Where to Live: Keyport, Union Beach, Laurence Harbor, Hazlet, Matawan?? (Highlands: 2015, crime)

[focus282]

Originally Posted by CM402

Hazlet is family oriented and isn't trashy (as long as you don't live near the keansburg side). Rather close to Keyport depending on where you are in Hazlet (I'm off of middle road, very nice here). Keyport is 15ish minutes away in traffic to get to keyport fishery (such good fish). There's a bunch of like ~400kish houses near the high school for sale. Recently built.

imo keyport is more trashy than hazlet. Matawan and Laurence Harbor are nice, Hazlet is third when compared to those two, then keyport and union are below.

man, this is tough...everyone says such different things about each town. i guess i'm just gonna have to go scope them out myself.

thanks for all of your help!

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by focus282

where did you decide, if you don't mind me asking? and how do you like it?

I love where I am, but it probably wouldn't be for you. Quick history lesson: A huge part of Monmouth County was once known as Shrewsbury Township, and then it broke off into smaller towns. All that's left of Shrewsbury Township, not to be confused with the borough of Shrewsbury, is a "doughnut hole" of about 1000 people living in a co-op complex, a condo complex and an apartment complex, with a park in the middle. Oh, and there's a convenience store that sells breakfast/coffee, sandwiches, lottery and liquor, and a community center/municipal complex. There are three streets in Shrewsbury Township and only one way to enter and leave it, which keeps things quiet. I live in one of the condos. Very peaceful place, but close to everything.

My only child is almost 20 and away at college, so I don't know how the schools are, but I believe the kids go to Tinton Falls. I take the train out of Little Silver, about an eight-minute drive from my place. And the beach in Long Branch is about a fifteen-minute drive. Red Bank is up the street.

[mcf17]

Originally Posted by focus282

thanks, mcf17. i meant something close to GSP or with easy access to beach

If that's the case, you might want to look into areas on the south side of the Parkway - Cheesequake (part of Old Bridge, which CM mentioned), the part of Matawan off Aberdeen Road and/or near the lake, or even the part of Aberdeen near Lloyd Road. All those areas are fairly nice and offer quick access to the GSP going southbound toward the shore. Downside is that none of them are near the water (not counting the lake), but I think in general, the inland side of the GSP is nicer, at least until you get down toward Holmdel.

[HubCityMadMan]

Originally Posted by mcf17

If that's the case, you might want to look into areas on the south side of the Parkway - Cheesequake (part of Old Bridge, which CM mentioned), the part of Matawan off Aberdeen Road and/or near the lake, or even the part of Aberdeen near Lloyd Road. All those areas are fairly nice and offer quick access to the GSP going southbound toward the shore. Downside is that none of them are near the water (not counting the lake), but I think in general, the inland side of the GSP is nicer, at least until you get down toward Holmdel.

Yes Aberdeen and Old Bridge are fine except for the sections along Rt 35 like Laurence Harbor and/or Cliffwood Beach. A large chunk of Old Bridge has Aberdeen/Matawan zip code 07747, this is known as the Cheesequake section. I used to teach at Cheesequake Elementary School on Rt 34 in Old Bridge (Matawan address) and thought it was a good group of kids and staff alike, and a good community.

[OysterCatcher]

Originally Posted by focus282

Hi,

I'm 28, recently married, and am looking to buy a house in Central NJ, somewhere along the water. I work in NYC, so can't go too far south.

Moving from a small beach community in NY, so definitely like the small-town vibe, but would still like some sort of night-life.

No children yet, but there will be in the near future, so the school systems will also be a factor.

Any advice on Keyport, Union Beach, Laurence Harbor, Hazlet, Matawan, or any other neighboring towns???

Any information would be a HUGE help.

Thanks!

What's your budget? I would forget about the towns you mentioned here. Look at Middletown (south side only), Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, West Long Branch, Red Bank, Ocean Twp.

Close to beach, commutable to NYC, better towns, better schools.

Good Luck

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by focus282

The Highlands is a great place, but I think it's just way too far from NYC, where I would have to commute to everyday. Are there any other towns worthwhile between the Highlands and Keyport?

The Highlands is closer to NYC than the other places you listed. From Highlands, you would take the Seastreak Ferry. I'm telling you, it's your best bet in that area. Nautical, not pretentious, things to do, places to eat and drink.

[camaro69]

Hey focus282,

I sent you a dm.

If interested let me know.

Thanks

[beachrunner]

Originally Posted by OysterCatcher

What's your budget? I would forget about the towns you mentioned here. Look at Middletown (south side only), Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, West Long Branch, Red Bank, Ocean Twp.

Close to beach, commutable to NYC, better towns, better schools.

Good Luck

Good recommendations, but Ocean Township is probably too far for them. If they had the budget I would also look at Fair Haven. I live in Ocean Township and went through the schools here. I would recommend it, but the train is 1.5 hours+. I take the train from Allenhurst (free parking, but the trains are not as frequent, do not need to switch on express trains going to Hoboken...same with Elberon), but I know a fair amount who take the train from Long Branch since the trains are more frequent.

Don't know about the other areas brought up in the OP, but I have been to Port Monmouth and it seems nice.

[deb8997]

about matawan train station, i would find out the names of the lots there.some are private some may run by the township.one side is matawan and the other is aberdeen,but i live 2 minutes away from train station in aberdeen,and i drive by there all the time,the one lot never has any cars in it anymore. not sure if its from all the downsizing and people lost jobs or they just moved,but the lot never has cars in it. it wouldnt hurt to give them a call to find out.good luck. by the way i live in aberdeen,matawan is the next town over,i've been here for over 20 years,1 kid graduated matawan and i have one more to go in the high school,school is very good here. good luck.

[The Jersey Kid]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

And from Highlands, you can take the high speed ferry to the city. It's about an hour.

I agree with tommy_c about Highlands. It is a rather unique area with a great setting --(the Atlantic meets Raritan Bay)--Great ferry commute to NYC, nice bars/restaurants/cafes there & in adjoining Atlantic Highlands, the 'beginning' of the Jersey Shore, yet--if you look at a map, it is kind of a 'contained area' unique, but so close that you can see the NYC skyline on a clear day.

PS: Tommy--is your boat docked on the Jersey City waterfront? I have been doing a bit of exploring of historic JC & the waterfront/Newport areas. What a great renewal of sorts!