Thoughts on Highlands, NJ..?

[Socraphina]

Well we are looking for a new home and can't afford anything newer in AH. That's why we are considering Highlands. We are looking at new homes constructured raised. Our budget is around 415k.

[Metsfan53]

new construction will be tough- any of the "nice" towns will be way more than 400K. Are you married to new construction? If not you can open up a good number of "nicer" towns on that budget...again we can debate what nice means and I'm sure the usual posters here will swoop in to do just that, but going by conventional definitions, places like Tinton Falls, Oceanport, Middletown, heck in Shrewsbury can open up.

[Socraphina]

Yes we have looked there but we don't want a suburb feel. We really prefer something walkable and my husband grew up in a shore town and wants to be near the beach still. The only other town that really has what we want would be As Uruguay or Red Bank but the nice areas are too pricey there.

[Socraphina]

Sorry Asbury*

[GSPBlues]

Originally Posted by Socraphina

Well we are looking for a new home and can't afford anything newer in AH. That's why we are considering Highlands. We are looking at new homes constructured raised. Our budget is around 415k.

I wouldn't get in for anything close to $400K unless it's elevated, or you're prepared to spend the money to elevate and get flood vents. Otherwise you'll be playing flood insurance prices close to a second property tax.

Highlands definitely has a small-town feel and is probably best positioned of the Bayshore communities to make a comeback (excepting AH, maybe Keyport). The best advice I've heard about Highlands is that if you're ever driving through and neighbors come out into the street to talk to each other- never, ever honk in impatience. Just wait for folks to finish talking.

[Socraphina]

Ok thanks. Yes we are looking at elevated homes. We can go up to like 430 or so, so we have some wiggle room.