About Highlands

Highlands' housing stock reflects its hillside, waterfront setting. The borough has an older, tightly built residential fabric of single-family and two-family homes, many on sloping streets with bay views, along with a smaller share of apartments and condominiums near the waterfront. The housing is predominantly older and densely sited, with modest lots. The maritime character and proximity to Sandy Hook and the New York ferry give the borough a distinct, sought-after sense of place.

Highlands is small enough that its neighborhoods follow the terrain rather than formal subdivisions. The waterfront district along the bay holds the marinas, seafood restaurants, and commercial core, while residential streets climb the hillsides toward the Navesink Twin Lights and the borough's upper elevations. The hilltop and bayfront areas offer distinct outlooks — water views below, skyline and lighthouse views above — within a compact, walkable footprint.

Life in Highlands is tied to the water. Boating, fishing, and the seafood trade are part of the borough's daily rhythm, and Sandy Hook's beaches are minutes away. Residents enjoy a walkable waterfront downtown of restaurants and shops, and the ferry and highway links make New York City a practical commute. The lifestyle blends a working-waterfront heritage with the recreational appeal of the bay and the national seashore — a rare combination in the metro area.

Highlands is part of a compact school arrangement with neighboring Atlantic Highlands. Students in grades seven through twelve attend Henry Hudson Regional School, located in the borough, while younger students attend the local elementary school. The regional middle and high school keeps secondary education close to home, and its small scale reflects the intimate, waterfront character of the two boroughs it serves. The schools are central to community life.

Highlands sits at the edge of Raritan Bay, connected to the region by Route 36 and the Garden State Parkway. Ferry service to Manhattan operates from nearby terminals, and the borough is about an hour from New York City by car or combined ferry and rail. Commuters also reach the NJ Transit rail network from nearby stations. The location gives Highlands a genuine coastal feel while keeping the city's job centers within a practical daily reach.

Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook unit is Highlands' standout recreation asset, offering ocean beaches, bayside coves, trails, and the historic Fort Hancock within minutes. The borough's marinas support boating and fishing on Raritan Bay, and the Navesink Twin Lights offer panoramic views of the harbor and shoreline. Seafood restaurants and bayfront parks round out the waterfront experience, making the outdoor options exceptional for a borough of this size.