Buying in Asbury Park (Ocean Grove, Deal: condos, crime, townhouses)

[Aporbust]

I am considering buying a second home in Asbury Park on the east side. We are a family of four with two teenage girls. We want to spend many weeks in the summer in our home there. I know the poverty and crime are still quite high, but I also see signs that AP could really return to it's glory days in the next several years.

I live in CT so can't spend time there regularly checking the scene out. Any advice about investing in a summer place in AP?

[captne76]

There is an online chat group in Yahoo Groups that covers Asbury Park. You might get good insight from people there.

[beachrunner]

If I were buying in Asbury Park, I would look at the Condos towards the Asbury Park/Ocean Grove border near Cookman. From driving though/riding my bike, I believe the areas between Sunset Lake and Deal Lake are nicer (there are still some trouble spots though). I know a few people who live/rent on Deal Lake on the West side of town and enjoy it.

Developers are trying to get approval of townhouses to be built on the North end (which is currently home to the fishermans beach area).

[PDD]

Originally Posted by Aporbust

I am considering buying a second home in Asbury Park on the east side. We are a family of four with two teenage girls. We want to spend many weeks in the summer in our home there. I know the poverty and crime are still quite high, but I also see signs that AP could really return to it's glory days in the next several years.

I live in CT so can't spend time there regularly checking the scene out. Any advice about investing in a summer place in AP?

Good for you in wanting to invest in AP. The naysayers argue that AP will never come back to what it once was and they are right as long as people stay away it will never come back.
All it takes is for smart people like yourselves to realize that they are not making anymore beachfront property so this is your opportunity to own some.

Someday AP will be as vibrant as it once was and it will be out of reach of most people. The naysayers will complain that they could have bought way back when it was cheaper.

It could take another 50 years to come back and for most that is too long but there is no reason you can't enjoy the AP beach right away.

[suzsaz]

You may want to contact Sotheby's Realty...and ask for "Cynthia M." she is a great realtor in the area, lives in the area and knows it very well.