South Jersey is not just another destination; it offers a kind of lifestyle that can’t be pigeon-holed into one category. Its residents are loyal to the Philadelphia sports teams, head “down the shore” on summer weekends, and prefer Wawa convenience stores to 7-11s. Strip malls rule the highways, and they’re filled with all kinds of restaurants, retail stores, and specialty shops.
Sure, it’s part of often-pricey New Jersey, but South Jersey real estate can be much more budget-friendly. If you look at some of the more established active adult communities, there are some with homes priced under $100k, but these low prices don’t indicate a lack of amenities. In fact, many offer lovely clubhouses and some are golf course communities. Many are close to the beaches, while others are near abundant greenspace. There are also some in more citified locales.
We’ve selected four 55+ South Jersey communities for you to read about, and they’ll provide you with a snapshot of what the area has to offer. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, don’t worry. There are another 127 active adult communities in South Jersey that you can check out!
Holiday City at Berkeley – Toms River, NJ
Below $100k – Low $300s
Active adults who thrive in large communities will love Holiday City at Berkeley. With over 10,000 single-family homes and six clubhouses, this small-town-within-itself has everything you’ll need for a vibrant, low-maintenance lifestyle. There are five subdivisions here: Holiday City at Berkeley, Holiday City Carefree, Holiday City Heights, Holiday City South, and Holiday City West.
The 20 floor plans range from 757 to over 1,852 square feet with one to three bedrooms, one or two baths, and a one- or two-car garage. Some also have options like dens, eat-in kitchens, Florida rooms, and thermal windows. The monthly homeowners’ association (HOA) fee provides for common area maintenance, lawn care, and a community bus service.
Between the six clubhouses, there’s a multitude of swimming pools, sports courts, auditoriums, arts and crafts studios, and gathering rooms. There are ongoing activities like the bocce club, chorus, Zumba, fishing club, and planned trips, so your social calendar will be filled with fun, rewarding pastimes.
Holiday City is in desirable Ocean County, meaning that beaches like Seaside Park and Ortley are only about 10 minutes away. Also, Downtown Toms River is full of small shops in addition to a farmers market and special events like its popular holiday tree lighting.
Click here to request more information about Holiday City at Berkeley here.
Fawn Lakes – Manahawkin, NJ
Below $100k – High $100s
Much smaller in scale, Fawn Lakes is also in Ocean County, and it has 250 resale attached and single-family homes. The three attached floor plans range from 810 to 1,368 square feet with one to two bedrooms and one to one-and-a-half bathrooms. The three single-family homes range from 1,126 to 1,534 square feet, also with one to two bedrooms and one to one-and-a-half bathrooms. Some offer attached garages, dens, and granite countertops. The HOA fee provides for lawn care and common area maintenance.
The welcoming clubhouse has a multi-purpose room, a catering kitchen, a ballroom, craft and game rooms, plus a bocce ball court and an outdoor pool. Friends and neighbors also enjoy spending time at happy hours, holiday parties, A Night at the Races, Dancercize, and movies. Manahawkin is south of Toms River, putting it closer to beach resort towns like Long Beach Island. On the way to the beaches, you’ll pass by Southern Ocean Medical Center, Costco, Target, Walmart, and the Stafford Square Mall.
Click here to request more information about Fawn Lakes here.
Traditions at Blueberry Ridge – Hammonton, NJ
Low $100s – High $200s
In case you weren’t aware, Hammonton is the blueberry capital of the world, and this rural South Jersey hamlet is perfect for retirees seeking a more relaxed pace of life. With just 134 single-family homes, Traditions at Blueberry Ridge is in Atlantic County, about halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
There are three floor plans sized from 1,610 to 2,013 square feet with two or three bedrooms, two or three baths, and two-car garages. Some may have options like patios, vaulted ceilings, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The monthly HOA fee provides for lawn care, snow removal, and common area maintenance.
Traditions has a small clubhouse, and it’s just minutes from Hammonton Health and Fitness Center. The center of town has a Shoprite, a Walmart, and many other stores. You’ll also find some excellent restaurants here, like Annata Wine Bar and El Mariachi Loco.
Click here to request more information about Traditions at Blueberry Ridge here.
Cedar Glen Lakes – Whiting, NJ
Below $100k – Low $100s
Whiting is well-known for its many active adult communities, including Cedar Glen Lakes. It’s the bigger development in town, with 1,236 resale attached and single-family homes and two clubhouses.
The four attached duplex models range from 544 to 1,300 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one bathroom, and attached one-car garages or driveway parking. Additional perks include screened-in porches, eat-in kitchens, and private outdoor space. The three single-family floor plans range from 1,050 to 1,300 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one bathroom, porches, and attached one-car garages. Options may include dens, three-season rooms, and crown molding.
In addition to those two clubhouses, there’s a mini-golf course, scenic ponds, bocce ball courts, and shuffleboard on the grounds. There are too many clubs and activities to list here, but some include gardening, volunteering, movie nights, fishing club, and the Cedar Chips Musical Performers. Surrounded by beautiful open space, Cedar Glen Lakes is also close to the Jersey shore. It sits just outside of Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, and it’s also close to pristine Crossley Preserve.
Click here to request more information about Cedar Glen Lakes here.
