South Toms River??? (Beachwood, Lakehurst, Pine Beach: crime, house, neighborhood)

[jacsmora]

My husband just looked at a home in South Toms River, NJ that we're interested in buying. However, we heard that not too long ago South Toms River was not a good area. Supposedly, they've since cleaned it up and it's now an up and coming area.

The home has a lot of potential. And supposedly South Toms River Elementary is a great school.

We currently live in NYC and are living beyond are means. We're looking for something affordable but don't really know anything about Jersey.

Can anyone tell us anything about South Toms River, NJ??? Is it worth the move??

[NJ K]

"Not a good area" is pretty general, and I'm not aware if that was referencing schools, crime, attitudes of the residents, etc. But what I DO know about Toms River is that it had the highest cancer rate in the nation at one point. They figured out that some company was tainting the groundwater with a carcinogenic chemical that caused birth defects and childhood leukemia, if I remember correctly.

If that problem has been rectified, I don't think there were any other contributing factors to the cancer rate jump. I'd check out RECENT stats for cancer diagnoses to be sure...

[tsangia]

Toms River is a very nice area, North seems to be more desirable than south.

[abejita]

Originally Posted by NJ K

"Not a good area" is pretty general, and I'm not aware if that was referencing schools, crime, attitudes of the residents, etc. But what I DO know about Toms River is that it had the highest cancer rate in the nation at one point. They figured out that some company was tainting the groundwater with a carcinogenic chemical that caused birth defects and childhood leukemia, if I remember correctly.

If that problem has been rectified, I don't think there were any other contributing factors to the cancer rate jump. I'd check out RECENT stats for cancer diagnoses to be sure...

Yes, the Tom's River case was the basis for that movie A Civil Action, starring John Travolta. And maybe things have changed, but that is always the first thing I think of when I hear Tom's River. :?

[berryjuice4life]

Originally Posted by jacsmora

My husband just looked at a home in South Toms River, NJ that we're interested in buying. However, we heard that not too long ago South Toms River was not a good area. Supposedly, they've since cleaned it up and it's now an up and coming area.

The home has a lot of potential. And supposedly South Toms River Elementary is a great school.

We currently live in NYC and are living beyond are means. We're looking for something affordable but don't really know anything about Jersey.

Can anyone tell us anything about South Toms River, NJ??? Is it worth the move??

I am a realtor for ocean and monmouth county and I can tell you your better off staying in North Toms River....Schools are excellent....

[Radiojoe315]

In my humble opinion, SCHOOL Wise Toms River South is the better school. North has had a bigger drug problem, however, thats because they have more students. Not to say Toms River South (OR ANY HS doesnt have that problem). I just think for the number of students your child gets a better education in Toms River South. My parents are graduates of North, and I went through South and Both agree South is the better school now. (South Toms River isnt the ONLY neighborhood that feeds into TRS either, parts of TR such as areas off of Lakehurst Rd., Beachwood, Pine Beach, Among other sections of TR).

Just my opinion.

[min2mem]

I lived in South Toms River up until 12 years ago. When we moved in 10 years prior the area was bad but cleaning up quite a bit, it was becoming a nice little town. Since moving away I've driven through several times, it looks like it's gone back to what it was if not worse than when we moved there. The house that we had put so much into had been totally neglected as with others. STR Elementary was an excellent school when my children attended it, but the principal that ran it has since left so I don't know how it's become. At this point I would definately recommend other parts of Toms River than South.

[ddavid171981]

South Toms River is a good area to grow up in, there's not alot of crime nowadays.

[mead]

If you consider Leukemia clusters a good time, then Toms River is the place for you!

I honestly dont' know whats worse, the possibilty of getting leukemia from the polluted water or the Chernobyl-in-the-making Nuclear Power plant that lies south of the town. Oldest Nuclear power plant in the country. Corzine has vowed to shut the thing down in a couple of years though.

[JerziShore]

Originally Posted by mead

If you consider Leukemia clusters a good time, then Toms River is the place for you!

I honestly dont' know whats worse, the possibilty of getting leukemia from the polluted water or the Chernobyl-in-the-making Nuclear Power plant that lies south of the town. Oldest Nuclear power plant in the country. Corzine has vowed to shut the thing down in a couple of years though.

You are a left wing environmentalist nut job!