Are you thinking about living in Manalapan, New Jersey, and you’re wondering what it might be like? In this episode of Monmouth Redefined, I’m going to introduce you to Manalapan and give you a rundown of what life is like here. We’ll look at everything from schools and the cost of living to lifestyle so you can decide if this is the right area for you.
Welcome To Manalapan
Telling you what life is like here in Manalapan, New Jersey is very easy for me. My husband and I moved here back in 2010 with my twins Nicholas and Gabriella. At that time, Nick and Gabby were only two years old—and today, in the blink of an eye, they’re 12. Some of the reasons that we decided to move here are for the sense of community that the town offers, the schools, and the people.
If you’re not sure, our town is pronounced “ma-NAL-a-pin.” Many people from outside of the area pronounce it man-uh-LAP-in—but I have no idea where that place is. Our town of Manalapan is located about 60 minutes from New York City, a little over an hour from Philadelphia, and only about 30 to 40 minutes from some of the greatest beaches here in New Jersey.
It’s for these reasons that people love living here. Its close proximity to these locations—along with Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Newark Airport—makes our area a desirable place to settle.
Housing Costs
Now that you know a little bit about Manalapan, I’m going to break down the cost of housing. Prices for homes can vary, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have additional questions. Here are some general pointers, though, to get you started.
Home prices here have increased dramatically since the onset of COVID. When we moved here 10 years ago, we purchased our home for $460,000. 10 years later and through a pandemic, the same house without any upgrades will likely cost you at least $800,000.
Now if you’re moving to Manalapan and you’re looking for a townhouse, Meadow Creek is a very popular development. There, you can purchase a three-bedroom townhouse for about $500,000. If you’re looking for more space and want a single-family home, it’s probably going to take you at least $700,000 or so to get into Manalapan. If you’re handy and can do some work and put in your own upgrades, then you may find something for a little bit less.
The Three Sections Of Town
The one thing you need to know about Manalapan is that it consists of three sections. This includes northern Manalapan, southern Manalapan, and Englishtown. Northern Manalapan—which is closer to route nine and gives you access to the Garden State Parkway—is going to offer you public utilities. However, the lot sizes are going to be smaller than what you’re going to find in southern Manalapan.
In southern Manalapan, you’ll find larger homes and larger lot sizes. However, if you’re living in southern Manalapan, you’re probably going to take the turnpike versus the parkway. This means your commute to North Jersey or New York City is going to be longer. Because of the large lot sizes, you’re also going to find you do not have access to public utilities—so you’ll have to deal with septic and well.
There’s also a third section in Manalapan named Englishtown. It shares the same zip code as Manalapan and the same school district, but your mailing address is going to say Englishtown and not Manalapan. You will also find that your home prices in Englishtown are going to be lower than in Manalapan. Many of the homes in Englishtown are older, and several were even built in the early 1900s. On average, if you’re purchasing a four-bedroom, single-family home here, it’s going to cost you about $400,000. A good rule of thumb is that home prices tend to be much higher in Manalapan than in Englishtown, even though they share the same zip code and school system.
The Lifestyle
Now that you have an idea of the location and the cost of housing, let’s look at the lifestyle and who Manalapan tens to attract. You’ll find that many residents have relocated to the Manalapan area from the New York area, mainly Staten Island and Brooklyn.
One of the reasons is that you get a lot more for your money here in Manalapan. Additionally, because of the access back and forth to Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New York City, many people from those areas who move here can easily go back and forth to work or to visit family and friends.
Another one of the biggest draws is the schools. Did you know that Manalapan township is actually part of the Freehold Regional High School District? The Freehold Regional High School District is a highly desirable program that includes other surrounding towns such as Freehold, Marlboro, Colts Neck, and Howell. It offers 12 magnet programs, allowing students to pursue their passions in focused areas.
Recreation And Amenities
But what is there to do here in Manalapan? Because we are located in the central part of New Jersey, we have access to the best of both worlds. We’re about an hour away from New York City, or if you enjoy gambling as I do, you can get to Atlantic City in about an hour and 15 minutes.
We also have the beaches, which are only a short car ride away. For those who love shopping, we are located very close to several malls and outlets. Additionally, kids love going to Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor—just 20 minutes away in Jackson, New Jersey. Lastly, Manalapan has a fabulous recreation center that hosts soccer games and football games. It also offers running trails, a splash pad, and a playground for the kids.
Is Manalapan Right For You?
I hope this gave you some insight into what life is like living here in Manalapan. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and ask. I love living here, and I’m confident that you will as well.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of Monmouth Redefined, my show all about New Jersey living in Monmouth County. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!
Leave a Reply