New Brunswick's Neighboring Towns

New Brunswick, New Jersey is surrounded by several towns and cities, including Piscataway, Highland Park, Edison, and Franklin Township. It is also in close proximity to major cities such as Newark, Jersey City, and New York. New Brunswick itself is a hub for healthcare, education, and the arts, with world-renowned hospitals, Rutgers University, and a thriving cultural scene. The city offers diverse dining, entertainment, and nightlife options, making it a vibrant and dynamic place to visit and explore.

Towns within a 9-mile radius: Berdines Corners, Lawrence Brook Manor, Washington Heights

Berdines Corner is a neighbourhood in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is home to a mix of residential properties, including single-family homes, condos, and apartments. The area has convenient access to major highways and public transportation, making it a desirable location for commuters.

Lawrence Brook Manor is located in East Brunswick, New Jersey, close to New Brunswick. It is a residential area with a mix of housing options, including single-family homes and apartments.

Washington Heights is a neighbourhood in the northern part of Manhattan, New York City. It is known for its diverse cultural history and has been home to various immigrant communities over the years, including Irish, Eastern European, German Jewish, Greek, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and Russian populations. Washington Heights offers generous access to green spaces, such as Fort Washington Park, Highbridge Park, and Fort Tryon Park. It is also served by multiple subway lines and stations, providing convenient transportation options for residents.

These three towns, Berdines Corners, Lawrence Brook Manor, and Washington Heights, are all within a 9-mile radius of each other and New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Towns within an 11-mile radius: South Plainfield, Farrington Lake Heights, Patricks Corners

South Plainfield

South Plainfield is a small town located approximately 9 miles from New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is one of the many towns that surround New Brunswick and fall within a similar radius.

Farrington Lake Heights

Farrington Lake Heights is an unincorporated community located within East Brunswick, a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. East Brunswick is directly adjacent to New Brunswick and is approximately 29 miles from New York City. The township had a population of 49,715 as of the 2020 census, and it offers easy access to major highways, making it a popular commuter hub for those working in nearby cities.

Patricks Corners

Patricks Corner is another unincorporated community located within East Brunswick, New Jersey. It is one of the many localities that make up the township, which is known for its diverse range of recreational activities and cultural offerings.

These three towns, South Plainfield, Farrington Lake Heights, and Patricks Corners, are all within an 11-mile radius of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and offer a mix of suburban and unincorporated communities.

New Brunswick's history: once called Prigmore's Swamp, diverse history, and notable residents

New Brunswick, New Jersey, has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century. The area that is now the city was once called Prigmores Swamp, named after a man named John Prigmore (or Pridmore) who lived along the banks of the Raritan River. The first European settlement at the site occurred in 1681 when John Inian purchased two lots from the Leni-Lenape Native Americans, containing about 1280 acres of land.

In the 1700s, Inian purchased ferry rights on the river, and around 1713, Prigmore’s Swamp became Inian’s Ferry. In 1724, the town was renamed New Brunswick in honour of King George I, the Duke of Brunswick. The city was incorporated on December 30, 1730, two weeks before New York City. During this time, New Brunswick became an important crossroads between Philadelphia/Trenton and New York City, and was visited by several prominent leaders including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams.

New Brunswick has a diverse history and has been home to people of various ethnicities and backgrounds. In the 1930s, one out of three city residents was Hungarian, and the city became known as the nation's "most Hungarian city". Hungarian immigrants were primarily attracted to the city by employment opportunities at Johnson & Johnson factories. The Hungarian community continues to be a cohesive community in the city, with 3,200 Hungarian residents accounting for 8% of the population in 1992.

New Brunswick has also been noted for its African American community, which dates back to the 18th century. During this time, slavery was a part of life in the city, and slave auctions and sales were commonly advertised in local newspapers. In 1804, the New Jersey Legislature passed the "Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery", which provided a path to freedom for children born to enslaved women after July 4, 1804. However, those enslaved before this date would remain slaves for life. By 1828, free and enslaved African Americans accounted for 11% of New Brunswick's population, a relatively high percentage for New Jersey.

The city has also seen the growth of Asian and Hispanic communities in recent years, particularly around French Street near Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Notable residents of New Brunswick include actor Michael Douglas, gymnast Laurie Hernandez, and rapper and songwriter Jaheim.

New Brunswick's arts and culture: museums, galleries, theatre, and live music scene

New Brunswick in New Jersey is a vibrant hub for arts and culture, with a variety of art galleries, museums, theatre, and live music.

Museums and Galleries

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University is one of the largest and most prestigious university-based museums in the country, with a permanent collection of 60,000 objects, including ancient and contemporary art. The museum is open six days a week and offers free admission to the public. Another notable gallery is the Alfa Art Gallery, an open art studio that invites visitors to observe artists at work. The Rutgers Geology Museum is also worth a visit, with its Egyptian priestess mummy and Ice Age mastodon skeleton on display.

Theatre

The George Street Playhouse produces intellectually and emotionally challenging new works and re-imagined classics, while the Crossroads Theatre Company specialises in theatre that celebrates the culture, history, and voices of the African Diaspora. The New Brunswick Performing Arts Centre (NBPAC) is a world-class facility, hosting various theatre companies and performances throughout the year.

Live Music

The New Brunswick Jazz Project is a recognised non-profit organisation that presents world-class jazz performances in downtown New Brunswick and other Central Jersey venues. The American Repertory Ballet, based in New Brunswick, brings classical and contemporary dance to audiences in New Jersey and beyond.

The city also hosts several festivals celebrating the arts, including the annual New Brunswick Heart Festival, which features live music, craft-making activities, and more.

New Brunswick's healthcare: world-renowned hospitals, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies

New Brunswick, New Jersey, has earned the reputation of being the region's "Healthcare City". The city has five nationally-recognized hospitals, global biotechnology and pharmaceutical corporations, and internationally-recognized medical research facilities. It is also part of the country's largest medical school.

Hospitals

New Brunswick is home to five nationally-recognized hospitals, including:

• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
• The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital
• Saint Peter's Healthcare System

Research Institutions

The city also boasts internationally-recognized medical research facilities, including:

• Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the only National Cancer Institute in the state
• Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research Rutgers
• Eric B. Chandler Health Center

Pharmaceutical Companies

In addition to its hospitals and research institutions, New Brunswick is also a hub for global biotechnology and pharmaceutical corporations. While specific company names were not readily available, Rutgers University brings more federal research dollars to the state than all other New Jersey colleges and universities combined, highlighting the significant presence of the pharmaceutical industry in the area.

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