A First Impression of Highwoods
Highwoods is the kind of Franklin Lakes neighborhood that wins people over gradually. There is no traditional main street, row of storefronts, or busy village center. Instead, the neighborhood is defined by quiet residential roads, mature trees, generous lots, and a strong sense of privacy.
The area is commonly associated with High Woods Drive and nearby streets such as Huron Drive and Arapaho Trail, with connections toward Franklin Lake Road. Because neighborhood boundaries are informal, buyers should always confirm the exact location and school assignment for a particular property. Still, the overall feel is consistent: Highwoods offers a peaceful suburban setting while remaining close to the everyday conveniences that make Franklin Lakes attractive.
For many residents, the appeal is simple. You get space, greenery, and a calmer pace without being isolated from schools, shopping, recreation, or major roads.
Community Vibe and Housing
Highwoods feels residential in the best sense of the word. Streets are generally quiet, traffic is limited compared with major roads, and neighbors tend to recognize one another. Children ride bikes, families walk dogs, and weekend activity often centers on home projects, sports, backyard gatherings, or trips to local parks.
The housing is primarily detached, single-family residences. Depending on the section and lot, you may see:
- Traditional colonials and center-hall homes
- Split-level and raised-ranch houses
- Contemporary homes tucked into wooded settings
- Larger custom residences with extensive landscaping
- Older homes that have been renovated or expanded over time
Lots are often more generous than what buyers find in denser Bergen County communities. Mature trees provide privacy, but they also mean that landscaping, leaf removal, drainage, and tree maintenance are part of the ownership experience. Some properties have sloping driveways, stone outcroppings, or long setbacks, so a careful walk around the lot is important during a home inspection.
The neighborhood is not typically a place to look for low-maintenance living. It is better suited to buyers who value a yard, a quieter street, and the ability to personalize a home.
Walkability: Pleasant for Strolling, Car-Dependent for Errands
Highwoods is comfortable for walking, but it is not walkable in the downtown-neighborhood sense. You can enjoy a morning walk along residential streets, take the dog out, or let older children bike around familiar blocks. The wooded surroundings and relatively low traffic make the neighborhood pleasant for casual outdoor time.
Daily errands are another matter. Most residents use a car for groceries, restaurants, school activities, and shopping. Franklin Lakes is spread out, and even nearby destinations may require crossing or traveling along roads such as Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Avenue, or Route 208.
The good news is that Highwoods is conveniently positioned for reaching the borough’s practical hubs. Franklin Avenue and Franklin Lake Road provide access to local businesses, food establishments, services, and municipal facilities. The Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Abma’s Farm Market, and other nearby destinations are within a reasonable drive, depending on the home’s exact location.
That tradeoff is typical of Franklin Lakes: less sidewalk-to-coffee convenience, but more privacy and breathing room.
Schools and Family-Friendliness
Families are one of Highwoods’ strongest natural fits. Franklin Lakes offers a local public school system serving kindergarten through eighth grade, including High Mountain Road School, Woodside Avenue School, Colonial Road School, and Franklin Avenue Middle School. Public high-school students attend either Ramapo High School or Indian Hills High School through the regional district.
School assignment can depend on the specific address, so prospective buyers should verify enrollment boundaries directly with the district rather than relying only on a listing. That is especially important in a community where neighborhood names and mailing areas do not always correspond neatly to school zones.
Beyond academics, family life in Highwoods benefits from Franklin Lakes’ recreation programs. The borough organizes youth sports, seasonal activities, camps, and community events through its Recreation and Parks Department and Community Center at 1 Vichiconti Way.
Parents often appreciate that activities are spread throughout the community rather than concentrated in one commercial area. Children may see familiar classmates at ball fields, school events, playgrounds, local programs, and summer activities. The result is a community atmosphere that feels connected without being overly formal.
Parks, Trails, and Green Space
Green space is one of the biggest reasons people choose Franklin Lakes, and Highwoods residents are well placed to enjoy it.
The Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve is a major local landmark, with wooded trails and water views that make it appealing for walking, nature watching, and quiet outdoor time. Parsons Pond Park offers ponds, streams, wooded paths, open fields, and baseball and softball facilities. Old Mill Woodlands adds trails, tennis, pickleball, and a dog park to the borough’s recreation options.
Lorrimer Sanctuary on Ewing Avenue is another nearby destination for residents who enjoy birding, gardens, nature programs, and short hikes. These spaces make it possible to build outdoor activity into ordinary routines rather than treating it as a special weekend excursion.
The neighborhood itself also benefits from its leafy streets. In spring and summer, the tree canopy gives Highwoods a private, almost tucked-away appearance. In autumn, the foliage is beautiful, though homeowners should be prepared for substantial seasonal cleanup.
Safety and Everyday Peace of Mind
Highwoods generally has a quiet, settled suburban atmosphere. The Franklin Lakes Police Department provides local public safety services and publishes annual data and reports for the borough.
The day-to-day experience is less about visible urban activity and more about knowing your surroundings. Streets are calm, homes are set back, and neighbors tend to notice unusual activity. As with any residential community, residents should still use ordinary precautions: lock vehicles, maintain exterior lighting, secure packages, and pay attention to storm-related tree or drainage issues.
For buyers, the practical safety questions are often property-specific. Check sight lines when backing out of the driveway, understand winter snow removal, inspect retaining walls and wooded slopes, and ask about basement moisture or drainage. A quiet neighborhood does not eliminate the need for careful due diligence.
Access to Downtown, Highways, and Employers
Highwoods offers a convenient suburban base for commuters, although travel times will depend heavily on traffic. The borough provides access to Route 208 and Interstate 287, two important regional routes for reaching Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Rockland County destinations. Franklin Lakes’ own directions identify Route 208 and I-287 as key approaches to the community.
Becton, Dickinson and Company, commonly known as BD, has its headquarters at 1 Becton Drive in Franklin Lakes, making the borough especially convenient for employees of the medical-technology company. Other residents commute to offices in Paramus, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Wayne, Montvale, northern New Jersey, and New York City.
There is no compact downtown directly inside Highwoods, but Franklin Lakes’ commercial areas are close enough for practical errands. Residents may also drive to Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Oakland, Paramus, or nearby towns for a broader restaurant and shopping selection.
What Residents Love Most
The strongest appeal of Highwoods is the balance. It feels private without being remote, family-oriented without being overly busy, and green without sacrificing access to highways and services.
Residents tend to value:
- Larger wooded lots and a sense of privacy
- Quiet streets with a neighborly atmosphere
- Access to strong local and regional schools
- Nearby parks, trails, fields, and nature preserves
- Convenient routes to Route 208 and I-287
- A comfortable setting for children, dogs, gardening, and outdoor living
- Proximity to Franklin Lakes’ civic and commercial amenities
The honest advice is that Highwoods works best for someone who wants a car-oriented suburban lifestyle and is comfortable maintaining a larger property. If you want a walkable downtown outside your front door, another neighborhood may be a better fit. But if your priorities are peace, space, trees, schools, and a settled community feel, Highwoods is one of the more appealing places to call home in Franklin Lakes.