Living a Beach Lifestyle in Ocean City, New_Jersey

Ocean City, New Jersey (population 15,000 in the winter) is one of the great beach towns in America. Ocean City offers 7 miles of flat, sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.   It is also distinguished for its fishing, boating and a family oriented setting. This beach community just south of Atlantic City) has been a popular family resort since 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

A 3 mile boardwalk is lined with commercial establishments. The Ocean City Music Pier is at its core. There is a small commercial downtown. The rest of the town is homes, condos, and cottages. Since Ocean City is an island many homes on the bay side have docks. Photo of beach and rising sun courtesy of and per license of Wikipedia and CJKpi.

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 $937,402 in mid-2022. 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.

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.

Valuable Links

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