Nice towns near the jersey shore (Point Pleasant, Ocean City: low crime, house, school district)

[sarahw]

Any ideas on where I should start my search? I'm looking for a nice, safe town, close to the shore with good schools (all ages), where we can pick up a 3 to 4 bed house for around $500K (ish). I heard Wall was a good area so I've been looking on the internet there. Any other places I should be looking?
Thanks

[imoapie]

Sarah, I am a product of wall hs (class of 2000) and my parents still live there. The schools were good and only got better after I left, there was a major renovation of the schools right around that time with state of the art facilities. Wall is safe but also very spread out, no downtown area, lots of land etc. I think you would be able to find something in your budget there. Check into Manasquan also, comparable schools, nice town, more of a downtown etc.

[hrjersey]

I've heard Point Pleasant has a very good school system. It is a shore town. I have some friends that grew up their and are looking to move back now that they have kids.

[sarahw]

Originally Posted by imoapie

Sarah, I am a product of wall hs (class of 2000) and my parents still live there. The schools were good and only got better after I left, there was a major renovation of the schools right around that time with state of the art facilities. Wall is safe but also very spread out, no downtown area, lots of land etc. I think you would be able to find something in your budget there. Check into Manasquan also, comparable schools, nice town, more of a downtown etc.

I went to Manasquan a year or two ago and liked what I saw but was only there a day. I don't know anything about Wall but did some camping at Allaire state park and thought the whole area looked nice. I do like the idea of a nice downtown and I think anything within about 10 to 30 mins of a nice beach would be awesome. At the moment I'm in Hunterdon county, great schools, beautiful area but very pricey.

[JerseytoHawaii]

I grew up in Point Pleasant for 15 years. I highly recommend it. I still go back every summer to visit my friends and family. Theres very very low crime and an awesome school district. I love just getting on my bike and driving down to the beach, its only about a 10-15 min bike ride over.... I miss it more and more everyday

[Giantone]

Colts Neck,Wall,Avon.Sea Girt,Belmar,Spring Lake,Red Bank ,Rumson,Middletown,Point Pleasent....Beach and town,Manasquan,Holmdel,Tinton Falls........sorry if I missed anyone.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by sarahw

I went to Manasquan a year or two ago and liked what I saw but was only there a day. I don't know anything about Wall but did some camping at Allaire state park and thought the whole area looked nice. I do like the idea of a nice downtown and I think anything within about 10 to 30 mins of a nice beach would be awesome. At the moment I'm in Hunterdon county, great schools, beautiful area but very pricey.

30 minutes to the beach is almost all of Monmouth County except for Upper Freehold, Millstone and Manalapan.

[kungfulou]

my family lives in Point Pleasant and after 30+ years, they hate it.

[SweepTheLeg]

How about some areas of Jackson?


EDIT: Saw 500K. Forget Jackson, go with what's above.

[jersgrl1969]

As someone born and raised at "the shore" (which is to me anywhere from Ocean City on down) I'd have to recommend Cape May, Lower/Middle/Upper Townships, and Dennisville-all nice areas with good schools.