best beach towns to live in nj
The school system is nationally renowned, and the extra-curricular activities associated with it, stellar. Ho-Ho-Kus. Haddonfield was recently chosen by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the best places to live, shop and dine in the Delaware Valley. Ocean City, New Jersey is often considered one of the best family-oriented beaches in the country. The schools are good. From attraction-packed waterfront destinations to charming seaside towns, try one of these beloved beach towns along the New Jersey shore. A large majority of its residents are well educated, with almost 80% of them (79.25%) having a minimum of a college degree. Generally, kids do well in school and participate in a number of extracurricular activities as well as the outstanding academic and sports teams. Every single person, whether it is your neighbor or someone walking down the street, is very kind and sociable. Fort Lee, like many other towns in Bergen County, is known for being an "Asian centre" or "the town next to the bridge". ET Every day they bounce out the car, excited to learn something new! With spacious bedrooms, lovely living areas and a great kitchen, plus a huge backyard, this home is perfect for a big family; and best of all, it’s just four blocks from the beach. Cape May, New Jersey. Lots of trees and nature. Best Burlington County Town 2019. Great school system, some nice lakes to walk around, plenty of greenery. This is the first town I've lived in where I felt at home. The time has come and you have finally made the decision to move to beautiful Long Beach Island. More than 53,600 people call the scenic city home, and another key draw to Parsippany-Troy Hills is the high number of corporations situated here. People know their neighbors and help them out when needed. Go for it!Read 76 Reviews, Current Resident: I relocated from the west coast with my family 2 years ago. During the Winter: Take a day trip to Historic Smithville. These categories include: amenities, cost of living, crime rates, education, employment, housing and weather. Tons of character and history, great people, and great schools. Wooded area creates great scenes. The Seastreak ferry will … It is near Princeton Junction train station and bus stops for NYC and elsewhere. Most families are very involved. I've lived in Westwood, Wallington, Bogota, and Maywood and none of them compare to River Edge. 16 Mill Rd Lambertville NJ 08530. There’s a 5K race, Spring Garage Sale, streets are closed for Halloween (it’s quite a celebration), and many events and things to do throughout the year. My children are not just learning at FH, they are thriving! 2021 New Jersey crime rates New Jersey's violent crime rate made an almost imperceptible improvement compared to last year—while the overall rate stayed at 2.1 incidents per 1,000 people, there were 162 fewer violent crimes. Couldn't imagine a better place to raise a family. As a matter of fact, it is also considered one of the best places to live in the Delaware Valley. Most residents seem to work in finance or law.Read 33 Reviews, Current Resident: Its a wonderful town. Overall, a pretty good place to live. Most kids pursue college degrees and an extraordinarily high percentage are accepted at Ivy League and highly selective universities. I grew up here and still live here. In this New Jersey beach town, you can admire Victorian mansions, climb the Cape May Lighthouse, tour the nearby breweries or wineries, or visit the animals at the Jersey Shore Alpacas farm. Lots of trees and nature. Allendale is a great community. The cost of living can be a bit steep in the Mercer County town, with median home value sitting at $780,300. Families take home $142,765 on average, which is a good thing considering the high cost of living in the area where home values average $706,800. Very close to New York City. The coursework was appropriate with taking regular, honors, and IB classes. On Tuesday, August 2, 2016 - 01:22 Courtesy of New Jersey State Library under a CC 2.0 license. Insane academic competition in high school. New Jersey is a state that offers plenty of diversity. And landfills. There is also a beautiful water stream that goes across the town of Ho-Ho-Kus. The education system, in my opinion, is one of the best ones in the county, if not New Jersey. Cranford Cranford is small-town NJ at its best, with a charming downtown and close proximity to NYC for commuters. The town center does not have a nightlife, but many nearby towns do (and Uber is everywhere here). If the name rings bells, it’s because it is here that the prestigious Princeton University is based. That’s a bit high for most people, but unfortunately, it’s the price you get to pay if you want an area served by some of the best schools in New Jersey, with numerous outdoor activities and low crime rate to contend with. And factory fumes. The overall facility was nice. This is a highly affluent neighbourhood where median home value hovers upwards of half a million bucks ($549,100 to be exact). There are hundreds of restaurants and local grocery stores where people can buy their food or sit down with friends. It is very family orientated with a lot of town programs geared toward families. September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Cape May County, while January and February are the least comfortable months. It's like a completely different area compared to Elizabeth and Rahway. If you are looking to raise your children in a community where academics are a very strong focus as well as the social emotional development of your children, then FH is a school you should certainly consider.Read 12 Reviews, Senior: The school feels very safe, it’s a welcoming environment, and the opportunities and classes provided are amazing! You will enjoy suburban life in a college town. And being too populated. Please. Along with seven parks and pristine beaches, there's a wealth of places to enjoy fresh seafood and outdoor activities. Our street feels like a family! We split our comparison into two categories, towns located by the ocean and by lakes. The town's lakes, parks and trails provide tons of recreational opportunities and there are numerous sailing, swimming, hiking, walking, soccer, softball, and tennis groups for adults in addition a robust rec program for youths. I was able to participate in multiple sports and clubs. Great school system, some nice lakes to walk around, plenty of greenery. Teenagers have many job opportunities. Top 10 Atlantic County Towns 2019. All of our neighbors are friendly and keep a look out for…[read more] Miami, FL. Best Camden County Town 2019. 7. Nearly less then 10 minutes away is the Watchung Reservation. Residents of Mountain Lakes tend to lean conservative. Love their schools. Long Beach Island (LBI) For numerous beach towns packed into one destination, head to Long Beach Island, often called LBI. You can easily commute to NYC or Philadelphia. We're also very pleased with how serious everyone takes education here (took a little getting used to). I have nothing but good things to say about the township, in general, and Monmouth Junction, in particular. Avalon, Cape May County, NJ On the other end of the spectrum is Avalon, a borough in Cape May County on Seven Mile Island. Miami doesn’t exactly boast the best surf the great state of Florida has to offer. Seaside Park (not Heights) is a very small quiet community located on the ocean in approximately the middle of the state. For sound, a little bit noisy at times, but good for the most part. New Jersey is often associated with a lot of bad things, and neighbouring its hipper, grander sister, New York, doesn’t help matters. McCarter Theatre is also in town. Best Places to Live in Monmouth County, New Jersey National center - Southeast corner of New York State, at mouth of Hudson River. I have nothing but good things to say about the township, in general, and Monmouth Junction, in particular. A++! The school feels very safe, it’s a welcoming environment, and the opportunities and classes provided are amazing! 1. I've also heard Long Beach Island (LBI), which is located about 35 minutes south of Seaside, is very family-friendly as well. Very safe. The 5 Most Affordable Cities in New Jersey . Relatively crime-free area. The only thing I would like to see change is the cost of housing, other than that, Westfield is the place to stay.Read 65 Reviews, Current Resident: Haworth is an absolutely gorgeous and underrated community. Moved here when we started our family and don’t plan on leaving!Read 37 Reviews, Works Here: I grew up in--and attended public schools in--South Brunswick; and for the past 26 years I have also worked there. I heartily recommend Monmouth Junction to anyone who can afford to live there. The major downside to it is a high cost of living – expect to pay rent averaging $2,243 per month, and if you are one of those looking to invest in a home, the median value rests at the $723,000 mark. The town also offers free movies in the park on Tuesdays and beach concerts on Fridays throughout the summer. You can customize your list of the best places to live in New Jersey and specify things that are important to you. Arguably one of the most iconic beach towns in the United States, Cape May, New Jersey is also one of the most popular family getaway spots on the East Coast. On early mornings strictly from 5:00 to 7:00 on weekends, the streets are so vacant that me and my brother sometimes wake up between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00, and we play football in the street; never worrying about cars driving by. Schools are great. The crown jewel of Barnegat Light is the town’s lighthouse. Plainsboro is a quiet but affluent township, outside of Princeton, New Jersey, that is small in nature but significant in the landscape of Middlesex County. That automatically rules it out as a neighborhood for the ordinary Joe. I have been lucky enough to explore many of the towns that I was not familiar with growing up in UC, and there's always more to discover. Finding the perfect home for you and your family could become a laborious task. Haddonfield. The Haworth Public School is excellent with small class sizes and committed teachers, administrators and parents. Food for the school was average but they did offer food trucks on occasion for some variety. U.S. News & World Report recently analyzed the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas and came up with a list of the best beach towns in which to spend your … The high levels of education in the town is reflected in two major aspects. The university has buses for around town. This is really important because most, if not all, of the beach towns are somewhat expensive to reside in. One is that the children of these residents get to be schooled with some of the brightest tools in the box. We averaged the rankings to create a "best place to buy" index with the place having the lowest index being the best. Can't imagine we'll stay after the kids graduate. There are many reasons Haddonfield is one of the best places to live in South Jersey. It is the perfect place for a family to reside in as the parents will be able to interact with those around them and find whatever they need, and children will be able to enjoy their childhood experience.Read 31 Reviews, Current Resident: Fort Lee, like many other towns in Bergen County, is known for being an "Asian centre" or "the town next to the bridge". The overarching diversity and the bustling streets of Main Street are signs that Fort Lee is one successful city filled with all different types of people and cultures. Music, art and dance were available and highlighted throughout the year; I was able to participate in the Canyon Fusion Dance Company which was a great learning experience and opportunity to an emotional outlet. New Providence is an awesome town to live in and particularly to raise a family in. The town is generally conservative but has a large liberal presence too.Read 10 Reviews, Current Resident: Nice looking town. Almost all the kids in Mtn. The area is family friendly and has a variety of locations to enjoy your day, like a picnic at Snyder Park or a nice cool down at one of our two pools. People are friendly and prestigious, and the town struggles with diversity. There is a great public school right in town that has K-8 grades. Money Magazine listed Saddle Brook the 24th best place to live in America 2017. There were opportunities for parent involvement such as booster club. North Arlington was included in TIME’s Money Magazine Best Places to Live in America 2017, checking in at No. Lots of working families but also more than a few billionaires and multi-millionaires. Relatively crime-free area. Lowest Priced Homes: HOMES UNDER $250,000: Most Expensive Listings: HOMES $250,001 to … Haddonfield, and neighboring Collingswood, are both fantastic places to live. You and your children will be able to walk/bike to town, which is especially appreciated by the teenagers. We live in Littlebrook and our kids walk, bike or scooter to elementary, middle or high school without crossing Nassau. Succasunna happens to be the site of the first electronic switching public telephone exchange in the world. Ready to dive in? Here in BH we have multiple restaurants such as Delicious Heights, Dominoes, Hop Hing and East, La Rosa and many more. It is very child oriented, most mothers are involved in the school district in some way. Editor's … There is a small train (Dinky) that you can take from Princeton University to the PJ station. There is a real sense of community here, it is safe, and most people are friendly. Having lived in this town for over a decade, I must say that it hasn't changed much since I first moved here. It wasn't before long when we fell in love with the village. Their efforts have not gone unrewarded as the households in Oradell take home on average $141,550, certainly no mean figure. Within our community, we hold one of New Jersey's best education systems. Its great! Wallethub.com named it the best small city in America from a list comprising over 1,200. There are some great schools in the area, with plenty of outdoor activities that range from tennis courts to golf; the 18-hole Concordia Golf Course is a perfect place to go shooting some rounds. Many tutor. While all are within 45 minutes of the beach, here are five great communities to consider to live near a Delaware beach. Cranford hosts family-friendly annual events, including the Scarecrow Stroll. Almost all the kids in Mtn. However, I believe that Fort Lee is so much more than that. This is just about the price of a three- or four-bedroom single-family property, depending on street, of course. Very busy. The library is amazing with a separate wing for kids and dynamic programming. Median home value stands at $349,800 and rent averages $1,223 for a single-family home. Administration was present and acted when necessary. Lively suburban areas, combined with the state’s location along the coastline, allow the state to offer several types of communities that appeal to a wide range of people. More than 75% of the residents have a college degree and above, and it naturally follows that the local school district in the area be among the best in the state. And you don’t need to have an ocean beach to qualify as a Shore town. Those 2 towns are greatly improving, Trenton & (even) Irvington are worse than Newark overall, though, Irvington may not be rated as high as Newark on a crime list. Nestled on the banks of the Raritan River, the historic mill town’s Victorian charm and gorgeous Downtown District have made it a favorite New Jersey destination for many years. Couldn't imagine a better place to raise a family. However, for adults with cars, the traffic may be unbearable near the bridge; morning commutes are terrible here. Source: Andrew F. Kazmierski / shutterstock, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page or my English Wikipedia talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) / Wikimedia, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 15 Best Things to Do in Garden City (Idaho), 15 Best Things to Do in Mountain Home (Idaho), 15 Best Things to Do in Blackfoot (Idaho). But it also boasts many unique firsts that few states can only dream of. There is a small train (Dinky) that you can take from Princeton University to the PJ station. WalletHub, a personal finance website, just released a ranking of the best beach towns to live in, and many of them are in locations you wouldn't expect. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. The school system is nationally renowned, and the extra-curricular activities associated with it, stellar. There are many small business here and lots of friendly business owners. I genuinely enjoy living in Upper Montclair as I have made many friends in this beautiful town!Read 42 Reviews, Current Resident: Excellent place to live in central jersey with beautiful homes, Posh, Spacious landscape, best schools, Corporate offices, Shopping centers, medical centers, sports facilities Including baseball, golf, cricket, soccer, fitness centers, farms, parks, lakes.Read 31 Reviews, Current Resident: Ho-Ho-Kus is a nice small town perfect for kids to grow up. I grew up here, and it is one of my favorite places in the world. There is also a museum in the area, a school for the arts & crafts movement and Craftsman Farms. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Calculated based on crime rates for murder, assault, rape, burglary, and other crime statistics, as well as reviews from residents. This, basically, applies to what means the ‘worst’ towns given various factors for N.J. cities. A charming suburban town full of middle-class families. Only critical feedback would be the Taxes. Residents call living here a "Robbinsville bubble".Read 33 Reviews, Current Resident: I love River Edge. There are a lot of social clubs and organizations for people to get to know one another. And while Jersey has some pretty nasty ones, it is not short of its fair share of plusses. I heartily recommend Monmouth Junction to anyone who can afford to live there.Read 8 Reviews, Current Resident: Postcard-perfect town with great location for commuting to NYC. The Garden State has dozens of economically strong cities, towns and boroughs that offer a good quality of life, including the following 10 communities. How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Garden State for 2021. The beauty of North Arlington is that it offers a small-town feel yet promises all the perks you would expect while living in the city. The Berkeley Heights Township is a small suburban town located between Central and North Jersey. And pricey homes. And just like the grains of sand on their gorgeous beaches, no two destinations are the same—except that they all have nostalgia and natural beauty in spades. Residents of beach towns were therefore able to enjoy less crowded conditions than usual, at least for a short time. Excellent area with one of the best school district in New Jersey, hospitals and public transportation (Princeton Junction Train Station). Relatively liberal. We're also very pleased with how serious everyone takes education here (took a little getting used to). Jessica Walker Boehm. Where to Live Now Affordable Places to Live. Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Coming from out of state, we never felt like out siders. You can also tell the teachers truly care about every student they come across.Read 63 Reviews. Great schools, for the most part. I was able to participate in multiple sports and clubs. I have connected with all of my neighbors and I'm sure whoever will move here will have an amazing experience.Read 21 Reviews, Current Resident: The Berkeley Heights Township is a small suburban town located between Central and North Jersey. There are many private day and boarding schools within a 10-15 mile radius. Noisy. The 46 Most Quaint and Charming Beach Towns in America For Your Best Vacation Yet You don't even have to leave the U.S. for a warm weather getaway. Also, the accessibility to the city is very convenient, especially for teenagers who wish to hang out with their friends. Of those cities, Ocean Springs is the beachiest. The suburb of Morris County features breathtaking scenery that has no doubt swayed the decision of many to settle in the area. Parsippany-Troy Hills also features a bustling art scene, and this, along with its 25 parks, were some of the reasons Money Magazine ranked it so highly. Chatham has a population of 9,000, with an adult population that holds a minimum of a college degree. Within 20-30 minutes you can be in Philly and the rest of the time you can be in an idyllic place really.Read 15 Reviews, Current Resident: Plainsboro is a quiet but affluent township, outside of Princeton, New Jersey, that is small in nature but significant in the landscape of Middlesex County. Then again, this is a neighbourhood best suited for retirees and anyone who fancies a low-key, low cost of living. Every day they bounce out the car, excited to learn something new! North Arlington was included in TIME’s Money Magazine Best Places to Live in America 2017, checking in at No. The library is amazing with a separate wing for kids and dynamic programming. We then narrowed it down to places with at least 10,000 people that weren't townships. Whether you are worried about population size, demographics, cost of living, crime, or educational aspects, we can tailor your search for the things that are most important to you. Nearby towns of Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Garden City and Andrews offer variety for a retiree with the travel bug who doesn't want to go too far. Asbury Park has about a dozen bars and hotels “that cater to gays and lesbians,” according to the NJ.com article “N.J. Great place to raise a family. The beauty of North Arlington is that it offers a small-town feel yet promises all the perks you would expect while living in the city. Jersey City is barely better than Newark but may be getting worse again crime-wise. And Midland Park. Niche.com named Princeton the third best place to live in New Jersey 2017. Flickr/Bob Jagendorf Unlike many New Jersey towns, beach access is free in Keansburg, and you can score great NYC skyline views on a clear day. There is a reason why I moved across the entire country from California to receive my education here in Fort Lee. The train is a 55 minute ride to NYC for $11. In case you’re wondering, the city gets its name from the one and only Thomas Edison whose home and main research lab were based here – yes, including the lab where the famous “10,000” light bulbs were tested before he finally cracked the puzzle. Haworth is an absolutely gorgeous and underrated community. The thing is, though, every place has its own ups and downs. Upper class. The education system, in my opinion, is one of the best ones in the county, if not New Jersey. Crime is extremely low, so low that you can leave your door unlocked for many days and nights, without worrying about break-ins. Moved here when we started our family and don’t plan on leaving! I have connected with all of my neighbors and I'm sure whoever will move here will have an amazing experience. NJ. To create our list of the best places in New Jersey to retire, we first used Census data to find all places in the Garden State -- 543 cities and towns. Classrooms were well cared for and the campus had the appropriate fields and space for the sports and activities.Read 112 Reviews, Parent: My children have been attending FH for the last 7 years. Very safe.Read 49 Reviews, Current Resident: Allendale is a great community. There is also a beautiful water stream that goes across the town of Ho-Ho-Kus.Read 10 Reviews, Current Resident: New Providence is an awesome town to live in and particularly to raise a family in. This is one of the safest places in New Jersey, a tranquil town that is ideal for strolling around with family, with the Little Firehouse Theater one of the major entertainment spots. My town is very family friendly with multiple parks where children can play and adults can walk or bike around. You’ll find it all — toys, collectibles, clothing, candles, and food — at this 17th-century landmark. Then there's the wealthy towns such as Westfield/Summit/Berkeley Heights. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Home in Rahway, NJ. Here are the Best Places to Live in New Jersey: Princeton, NJ; Highland Park, NJ; Ramsey, NJ; Madison, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Hoboken, NJ; Camden, NJ; Westfield, NJ; Fair Lawn, NJ; Toms River, NJ