I vote for Denville, regardless of housing type. Closer to employment, services, NY City, basically everything. Higher rated schools.

As long as the townhouse complex is financially sound and well-managed and it is not located next to any adverse external influences such as Route 80, railiroads, power lines, commercial uses, Superfund sites, etc., then purely from a return on investment, a Denville townhouse will most likely outperform a Hackettstown house. As energy prices continue to rise, Denville gains an even bigger edge. Exurb locations have really seen a larger decline in value over the past 2 years.

Having said that, real estate is not completely about investing, and a detached house in Hackettstown might offer a superior quality of life.

Life in a townhouse can be quite limiting. Especially if you play electric guitar like I do!

-Marc

Marc Paolella
Relocation Director
Member, Worldwide ERC
Licensed Realtor NJ
Licensed Appraiser NJ & NY
Century 21 Joe Tekula Realtors
Agent of the Year 2008
Owner: Sands Appraisal Service, Inc.
Phone (direct): (973) 584-4235
web: http://www.marcpaolella.com