Renaissance at Raritan Valley

Renaissance at Raritan Valley is a gated, pet-friendly 55+ community in Somerset (Franklin Township), Somerset County, New Jersey, featuring 344 homes — 108 condominium residences and 236 single-family homes — built by Centex Homes between 2002 and 2009. Its intimate scale is a defining trait: with fewer than 350 residences, neighbors know each other, yet the amenity set rivals much larger communities. A small 50+ allowance exists for up to 15% of homes, but the community is overwhelmingly age-targeted to active adults. The centerpiece is a 15,500 square-foot clubhouse that punches well above its weight. Inside you'll find a grand ballroom, billiards room, card room, arts and crafts studio, library, meeting rooms, a computer room, and the resident-run Renaissance Café — a volunteer-operated deli that serves breakfast and lunch and doubles as a social hub. Fitness is anchored by a well-equipped exercise center with men's and ladies' locker rooms, a sauna/steam room, and a 2,800 square-foot indoor pool with spa and Jacuzzi. Outside, a second 2,800 square-foot pool (plus a dedicated kiddie pool for visiting grandchildren) sits alongside tennis courts, a pickleball court, bocce ball, shuffleboard, an outdoor patio, picnic area, a small playground, and scenic landscaped grounds with ponds. The dual-pool setup — full-size indoor AND outdoor — is genuinely rare for a community this size anywhere in the Northeast. Security is a real differentiator. The gatehouse is staffed 24 hours a day, every day, with attendants reachable by phone at any hour. Three homeowner associations operate in concert: a master association that owns and maintains the clubhouse and common amenities, a single-family HOA, and a condominium association — homeowners belong to the master plus one of the latter two depending on home type. HOA dues vary by home style and run roughly $374 to $941 per month, covering the gated entry, professional management, common grounds, and amenity upkeep. Condo owners have additional building-exterior coverage baked into their fees. Social life is organized by a full-time on-site Activities Coordinator who runs a packed calendar of clubs and classes. Regular offerings include Mah Jongg, poker, bridge, canasta, book club, Pilates, aerobics, aqua aerobics, circuit training, dancercise, ceramics, billiards leagues, movie nights, and frequent casino trips and group outings. Committee participation is high — residents describe the community as unusually spirited for its size. Condominium homes range from roughly 1,600 to 2,000 square feet with 2–3 bedrooms, many featuring private garages with direct interior building access to elevators (a meaningful accessibility perk). Single-family homes span 1,679 to 2,952 square feet, with layouts that include first-floor primary suites, lofts, and full basements. On the resale market, condos have recently traded in the mid-$300Ks while larger updated single-family homes have listed into the mid-$700Ks, with an average price point around $429K. Location is a major selling point for Central Jersey buyers. The community sits just minutes off Route 287, with quick access to Route 80, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Garden State Parkway. Four NJ Transit rail stations within a ten-minute drive run direct service to Newark Penn Station and onward to New York Penn Station, making Manhattan a realistic day trip or commute. Community Access Transit (CAT) offers discounted senior service to Bridgewater Commons Mall, the county library, and local medical facilities. Shopping, dining, houses of worship, public and private golf courses, and Rutgers University are all close at hand, while Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and the Jersey Shore are comfortable day-trip distances.