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This post is for a friend who may have a job lined-up in Lakewood for the fall and will be looking to move from Western Morris County. Budget will likely be 1200-1500, wouldn't mind going lower, probably couldn't go higher. He'd be commuting 5 days a week, early end of rush hour (it's a teaching job, so would need to be in by 7:30 and headed home before 4 most days). Keeping the commute to about 45 minutes would be ideal, less if better, but understandably difficult in this state. He's late 20s and unmarried, so some chance of a social life might be nice, but he's not necessarily the bar-hopping type (I don't think there's much of that sort of thing in the area anyways, aside from the summer months). He wouldn't really care about walkable-downtowns or charming streets (though if there's somewhere that would provide that it might be nice). Since family and friends are in northwest NJ, he doesn't want to be much further south than Lakewood, unless there's a really great town.
Glancing at the map Lakewood seems like a hike from towns I'm familiar with like, Red Bank, Belmar, or Asbury Park; I really don't know much about Toms River, Brick, Wall, or Jackson, beyond what's readily googleable or wikiable.
Out of the towns you listed, Wall might be a good choice. Its about 20-25 minutes commute to Lakewood. But also decently close to Asbury Park nightlife, and the beach towns of Belmar and Spring Lake. Wall doesn't really have a "downtown" area though.
If he wants to live in a beach town, he should be able to find apartments in Belmar or Bradley Beach for that range (both have nice downtowns), and could probably still get to Lakewood in under 30 minutes.
Brick or Toms River would be OK choices as well, but then you would mostly likely be going to Pt. Pleasant and Seaside Heights for beaches and/or nightlife.
Jackson is more inland and a bit more isolated. A nice area, but there likely isn't as much to do for a guy in his 20's when compared to the shore towns.
Last edited by TheDarkHorse; 06-16-2016 at 12:25 PM..
I would recommend Asbury. Big gay community, yes, and also very unsafe in certain areas, but it's on the rise and has been for a few years now. It has a really trendy downtown and boardwalk area with good restaurants and bars. It has a really nice culture, especially in the nicer months. I have family living in a nearby town and they frequent Asbury all year round for its restaurants. It's decently busy even in the off-season. It's a fun beach town, I'm a big fan.
Personally I think he would be crazy to make a 45 minute commute to Lakewood only because there are very reasonably priced rentals available close by in decent areas. Brick and Toms River have some good options and he would be close to the beach and close to work. There are sports leagues and various things to get involved in because both are very big towns. Wall and Jackson are also both close and offer similar. It is possible to find year round rentals at the beach if he's interested in that but again, I would look closer to Lakewood like Pt. Pleasant, rather than further away (but then, I commute over an hour so I can't imagine choosing to do it if you don't have to).
Were it me I'd opt for Asbury park too, but it's good to know he can find something close and affordable close by and still be decently close to activities.
Any thoughts on the Freehold area? I ask because I might have a job in New Brunswick lined up and we'd like to split an apartment, but Freehold looks like the only mutually commutable place.
Were it me I'd opt for Asbury park too, but it's good to know he can find something close and affordable close by and still be decently close to activities.
Any thoughts on the Freehold area? I ask because I might have a job in New Brunswick lined up and we'd like to split an apartment, but Freehold looks like the only mutually commutable place.
The one good thing about Freehold, Asbury Park, Redbank, he would be going against traffic in morning and afternoon.Most AM traffic is heading North and most PM traffic is heading south.
Just don't live in Lakewood itself.
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