Rutgers is the better school. My graduate school advisor (Rutgers) liked to say that "for undergrad you want the school name\reputation. For graduate school, it is all about who you work for." I think that is largely true. I also do not think that it matters much in this debate. Rutgers is better but it isn't like you are comparing the Princeton Physics Department to RVCC here.

Do you have any idea what type of physics you want to do? Are there any NJIT professors that specialize in that? Any Rutgers profs? Your potential specialty for grad school and your undergrad desires matter in the choice. I didn't look through the undergrad physics catalogs for both schools, those offerings need to play a role here.

So on the surface, pocket the extra $700 and go to NJIT. Need more info to answer fully. Also, should you choose the "wrong" one for you, it should be pretty easy to transfer to the other.

Physics is still on Busch for Rutgers - New Brunswick.

NJIT sits right next to RU-Newark, I believe there is some ability to take classes at each school.

Which Raritan? Somerset County, Hunterdon County? There are at least 2 Raritan's in NJ. edit, nevermind, I see you mentioned JnJ.

The area around Raritan is very suburban. You'd be doing an opposite commute of many but I guess for a more urban feel you'd want to head out toward Jersey City or Hoboken. That is more like 45 - 50 minutes away though.

Morristown might be worth looking at. That is 30 minutes away. Somerville is not very urban but it does have an excellent walkable downtown area. It borders on Raritan.

Or just embrace the next county over (Hunterdon) and go full on farmer.

This. OP needs to give more info. I fly at least once a month out of EWR. There are times when I see the TSA Pre lines with large backups. There are times when co-workers who don't have TSA Pre & Clear breeze through in a matter of minutes.

I'd also add:

5. I assume you are checking bags?

6. Do you have status with United?

Several spots. Round Valley. Cushetunk "mountain" trails. Several of the trails that start behind Pickell Park. There is a nice set of loops that lead down to the river behind Old Highway 28, park behind the fire station and the trails start near the softball field.

Not Readington, but not far, we like to hike Hacklebarney as well.

I live in Readington and my family really loves it here. Readington is massive and sprawls. If you are commuting to Skillman you could do it from anywhere in Readington but the easiest would be if you lived on the 202 side of town. If you live in the area closer to 22, the commute gets a bit longer.

Readington is a nice community, 850k will do pretty well here. The elementary schools are solid as is the intermediate school. The middle school experience wasn't ideal for us but it is under new leadership so hopefully, that has changed for the better. Hunterdon Central is a good high school. It is big but the size allows it to offer plenty of opportunities for the students. In addition, there is an academy system in Hunterdon. Students are able to apply to a computer, biomedical, or environmental program. They take regular high school classes and add on top of those some program specific course areas.

Family life is good here for any age. Yes, most requires driving. You have a ton of hiking and water opportunities. There are plenty of farms and farmers markets. Hot air balloons are a common sight. Fishing is good. There are a good number of non-chain high quality restaurants in the area (area being Readington\Flemington\Raritan\Clinton). The county library system is awesome. The Clinton Main street area is nice. Flemington has a decent Main street as well but it isn't very active in the evenings from my experience. Main Street in Somerville is also bustling and easily driven to from Readington.