There are a few advantages (and disadvantages) to living in Monmouth County. Here’s what you need to know.
There are things to both love and hate about living in Monmouth County, and today I’ll share a little of both.
Pros of life in Monmouth County:
1. Location. We’re right in the middle of so many places and things to do. We’re only about an hour from New York City, depending on whether you drive or take public transport. Speaking of which, there are many options for public transportation, including buses, trains, or the ferry. If you enjoy entertainment and nightlife, we’re only an hour-and-a-half away from Atlantic City.
2. School systems. Many of our school districts are rated among the top 100 in New Jersey (Holmdel is rated No. 21 out of all the New Jersey districts). There is no need to pay for private schools here.
3. Beaches. We have access to so many amazing beaches; Point Pleasant is definitely a favorite of my family’s. There, you have the boardwalk, an amusement park, shopping, loads of restaurants and bars, and a fabulous family-friendly beach. For a quieter, lower-key beach, try Manasquan, Siegert, or Spring Lake.
Cons of living in Monmouth:
1. Traffic. Depending on the day, there can be quite a lot of traffic, and commuting back and forth to NYC can be costly if you take the train or bus. I’ve never taken the ferry, but many have said that it’s the best way to travel to NYC.
2. Property taxes. Due to our wonderful school districts, our property taxes and home prices can be quite high. Holmdel has more reasonable taxes, but the median sale price for the area is $813,000. Manalapan has a median home price of $547,000, but their taxes are higher.
3. Parking. Beach parking fills up fast. If you’re planning to go to the beach on a weekend or holiday, get there early or else you’ll have to walk quite a ways to get to the beach.
One factor that could go either way, depending on who you are:
- Monmouth County has a lot of people relocating from the New York area, specifically Staten Island and Brooklyn. I know many great people from those areas, but some residents aren’t fond of what they recognize as the ‘New York attitude.’
If you have any questions or have been thinking about moving here, please reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
