Is Sunset Hill Garden safe?
Franklin, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Sunset Hill Garden as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Sunset Hill Garden
“Go. Sunset Hill Garden in Franklin Borough is a quiet, low-crime residential enclave tucked away in rural Sussex County. Visitors will find a peaceful small-town environment with negligible violent crime and standard suburban safety conditions.”
About the area
Sunset Hill Garden is a residential neighborhood in Franklin, New Jersey, characterized by modest single-family homes, rolling topography, and quiet residential streets. Known regionally as the 'Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World,' the broader borough offers scenic wooded surroundings, mining history, and easy access to outdoor recreation along Route 23.
- Quiet & Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Scenic & Wooded
- Small-Town Feel
Walking and biking in Sunset Hill Garden
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no local bike-share system, and local hilly roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though the nearby Sussex Branch Trail offers gravel multi-use riding several miles away.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and serious property crime rates are significantly below state and national averages.
- Quiet, family-oriented neighborhood with high homeownership and minimal traffic congestion.
- Proximity to regional outdoor recreation, county parks, and unique local geological museums.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with virtually no walkable commercial amenities inside the residential pocket.
- Narrow, winding local roads with limited street lighting and minimal pedestrian infrastructure.
- Emergency and specialized services are spread out across rural Sussex County.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this quiet residential area or throughout Franklin Borough.
What Sunset Hill Garden is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm with occasional dog walkers and school traffic moving through residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key and safe with typical suburban activity and light local vehicle movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with minimal noise and very low crime risk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Dark and very quiet; roads are poorly lit but remain safe from opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is extremely limited; Sussex County Skylands Ride provides scheduled on-demand and deviated fixed routes, but there is no direct passenger rail service nearby.
Parking is simple and free, with ample private driveway space and unrestricted residential street parking.
Things to do in Sunset Hill Garden
- Explore world-famous glowing rock collections at the nearby Franklin Mineral Museum.
- Walk, fish, or picnic around the scenic grounds of Franklin Pond Park.
- Take a short drive to Sterling Hill Mining Museum in neighboring Ogdensburg for an underground mine tour.
Local favorites
- Franklin Mineral Museum · Museum · 4.6★ (720)Renowned museum showcasing world-class fluorescent minerals, mining artifacts, and a fossil room.
- The Irish Cottage Inn · Irish Pub · 4.3★ (1150)Cozy restaurant and pub along Route 23 serving classic comfort food and draft ales.
- Franklin Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (940)Traditional Jersey roadside diner offering hearty breakfasts, burgers, and classic baked desserts.
Neighborhoods near Sunset Hill Garden
Common questions about Sunset Hill Garden
Is Sunset Hill Garden safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Sunset Hill Garden a good place to live?
On safety, Sunset Hill Garden scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Sunset Hill Garden?
Walk score 24/100 and bike score 28/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Sunset Hill Garden are safer?
Bridgepoint (96), Rocky Hill (NJ) (95), Harlingen (95) score higher nearby.
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