Are you considering moving here to Freehold, New Jersey, and wonder what it might be like to live here? In this episode of Monmouth Redefined, I’m going to welcome you to Freehold and give you an overall rundown of what life is really like here. We’ll look at everything from location and the cost of living to schools so you can see if this area is the best fit for you.
Freehold, New Jersey is located in Monmouth County. It’s approximately an hour south of New York City and is considered to be located in the central section of New Jersey. One of the reasons people like living here so much is the proximity to New York City, Philadelphia, and many beautiful beaches.
One thing that you need to know is that Freehold consists of two sections: Freehold Township and Freehold Borough. First I’m going to discuss Freehold Borough.
All About Freehold Borough
The borough is much smaller than the township at only about 1.9 square miles. It’s filled with many historical attractions that date back well into the Revolutionary War era. The New York Times has referred to the borough as the hole in the donut because it’s surrounded by a township of the same name. Fun fact: Bruce Springsteen grew up in Freehold Borough, living in three different homes throughout his childhood in this area.
Now that you understand a little bit about Freehold Borough, let’s discuss housing. You are going to find that home prices in the borough are much lower than in the township. Your average four-bedroom home within Freehold Borough is going to cost you roughly $400,000. Also, the style of homes in the borough varies greatly from the township. The borough offers beautiful Victorian-style homes located on shady tree-lined streets. In the township, you’re going to have more colonial, cookie-cutter homes.
Downtown Freehold offers wonderful restaurants, many of them with outdoor dining. The borough is often the site for outdoor concerts, events, parades, a summertime farmer’s market, and a sense of community and diversity.
Exploring Freehold Township
Now that you know about the borough, let’s get some insight into Freehold Township. The Township is broken up into two sections: East Freehold and West Freehold. West Freehold is considered anything west of Route 9 and borders Howell, Jackson, and Manalapan townships. This area offers very easy access to several restaurants, the mall, Great Adventure, iPlay America, and more. There’s no shortage of things to do in West Freehold.
If you choose to live in West Freehold, however, your commute to North Jersey, New York City, or Staten Island is definitely going to be longer than if you live in East Freehold. East Freehold is located east of Route 9 and borders Manalapan, Marlboro, and Colts Neck. You have easy access to Route 18, which is the road that’s going to take you to the parkway. This makes commuting to New York City or the North Jersey area much more convenient than living in West Freehold.
In East Freehold, however, you’re not going to have as many options as far as food, shopping, and restaurants. It does border the Henry Hudson Trail, though, which is a beautiful 25-mile paved trail that residents love walking, running, jogging, and biking on. Many residents who live in Freehold tend to have their preference of whether they prefer the east or the west side. It’s a little bit like living in New York City, where many debate which side is better.
Raising A Family
For right around $300,000 in the Township, you can get a two to three-bedroom condo or townhouse. If you’re looking for a single-family property, that can vary anywhere from $500,000 all the way up to over a million dollars. The area tends to attract families, as Freehold is a great place to raise a family. It offers so much for kids and family life. You will notice that many locals who are raised here tend to stay here—and don’t leave.
The schools are a big draw for families here in Freehold. The Freehold Regional High School District is highly rated and offers students 12 specialized magnet programs once they are in high school. The statistics show that 87% of the students go on to pursue higher education, and many of them do so at some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation.
Additionally, living in Freehold offers families no shortage of opportunities for fun. Whether it’s heading to New York or Philadelphia, spending a day at the beach, or having a blast at Six Flags Great Adventure, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoy New Jersey Living In Freehold
I hope this gave you a good idea of everything that Freehold, New Jersey, has to offer. If you have any questions about Freehold, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to send you any information and help you get to know the area a little bit better.
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