Some Reflections on Hillsborough, New Jersey

 

A sign outside of the library in Hillsborough from 2021, when the town celebrated it's 250th anniversary, and was kind of showing off from having been rated one of the "best places to live in America."

Today, I am back in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Usually, I feel a bit sad and even sometimes somewhat depressed to be going back home after a decent trip. This time, however, while there is some of that, I am more relieved. After all, this was a work trip, and it was at times - often times, if I am being honest - physically exhausting. So more than usual, I am feeling happy to be coming home.

Now, Hillsborough is indeed a very nice town to live in. At least for now, it is.

There is a beautiful library, which is spacious and airy and bright. It's a pleasure to walk in and enjoy the brightness, with the large windows and even windows high atop. Indeed, it feels modern and comfortable, a real asset to the town.

It is not an overly large town, yet it is big enough to have all of the modern conveniences, as well. There are parts of the town that are farmland and countryside, and there is even a wooded park that offers some decent hiking. Yet, it also has plenty of residential and commercial space, so that you can enjoy most of life's conveniences without leaving town, including a halfway decent amount of jobs. My girlfriend works right inside town for her main job, so she has a dream commute. 

For that matter, it feels like a better fit - even a much better fit - than my old, childhood hometown of West Milford. Hillsborough has some of that same kind of rural beauty as West Milford, yet it does not come with the baggage and, frankly, the negativity that West Milford does (at least for my family across three generations). 

However, Hillsborough also is growing at a very fast rate. More and more housing developments and apartment buildings keep going up. Traffic has already grown noticeably worse, and taxes and property have gone up quite a bit as well, although this is not unique to Hillsborough. Still, it seems to me that somebody on the town council is likely getting paid by somebody for all of this to be happening all at once like this. It feels like this is the biggest threat to the town, in terms of maintaining that lofty position as one of the most livable places in the country. 

For now, however, it is still pretty good here. 

Hillsborough 

Cherry blossoms outside of the Hillsborough Library and community building. They were at their peak, and it seemed worth taking a picture or two and sharing them here.