Flanders, NJ, United States

Living in Flanders, NJ is a mixed bag - the population of 9,832 residents may seem quaint, but the bureaucratic headaches are anything but small-town. The town lies in the German Valley, with modest hills rising around it, but don't expect a picturesque countryside escape. Flanders is a census-designated place, meaning it lacks the autonomy of an incorporated town, and residents have to navigate the politics of neighboring Roxbury Township and Mount Olive Township. If you can handle the administrative hassle, Flanders may suit those looking for a quiet, affordable suburban enclave about an hour from New York City.