Heritage Shores
Bridgeville, Delaware
Ocean City, New Jersey
What It Is Like to Retire in Ocean city
Ocean City, New Jersey (population 15,000 in the winter) is a popular retirement community for active adults who enjoy the beach, fishing, boating and a family oriented setting. This beach community just south of Atlantic City has long been a popular family resort. It all started in 1879 when four Methodist ministers chose the island as a suitable spot to establish a Christian retreat and camp meeting. The founders incorporated as the “Ocean City Association” and laid out street and lots for cottages, hotel and businesses. Ocean City is located in Cape May County. The town offers 7 miles of flat, sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. A 3 mile boardwalk is lined with commercial establishments with the Ocean City Music Pier as its core. There is a small commercial downtown. The rest of the compact town is made up of homes, condos, and cottages. Since Ocean City is an island, many homes on the bay side have docks. Photo of Ocean City Music Pier courtesy of Wikipedia and NuncAutNunquam (public domain) Here are some helpful facts about how to retire in New Jersey.
Where to Retire in Ocean city and Home Prices
One of the attractions for active adults 55+ is the ability to live in a casual setting near world famous New Jersey beaches. Children and grandchildren will love to visit – they can walk to the beach down gracious sidewalks. On the outskirts of town there are some newer developments and active adult communities that cater to the newly retired. According to Zillow, the median home value in Ocean City was $970,120 in mid-2023. These prices can be somewhat misleading because there are many condos on the market for far less, and houses on the beach will be a lot more.
What Is Special about Ocean city
Ocean City has those world famous New Jersey beaches. The Travel Channel rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005. It has a small but manageable downtown and the Ocean City Golf Course. A livable small city, you can walk just about anywhere. Sale of alcohol is banned within city limits.
What Is Not Special about Ocean city
It is quiet here. Restaurants tend to be family oriented, so for more sophisticated dining or entertainment you need to go off the island.
Who Will Like Retirement in Ocean city
Ocean City attracts a community of retirees who want to live in a small, family-oriented beach town. Here are some helpful facts about retirement in nearby New Jersey towns like Cape May and Manahawkin . (See Comments below about what it is like to live here).
Local Economy Is Driven by
The economy is driven by tourism.
Climate and Physical Environment
Ocean City is a barrier island with bridge connections to the mainland. The Eastern side of Ocean City borders the Atlantic Ocean, while the Western side faces the Great Egg Harbor. Atlantic City is to the north.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Cultural life is very low key. Walks on the beach or a casual concert would be the mainstay. However, just a short hop away, some of the nation’s top acts perform in Atlantic City every night. Walking on the 3 mile boardwalk can be entertaining.
Crime
Crime is about average.
Medical facilities
Shore Memorial Hospital is 3 miles away in Somers Point. Atlantic City Medical Center is 13 miles away.
Transportation
Atlantic City International is 13 miles away. There is mass transit available from Atlantic City connecting to Philadelphia and New York.
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