Metuchen recently received another major honor, as Money named the Brainy Borough one of the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

In selecting Metuchen for the prestigious list, Money touted the town’s award-winning Main Street; its school system, which is top 50 in the state; location/access to New York City; and more.

Metuchen, the only New Jersey locale included, features on the cover of the special issue.

“Recent additions to the borough’s award-winning Main Street – which was full of empty storefronts just a few years ago – have breathed new life into downtown Metuchen,” Mary Ellen Cagnassola wrote in the Metuchen profile for Money. “Like Brainy Brewery, which serves small-batch craft beer, and Pastry Lu, a cozy bakery and café where patrons can linger with a book and a cup of coffee. Middlesex Greenway, Metuchen’s 3.5-mile railroad-turned-walking path, is just a five-minute bike ride away.”

Noting its population of just under 15,000, Money described Metuchen as “a quaint and quiet family-friendly environment,” as well as as a “walker’s paradise where residents can run errands without a car.”

Just the latest

“Another big win for Metuchen – as we have been named as one of @Money’s Best Places to Live 2024, presented by ADT,” Mayor Jonathan Busch wrote in a post on social media site X. “The publication highlighted 50 places that it considers to be ‘the blueprint for the future.’ The Borough was highlighted as one of Money’s ‘Suburbs with a Soul’ with ‘an award-winning main street, good schools and easy access to NYC.’”

In addition to the 2023 Great American Main Street Award and other notable developments, the announcement also follows a recent high-profile visit by Gov. Phil Murphy. At that time, the governor and other officials highlighted a planned revitalization of the Forum Theater. The work is part of a broader vision for an Arts District downtown as Metuchen looks to continue this current wave of momentum.

“Proud of this place, always,” Busch added.