Dreaming of a house near the seashore? It’s hard not to be drawn to the salt air, gentle breezes, and leisurely days spent swimming, sunning, fishing, and enjoying watersports. New Jersey has 130 miles of coastline, and the people who live near it know just how lucky they are.
55places profiles dozens of active adult communities that are “down the shore” (Jersey jargon), and many are more affordable than you think. As you go farther north into Monmouth County, the prices go up, but we’ve put together a list of five neighborhoods in the southern counties that have lower price points. They’re not beachfront properties ($$$$), but we think you’ll like what these budget-friendly 55+ communities have to offer.
1. Woodland Village – Absecon, NJ
Below $100k – Mid $100s
This is low-maintenance living at its best—Woodland Village is a small active adult neighborhood that offers 108 resale condos and a reasonable homeowners’ association fee (HOA) to cover community services.
The seven floor plans have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, luxury master suites, porches or balconies, large living rooms, and either garages or parking spots. Woodland Village’s clubhouse is the community’s social hub, and it has a fitness room, a banquet hall, a catering kitchen, and an outdoor pool. Socially-minded residents also spend time together at holiday parties, bingo games, and book club.
The town of Absecon is close to Route 9, Route 30, and the Garden State Parkway, so it’s easy to drive to Atlantic City, Brigantine, and Ventnor. Other nearby landmarks include the Atlantic City International Airport and Historic Smithville. For shopping needs, there’s a grocery store, pharmacies, banks, restaurants, and other services less than two miles away.
Learn more information about Woodland Village here.
2. Perry’s Lake – Manahawkin, NJ
Low $100s – Low $200s
Just eight miles west of laid-back Long Beach Island, Perry’s Lake’s enviable location places it near the Garden State Parkway and A. Paul King County Park. It’s also just outside of Downtown Manahawkin, where you’ll find banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, a Kohls, a Home Depot, restaurants, and the town’s historic train station museum.
This mid-sized active adult community has 450 resale manufactured single-family homes in six floor plans. They range from 1,320 to 1,680 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, and a one-car garage. Features include three-season rooms and spacious master baths with soaking tubs; options include upgraded appliances and cabinets as well as sprinkler systems. The monthly HOA fee also includes lawn care, trash and snow removal, and taxes.
The welcoming clubhouse has a multipurpose room, a crafts studio, a fitness center, bocce ball and tennis courts, plus a sparkling outdoor pool and spa. There’s also a basketball court and a playground for grandchildren at this lovely property.
Learn more information about Perry’s Lake here.
3. Sonata Bay – Berkeley Township, NJ
Mid $100s – Low $300s
Head about 20 miles north from Perry’s Lake and you’ll arrive at Sonata Bay, which has 312 resale attached and single-family homes as well as an HOA that provides for lawn care, common ground maintenance, and snow removal. The community is close to Barnegat Bay, the beaches of Seaside Park, and Double Trouble State Park. For shopping needs, nearby Route 9 is full of grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, restaurants, and other services.
Sonata Bay’s clubhouse is the perfect gathering place, with its catering kitchen, library, game room, and exercise room. Outside, there’s a pool and patio as well as shuffleboard, tennis, and bocce ball courts.
Learn more information about Sonata Bay here.
4. Gateway Shores – Cape May Court House, NJ
Mid $100s – Low $200s
With a desirable Cape May County zip code, Gateway Shores is a tight-knit neighborhood of just 66 resale attached homes. It’s just outside of Cape May County Park and Zoo, and it’s a stone’s throw from beach resort towns like Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May.
Gateway Shores’ attached floor plans are sized from 850 to around 1,040 square feet, with one to two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and either one-car garages or designated parking spots. These cozy homes were designed with vaulted ceilings, open living spaces, generously sized living rooms, and plenty of storage. The welcoming community clubhouse has an outdoor pool, a catering kitchen, a multipurpose room, and a peaceful library.
Learn more information about Gateway Shores here.
5. Sunrise Bay – Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Mid $100s – Low $300s
Our fifth affordable Jersey Shore 55+ community is Sunrise Bay, located in Ocean County near Mystic Island, the Atlantis Golf Course, and the Tuckerton Seaport. It’s also close to Route 9, where you’ll find an ACME, a Dollar General, pharmacies, and a Walmart Supercenter.
The seven floor plans range from 1,270 and 2,175 square feet, with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and one- to two-car garages. Additional features include decks, patios, porches, and storm doors. The HOA fees cover trash and snow removal, lawn care, and common area maintenance.
Inside the community clubhouse, there’s a ballroom, craft and activity rooms, and a fitness center. During the warmer months, homeowners enjoy the heated outdoor pool, sundeck, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and putting green. They also enjoy participating in Sunrise Bay’s many clubs and activities, like water aerobics, ice cream socials, and the Sunday Musical Arts Group.
