10 Refreshing Reasons to Move to Ocean County, New Jersey – The Ultimate Shore Life Guide
Thinking about living in Ocean County, NJ? Discover this full guide on beaches, neighborhoods, schools, cost of living, and why the shore life is worth it.
📍 Welcome to Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County, NJ is where the shore becomes your backyard. Located in southeastern New Jersey, it blends coastal charm, suburban comfort, and senior-friendly affordability — all with easy access to NYC, Philly, and Atlantic City.
Whether you’re dreaming of boardwalk days, a family-friendly neighborhood, or a peaceful retirement, Ocean County is the real deal.
Fast Facts:
- County Seat: Toms River
- Population: ~650,000
- Top Towns: Toms River, Brick, Jackson, Lakewood, Barnegat, Point Pleasant
- Claim to Fame: The Jersey Shore, Barnegat Bay, and the famous Seaside Heights Boardwalk 🏖️
🌤️ Geography & Climate – Life by the Water
Ocean County has more coastline than most states, with beaches, bays, rivers, and natural preserves all rolled into one.
🌎 Nature & Features:
- Barrier islands like Long Beach Island (LBI)
- Barnegat Bay and Toms River
- Pine Barrens + state forests
- Miles of bike paths, boardwalks, and wildlife sanctuaries
☀️ Seasonal Vibes:
| Season | Avg Temp (°F) | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 50–70 | Fresh, breezy 🌸 |
| Summer | 75–90 | Hot, beachy ☀️ |
| Fall | 55–70 | Crisp, peaceful 🍁 |
| Winter | 25–45 | Quiet & cozy ❄️ |
There’s something magical about sunrise over the Atlantic.
🏘️ Best Places to Live in Ocean County
From bustling suburbs to sleepy beach towns, Ocean County offers something for every lifestyle — at a price that won’t wreck your budget.
🏡 Where to Look:
| Town | Vibe & Lifestyle | Avg Home Price | Commute to NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River | Central, versatile | $450,000 | ~90 min |
| Brick | Coastal suburbia | $475,000 | ~75–90 min |
| Jackson | Rural-suburban blend | $520,000 | ~90 min |
| Barnegat | Quiet + budget-friendly | $400,000 | ~100 min |
| Point Pleasant | Upscale beach town | $650,000 | ~85 min |
| Lakewood | Urban, diverse, growing | $470,000 | ~90 min |
Toms River and Brick are family central. LBI and Point Pleasant offer luxury coastal living.
💼 Jobs & Economy – Not Just a Beach Town
While tourism dominates the summer, Ocean County has a surprisingly stable year-round economy, especially in healthcare, education, logistics, and retail.
🧑💼 Key Sectors:
- Healthcare & Senior Services
- Public Education
- Real Estate & Construction
- Tourism, Hospitality & Retail
- Trucking, Shipping & Warehousing
📈 Economic Snapshot:
- Median Household Income: ~$82,000
- Unemployment Rate: ~4.5%
- Seasonal hiring peaks in summer ☀️
Remote work? Ocean views from your home office sound good, right?
🏠 Real Estate – Affordable & Coastal
You’ll find a range of housing, from new developments to 55+ communities, shore houses to rural retreats.
🏠 Market Comparison:
| Area | Avg Home Price | Avg Rent (2BR) | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River | $450,000 | $2,200 | ~2.1% |
| Jackson | $520,000 | $2,400 | ~2.2% |
| Barnegat | $400,000 | $2,000 | ~2.0% |
| Point Pleasant | $650,000 | $2,800 | ~2.3% |
| Lakewood | $470,000 | $2,100 | ~2.4% |
Key Trends:
- 55+ communities booming in Manchester & Barnegat
- Strong short-term rental market along the coast
- Planned communities in Jackson & Toms River attracting young families
You can still buy a home near the beach in NJ for under $500K — Ocean County proves it.
🚗 Transportation – Not Just Boardwalk Bikes
You’ll need a car to get around Ocean County, but commuting to NYC or Philly is absolutely doable.
🛣️ Transit Options:
- Garden State Parkway (Exits 63–91 run through the county)
- NJ Transit buses to NYC, AC, and local towns
- NJ Transit rail via nearby stations in Bay Head or Long Branch
- Park & Ride locations in Toms River, Lakewood, and Jackson
- Atlantic City Airport & Trenton-Mercer Airport for regional flights
🎓 Schools & Education – Family-Approved
Ocean County is family-friendly and education-forward, with solid public schools and vocational programs.
🏫 Top School Districts:
- Toms River Regional School District
- Jackson School District
- Brick Township Public Schools
- Barnegat Township School District
- Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS)
Colleges & Training:
- Ocean County College (Toms River)
- Rutgers & Rowan campuses nearby
- Strong career/technical programs
Ocean County is a great place to raise kids without city stress.
🏥 Healthcare – Built for Families & Seniors
With a large senior population, Ocean County has invested heavily in quality medical care, including hospitals, clinics, and assisted living facilities.
🏥 Major Providers:
- Community Medical Center (Toms River)
- Southern Ocean Medical Center (Manahawkin)
- Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (Lakewood)
- Countless senior care and physical therapy centers
🌳 Parks, Beaches & Outdoor Life
You won’t run out of outdoor activities in Ocean County — from surfing to birdwatching, hiking to boating.
🌲 Must-See Natural Spots:
- Island Beach State Park – 10 miles of protected beach 🏖️
- Cattus Island County Park – trails + views
- Barnegat Lighthouse State Park – iconic and Insta-worthy 📸
- Double Trouble State Park – pine barrens adventure
- Lake Shenandoah County Park
🍽️ Food, Culture & Community
Ocean County blends classic NJ diners, boardwalk snacks, global eats, and local farm-to-table spots.
🍴 Where to Eat:
- Shut Up and Eat! (Toms River) – quirky breakfast joint
- Bum Rogers Tavern (Seaside Park) – seafood and live music
- Il Giardinello (Toms River) – Italian date night
- Surf Taco (Jackson + Seaside) – shore-style tacos
- La Catrina (Lakewood) – authentic Mexican
🎪 What to Do:
- Seaside Heights Boardwalk
- Jenkinson’s Aquarium + Amusement Park (Point Pleasant)
- BlueClaws Minor League Baseball ⚾
- Downtown Toms River events, night markets, and food truck festivals
- Local farmers markets all summer
🕊️ Diversity, Community & Senior Living
Ocean County is family-friendly, retirement-ready, and growing more diverse each year.
- Major retirement communities: Leisure Village, Holiday City, Four Seasons
- Expanding Orthodox Jewish population in Lakewood
- Active Christian, Muslim, and Hindu communities
- Dozens of 55+ gated developments
Looking for an easy, low-tax retirement near the beach? This is it.
🛡️ Safety & Peace of Mind
Ocean County offers safe suburban and coastal living, with low crime rates outside seasonal boardwalk crowds.
| Area | Safety Rating (1–10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 2/10 | Great for families |
| Toms River | 3/10 | Mostly safe, very suburban |
| Brick | 3/10 | Suburban + well-patrolled |
| Seaside Heights | 5/10 | Crowded in summer |
| Barnegat | 2/10 | Quiet and peaceful |
📊 Ocean County Snapshot
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | ~650,000 |
| Median Home Price | ~$460,000 |
| Median Income | ~$82,000 |
| Homeownership Rate | 78% |
| Property Tax Rate | ~2.1% |
| 55+ Population | ~30% (and rising) |
✅ Should You Move to Ocean County?
You’ll love Ocean County if you’re looking for:
- Affordable beach life
- Family-friendly suburbs
- Great retirement communities
- Outdoor recreation all year
- Strong real estate ROI
- Calm coastal towns with access to NYC/Philly
Pros:
- Shoreline beauty
- Variety of towns & lifestyles
- Affordable housing
- Excellent parks, beaches, and schools
- Safe + senior-friendly
Cons:
- Public transportation is limited
- Summer traffic (especially by the beach)
- Seasonal businesses may close in winter
🔗 External Resource
Learn more at the Ocean County Official Website
🧠 Final Thoughts
Ocean County, New Jersey is the kind of place where weekends feel like vacation, the people are down-to-earth, and your quality of life just… works.
Whether you’re buying your first home, raising a family, or planning your dream retirement, Ocean County is more than a beach — it’s home.