Let’s be candid…. who doesn’t love a beautifully landscaped yard? Right? With all the goodies like a candy store. Lots of beautiful colors and textures. I mentioned it before, when April hits, it’s like the ‘Awakening’… lots of hustle and bustle of yard clean ups, …
Are
you already tired of the winter weather? Grey skies, snow, sleet, rain? Now is probably
a good time to start thinking about your summer getaway. Especially if you
can’t take one now for a reprieve from the cold.
The
Jersey Shore is the perfect place to look for a summer vacation! Although I am
a native, I still get warm and fuzzy when I think Jersey Shore. It’s my home
after all. Since I live at the Jersey Shore, I want to tell you about “my
Jersey Shore”.
I
grew up here in the LBI/Manahawkin region. Where summers were spent bicycling
around town, canoeing on the lagoons and days spent on the beach. Backyard
barbecues, shucking clams, parades and fireworks. Although it is a different
time, not that much has changed. Families still come to the Jersey Shore to
enjoy their beach season and to make memories with their families. I love the
Long Beach Island beaches with the sugar white sand. There are ice cream shops
galore not only on the island, but off too. If you enjoy the nightlife, the
Beach Haven area is a good place to check out. Beach Haven also has an
amusement park for the kiddies, waterpark, Surflight Theater and shopping mall
for those local goodies. The island overall has an abundance of shops and
restaurants. On the North side in Barnegat Light, there is the fishing village
and Lighthouse area too. And let’s not forget boating! Manahawkin offers waterfront
properties so you can keep you boat right at your home. LBI also has waterfront
locations. This is just a taste of what the area has to offer. If you stop
down, don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Sandpaper. It offers information
on all the local stuff like restaurants, bands, concerts and more. This is not
what you see on the reality show. LBI is a very different shore area than that
which was featured on television.
Now
is the time to start planning your summer retreat. There are many options to
look at to find that perfect stay. If you are looking for a temporary stay,
then a rental is what you will need. Sites like LBIVRBO, VRBO and Airbnb are
very helpful. Local real estate offices can also assist. Proximity to the ocean
is what drives overall price. When renting, ask the questions as to what you
might need to bring with you. Are linens provided? Do you need pillows, etc.
If it’s a second home you prefer, then Beach Haven West or LBI can offer you a wide range of prices and accommodations to suit whatever your lifestyle and needs are. On LBI, the proximity to the beach can drive price, but so can location on the water. There’s the North End and the South End. Both have very different appeals. The South is very active with night time entertainment for all while the North end is quieter. Pricing on the island will generally start around $400k and go up from there.
On
the mainland side, Beach Haven West (not to be confused with Beach Haven on the
island), is the waterfront area of choice. Most homes are not too far from the
bridge to the island if you like to enjoy both beach and boating. Homes
generally range from a low of $300k and up. There may be some foreclosures a
bit lower, but will most likely need extensive repair or need to be raised
higher. There are a bevy of restaurants on the mainland side as well as
shopping. Additionally, you can find other activities such as a movie theater,
canoeing in the creeks/rivers, Atlantic City is only about 35 minutes from
Manahawkin and more.
Speaking
of AC, we are really centrally located in this area. As mentioned above, only
35mins to AC, 1.5 hrs to Philadelphia and 2 hours from New York City. If you
are coming in out of state, it could be a great opportunity to spend time at
the shore, but also branch out and visit another hotspot.
Of
course, if you have any questions about “My Jersey Shore”, please feel free to
reach out!
Hope to see you at the Jersey Shore this 2019 year!
This blog, HARNJ.com is based on the opinion and expertise of the blogger, Lisa G Lopez. Ms Lopez is a licensed NJ REALTOR® and Broker. This blog post should not be considered legal advice. If you need legal advice, please seek legal counsel.