Confused? Don’t be, because the subject of our discussion here is the Monroe in Middlesex County in Central New Jersey. Located 15 miles from Princeton and an hour from New York City, the area offers active adults excellent options for vibrant and rewarding lifestyles.
Monroe’s history goes all the way back to 1685, and it has developed into a suburb that offers ample parks, shopping, dining, an active local government, and 14 active adult communities. Just off the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 8A, it’s close to top hospitals like Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Penn Medicine Princeton Health.
Outdoor activities can be found everywhere in Monroe, including at the town’s many parks and golf courses. Top choices include James Monroe Park, Forsgate Country Club, and Thompson Park. Shopaholics can get their fix at area malls like Concordia Shopping Center and Gables Plaza in Princeton. Plus, there are endless other shops, restaurants, and services in town.
Central New Jersey is not inexpensive, but there are low-priced active adult communities to be found. If you’re considering Monroe real estate, these communities may pique your interest even further.
Rossmoor Village
Below $100k – Mid $400s
Styled after an old New England village, Rossmoor Village has its own championship golf course, on-site health center, and additional amenities spread out over 418 acres of prime real estate. Built from 1965 to 1991, this 55+ community consists of 2,303 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes. Current homes for sale range from below $100k to the high $300s.
There are dozens of floor plans to choose from. The condominiums begin at 590 square feet, while the largest single-family models reach 2,259 square feet. The condos and attached homes have carports, while the single-family homes have attached garages. Monthly association dues cover common area and exterior maintenance, trash and snow removal, lawn care, and other fees.
The 30,000 square-foot clubhouse has a busy fitness center and dance studio. Homeowners also take advantage of the many activity rooms, two libraries, and the catering kitchen and ballroom. There are well over 60 clubs, so residents can take their pick of religious clubs, sports, arts, crafts, and pretty much anything else. In addition to the golf course, outdoor activities include croquet, bocce, tennis, and the outdoor pool.
Request more information about Rossmoor Village.
Clearbrook
Low $100s – High $300s
Clearbrook also provides residents with sought-after amenities, including a 9-hole golf course. With 2,026 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes, homebuyers can choose from 28 floor plans. Built between 1972 and 1993, the homes offer either attached garages or nearby outdoor parking. Current homes for sale range from the high $100s to the mid $300s.
Clearbrook has many desirable amenities, including a health center and even a cultural center where residents can see choral groups and stage productions. The modern clubhouse has rooms for ceramics, woodworking, crafts, and sewing, plus a fitness center and computer room.
Outside, there are athletic courts for tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, and bocce, as well as a good-sized swimming pool. And like the other communities listed here, Clearbrook’s many groups and clubs present near-endless opportunities to socialize and stay fit.
Request more information Clearbrook.
Whittingham
Low $300s – Low $500s
For more of a mid-sized neighborhood, active adults can look at Whittingham, a well-liked retirement community of 413 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes. The community is located right next to Greenbriar, a much larger development with slightly higher price points.
Whittingham’s floor plans begin at 1,140 square feet and go up to 1,930 square feet. All of the well-maintained homes have attached garages. A homeowners’ association (HOA) fee provides for community maintenance, snow removal, and lawn care. Current homes for sale range from the high $100s to the mid $400s.
Residents of both Whittingham and Greenbriar can obtain an optional membership to Greenbriar Golf Club at Whittingham, which sponsors frequent tournaments. Homeowners also spend time enjoying the abundant amenities, including the clubhouse’s indoor pool, indoor walking track, and exercise rooms. There’s also an arts and crafts studio, restaurant, ballroom, and computer room.
Outdoor perks include a community garden, RV parking, walking trails, an outdoor pool and spa, and courts for basketball, bocce, and tennis. Friends and neighbors also gather together for activities and clubs such as chorus, singles club, movie nights, lectures, card games, drama club, water volleyball, and painting group.
Request more information about Whittingham.
Concordia
High $100s – High $400s
Residents of Concordia are also never lacking for things to do, as this 55+ community also has its own golf club and resort-style amenities. All residents also receive a special gate pass to the Concordia Shopping Center next door.
Built from 1982 to 2000, this 55+ community includes 1,757 resale single-family, attached, and condominium homes across 14 models. The condos start at 951 square feet, while the largest single-family floor plan is 1,700 square feet. All of these homes come with attached garages. Current homes for sale range from the high $100s to the mid $400s.
Club Concordia is this neighborhood’s central hub, and with good reason. It houses a modern fitness center with an indoor pool, spa, sauna, and a dance studio. There’s a second pool outside, along with bocce courts, shuffleboard, lighted tennis courts, and walking and biking trails.
Some of the most popular activities include book group, discussion groups, free movies, ceramics, and Aquacize. There are also clubs for singles, current events, painting, and Scrabble. Concordia also has its own TV station, which focuses exclusively on neighborhood news and events.
Request more information about Concordia.
Greenbriar
Mid $300s – Low $500s
Greenbriar offers many amenities, a variety of social activities, and proximity to New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and the Jersey Shore. This active adult community is ideal for interested homebuyers seeking luxurious country club living.
Located adjacent to Whittingham, the two communities share a clubhouse, but they have separate homeowners’ associations. Greenbriar has an outdoor swimming pool, a 9-hole golf course, tennis facilities, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, RV parking, and well-maintained walking and biking trails.
Built between 1995 and 2001, Greenbriar includes 1,194 single-family and attached duplex homes. The duplex homes offer 1,672 to 2,540 square feet, while the single-family homes offer 1,751 to 2,639 square feet. Current homes for sale range from the high $300s to the high $400s.
