Cape May Court House, NJ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Located in Southern New Jersey, Cape May Court House is a census-designated place in Cape May County. The small region is surrounded by water and provides abundant outdoor recreation. In addition, its pleasant summer temperatures and quaint shopping district make it popular for retirees looking for small-town charm on the East Coast.

Climate & Geography 

Cape May Court House has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and cold winters. Flanked by the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the water moderates temperatures, making summers cooler and winters warmer than further north and inland New Jersey cities. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with more rain than snow.

Southern New Jersey is on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which features rolling hills. Cape May Court House is mainly treeless and sandy closer to the shore, while the areas further inland are more heavily wooded. The Garden State Parkway bisects the city and makes for easy travel north along the coast.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Located in the southern peninsula of New Jersey, Cape May Court House is minutes away from multiple shores for beach access. In addition, it is located on both the Great Sound and Jenkins Sound, giving residents ample opportunity for fishing, swimming, and boating.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo is located to the west of the CDP and is open year round, offering free admission throughout its 85 acres of exhibits. Cape May National Wildlife Rescue is southeast of the city with 11,000 acres of wildlife habitats for birding and trail walking. There are also several golf courses in the area, many using the natural water as traps in their courses.

Residents seeking shopping, local restaurants, and live music can head to Washington Street mall, an outdoor walking mall spanning three blocks with brick pathways. The area has a local distillery, wineries, and breweries as well.

Ocean City is a half-hour away, and Philadelphia is a one-and-a-half hour drive.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

Cape May Court House’s cost of living is slightly above the national average. The two biggest factors for this are housing and transportation. Utilities and groceries also hover above the national average, and health care costs are below average.

New Jersey does not tax Social Security, and though it does tax other forms of retirement income, the state offers large deductions aimed at retirees. The state also has the highest property taxes in the nation, but again offers a homestead exemption for retirees over the age of 62. Sales taxes are similar to the national average.

Health Care

According to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, New Jersey ranks in the top 10 states of the survey’s social factor.

Cape Regional Health System-Cape May Court House is the only hospital located in the town. Nearby hospitals that have been rated by U.S. News at high performing include Inspira Medical Center in Vineland and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City.