Rio Grande, NJ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Rio Grande is a Southern New Jersey community located in Cape May County. Residents can enjoy the great number of amenities and recreation in Rio Grande while also enjoying the quaint, small town quality of this community. 

Climate and Geography

Most of New Jersey experiences a humid subtropical climate, which is characterized by hot, humid summers and cold to mild winters. Residents of the community can expect higher-than-average amounts of snow and rain, and approximately 206 sunny days throughout the year. 

Rio Grande is located in the center of the Cape May Peninsula, which separates the Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Some of the top attractions in Rio Grande include Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery, 7 Mile Brewery, Forgotten Warriors, Cape May Par 3  & Driving Range, Miracles Fitness, Frank Theaters Rio Stadium 12, and Offshore Adventure Golf & Batting Cages. 

Rio Grande is also located in Middle Township where the main attractions are Cape May County Park and Zoo, Natali Vineyards, Bucket Brigade Brewery, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, Cape May Distillery, Middle Township Bike Path, and Jessie Creek Winery, the Museum of Cape May County, Leaming’s Run Gardens, and Coho Brewing Co. 

The Cape May Peninsula, and the nearby city of Cape May, are known as popular tourist destinations for resorts. The region is also famous as one of the top bird watching sites in North America, and there are plenty of parks and designated bird watching areas for residents to visit. 

The community is also about an hour away from Atlantic City, another popular resort town that is well-known for its casinos and beaches. Philadelphia can be reached in about an hour and a half, providing even more exciting opportunities for day trips and weekend getaways.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Rio Grande is lower than the state and national average, with factors like grocery, health care, housing, and transportation all contributing to the low cost. 

The effective income tax rate in New Jersey is 1.53 percent for single filers and 3.37 percent for joint filers. However, retirement income like Social Security benefits are not taxed while military pensions and railroad retirement benefits are fully exempt. Qualifying taxpayers may also exclude income from pensions, annuities, IRAs, and other retirement plans. 

Homeowners who meet requirements may also get property tax relief through the state programs like the “senior freeze”, or a $250 tax deduction. 

Health Care

Rio Grande residents may receive health care services from hospitals like Cape Regional Health System-Cape May Court and Beebe Healthcare Lewes. Local clinics include Cooperative Care, AtlantiCare Physician Group Primary Care Plus, Rio Grande, Cape Regional Radiology, Atlantic Cape Rehab Associates, NovaCare Rehabilitation, and Olivieri Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center.