Are you considering moving to Holmdel, New Jersey, and want someone to give you the bottom line of what it’s really like living here? In this episode of Monmouth Redefined, I’m going to share all of the great things about Holmdel and why so many people love calling it home. We’ll also look at a few of the not-so-great things so you know exactly what to expect.
Welcome To Holmdel
Holmdel is part of Monmouth County, located in the central part of New Jersey. It’s a little over 18 square miles and is about 35 miles south of New York City and 12 miles west of the Jersey Shore. The New York Times calls Holmdel a friendly community full of peace and quiet.
If you have ever visited a place and said, ‘Wow!’, that’s how many people feel when visiting Holmdel. Likely, the reason they choose to live in Holmdel is that it offers a suburban lifestyle with many open spaces and a breath of coastal air.
Commuting Options
Another one of the many reasons people love living here is that there are numerous commuting options. Commuters to Manhattan have access to several highways and bridges if they choose to drive, or they can catch a train in nearby Hazlet which will take them to Penn Station. It takes about 70 minutes and costs $15 each way.
There are also buses that run to both Wall Street and Port Authority. The trip takes about an hour and costs $19 one way. Another option that locals love is the New York Waterway Belford Ferry. it departs from Middletown and takes about 42 minutes, costing $21.50 each way.
Education Options
Now that you know how desirable and convenient Holmdel is, let’s talk about the second reason that people love living here: the schools. The Holmdel Public School is highly rated. The school system ranks very high not only in Monmouth County but throughout the state.
The district consists of four schools. Two are for elementary, which is pre-K to 6th grade. One is for middle school, consisting of 7th and 8th graders, and one high school for students 9th through 12th grade. Many parents throughout Monmouth County rave about the Holmdel school system, which is another reason this area is so desirable.
Historic Charm And Things To Do
The third reason people love living in Holmdel is because of all the town offers. Within the town, you’ll find the PNC Art Center, a beautiful amphitheater and venue. You have the Historic Longstreet Farm, located inside of Holmdel Park, which offers playgrounds, trails, picnic, and fishing areas.
Visiting the farm, you’ll see what life was like back in the late 1800s. The workers dress as they did back then, they have a horse-drawn plow, chickens, donkeys, cows, and more. In my opinion, it’s one of the nicest parks I’ve ever been to and one of the best places to bring your children.
Right here in Holmdel, there is also a wine vineyard. So if you love your wine like I love my wine—my favorite is Chardonnay—then you can visit Fox Hollow Vineyards. It’s located on 94 acres and offers many events throughout the year. Last but not least is Bell Works, the former Bell Labs in Holmdel. It was recently reconstructed into a Metroburb, open seven days a week with offices, retail, shopping, dining, and numerous events. It’s unlike anything else you will find in the area.
The Cons Of Living In Holmdel
While those are some of the pros, there have to be some cons, right? Truthfully, Holmdel is just one of those towns that you truly just can’t find many disadvantages with. As far as cons go, I would say the biggest one is the cost of living. Let’s get into what it would cost you should you decide to move to Holmdel.
A two to three-bedroom condo or townhome will run you anywhere from the upper $300,000 price range into the mid $500,000 price range. If you are a family looking for a four-bedroom home, that price can vary greatly depending upon the condition and the amenities that it offers. For an 1,800 square foot home, you can expect to pay roughly around $550,000.
However, for a four-bedroom closer to 5,000 square feet, the price tag on that could go up to $1.5 million or so. Holmdel has become a very desirable place to live throughout the years. And as you can see, home prices reflect that.
Make Holmdel, New Jersey Your Home
I hope this gave you some insight into what it is about Holmdel that people love so much. If you have any additional questions about Holmdel or the Monmouth County area, please don’t hesitate to reach out and I would love to hear from you.
If you liked this video and want to receive more videos about Monmouth County, New Jersey, please make sure you subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of Monmouth Redefined. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!