also home of the Somerset Patriots baseball team, one of several in the Atlantic League. Founded in 1999, the Patriots play at TD Bank Ball Park, which seats 6100 fans. Housing in Bridgewater ranges from modest condominium apartments and townhomes to multi-million dollar estates. There are many biomedical and pharmaceutical corporations in the area and within commute range.