Living in Howell... Where to move in Monmouth Cty??? (Long Branch: real estate, house)

[valvalg]

We've been in howell for almost 3 years and want to move. We actually want to downsize house a bit. Howell is okay but not really loving it. We live in Northern Howell I guess- close to freehold/farmingdale.
Our kids are 3 and 1.

We're looking all over now just trying to drive around, do some research, etc. Looking to spend around $525,000.

Here are the areas...

Freehold Township
Manalapan
Marlboro- not so much
Colts Neck- kind of expensive

Jackson- heard schools aren't good. A little out of the way... Can get a LOT of house though! (It's Ocean County)
Howell- not so much- but possible

Ocean Township - How are the schools??? Neighborhood looked very nice. What's the demographic?
Eatontown- same questions as with Ocean...
Tinton Falls- Is it nice? Schools?

Shrewsbury- Love the next 4, but are more pricey. Since we're downsizing we may be able to find something though that's affordable.
Middletown
Lincroft (part of Middletown)
Red Bank- Really love RB, but are not sure about the area for families, schools, safety??? I know the HS is good and is in Fair Haven.

Is the Freehold Regional school district better than the Middletown districts? I know there are 6 in the FRHSD. Which are best?
Also, since my kids won't be in high school for quite awhile I am slightly more interested in the elementary/middle schools.

For example, which has the best elem/middle schools? Freehold Twp, Manalapan, Lincroft/Middletown???

We would like to stay "closer" to the beach I think... In a very neighborhood-like place. In Howell we're on a country road and not great for kids. Thanks a million! My head has been spinning!

[FBone]

I live in Long Branch and am familiar with eastern Monmouth County. I lived and went to school in Ocean Twp. However, I dont have children so am not knowledgeable about other towns school systems other than what people tell me.
Besides the 4 you like, also look into Oceanport and possibly Fair Haven.
If you have a specific question about a town in eastern Monmouth, please ask and I'll do my best to answer.

[valvalg]

Originally Posted by FBone

I lived and went to school in Ocean Twp. However, I dont have children so am not knowledgeable about other towns school systems other than what people tell me.
Besides the 4 you like, also look into Oceanport and possibly Fair Haven.
If you have a specific question about a town in eastern Monmouth, please ask and I'll do my best to answer.

How is Ocean Township? What's the demographic? Is it a safe, quiet place? How about the school atmosphere? Fair haven seems quite expensive.
What do you know about Oceanport? : ) Thanks!

[clevedark]

Red Bank HS is in Red Bank. Fair Haven shares a high school with Rumson. I drive past the Red Bank HS all the time, and it seems like it's in Fair Haven, but it couldn't possibly be.

[valvalg]

Sorry, it's Little Silver

[FBone]

When I went to school Ocean Twp was mostly white and Jewish. The Jews value a good education and were active in school affairs so I would say the education was good but keep in mind this was 25 years ago. School budgets were approved and we had new textbooks and schools updated. Now with several affordable housing complexes in town the demographics are very diversified and I dont know what's the current quality. Sorry.
Oceanport has that small town feel. Students attend Shore Regional HS. The peninsula with Native American streets is a nice quiet neighborhood. The town is very close to the beach, 10 minutes to the Monmouth Mall and Red Bank. I dont know what home prices are currently but there are many modest 4-bed homes.
I said Fair Haven because it also has that small town feel plus kids attend Rumson HS which has an excellent reputation. It's next door to Red Bank which you liked and also close to the beach. But dont know the real estate prices.
As for safety, I'd count Oceanport and Fair Haven as very safe. Ocean less so.

[mmakov]

With young kids, you would love Fair Haven, Shrewsbury, Little Silver. I live in FH.
Excellent preschools and schools (kids walk or ride their bikes, since the town is only about one square mile.) Lots of family things to do, safe, 5 minutes to the beach.
I'm a realtor here, and would be happy to answer any questions or show you around the area if you would like! Marcia Makoviecki, Weichert

[valvalg]

Originally Posted by mmakov

With young kids, you would love Fair Haven, Shrewsbury, Little Silver. I live in FH.
Excellent preschools and schools (kids walk or ride their bikes, since the town is only about one square mile.) Lots of family things to do, safe, 5 minutes to the beach.
I'm a realtor here, and would be happy to answer any questions or show you around the area if you would like! Marcia Makoviecki, Weichert

How do Fair Haven and Little Silver differ? Do they have downtown areas?
Is one more pricey than the other? Am I right that FH teens go to Rumson HS and Little Silver is RB Regional?

[VeradoDan]

It seems like Lincroft (section of Middletown) would be right up your alley. The Middletown schools are generally very good as well, and I believe the ones your children would go to in the Lincroft section are among the best in town.

[valvalg]

Originally Posted by VeradoDan

It seems like Lincroft (section of Middletown) would be right up your alley. The Middletown schools are generally very good as well, and I believe the ones your children would go to in the Lincroft section are among the best in town.

Having trouble finding affordable home there, but I think it would be great.
$475-$525,000 range.