S
ussex County, the most distant from New York City in North Jersey, offers residents an affordable housing option with spacious lots and abundant natural amenities. The county's towns tend to foster a more rural and low-key lifestyle. Hopatcong, home to Lake Hopatcong, the largest lake in New Jersey at 2,500 acres, provides both seasonal and year-round living opportunities near the water. Neighborhoods in this town range from newer homes with larger lots and wider streets to narrower and steeper areas.

    Sussex, ranked as the county's third-hottest town for homebuying this year, is a popular choice for those seeking a slow-paced life. The area boasts an abundance of farmland, natural amenities, and small businesses. According to Realtor.com's senior economist Joel Bergen, Hopatcong's 07843 ZIP code was the hottest in 2024, with a home selling for $429,000. This ranking is based on data collected from January to November 2024, which shows that the top ZIP codes had high unique views per property and short listing periods.

    Recent news in the Hopatcong area includes the opening of a new Lake Hopatcong pavilion and the sale of an old jail in Newton. The county also saw significant bear hunting activity, with Sussex County being one of the areas where bears were killed. Additionally, Sussex County is known for receiving heavy snowfall, earning it the title of "heavyweight snow champion" in New Jersey.