Lakeview Ter, Watchung

Perfect block. Neighbors are as friendly as you want them to be. Some keep to themselves, some will check in with you, all based on what kind of interaction you want with them. Several block parties and BBQs every year. Almost no non-neighborhood traffic (it's a cul-de-sac). Little-to-no parking in the street (everyone has driveways and garages and it is actually illegal to park on the street in town overnight). A large public lake at the bottom of the road with fishing and a sidewalk that circles it (great for jogging and walking). A large public playground next to the lake for the kids with several ballfields and tennis courts. Excellent upscale restaurant adjacent to the lake (Water & Wine).

The type of block where your neighbors will be your babysitters, someone will come over to give you a hand with raking the leaves, and people watch out for each other. People who come to visit from out of town laugh that it reminds them of Norman Rockwell paintings. Crime is non-existent as far as I know.

Easy access to several major highways and commuting routes (notably I-78, Rt-22, NJ Transit train and bus lines) without being close enought to hear them. Low-volume mom and pop retail in town and in adjacent Warren Township as well as high volume (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Old Navy Etc.) on Route 22. What's especially nice is all this big-box retail is technically in-town, keeping the property taxes relatively low, but there is no direct road access that would have outside shoppers driving through the residential part of town to get there.

School system is one of the best in the state if you have children. Very calm, mature town (i.e. not all recently over-developed).