Downe Township, NJ Home for Rent

Downe Township, NJ, established in 1748, is known as "Nature Lover’s Paradise" due to its extensive wetlands, sandy bay shores, and forested areas. The township comprises three villages: Dividing Creek, Newport, and Fortescue, each offering unique outdoor activities such as birdwatching, fishing, and boating. Fortescue, a fishing village, attracts tourists with its B&Bs and boat rentals, while Dividing Creek is suburban and ideal for crabbing. Newport is more rural, featuring farm life. The area is home to several wildlife management areas and beaches, including Fortescue Beach and the Edward G. Bevan Fish and Wildlife Management Area, popular for hiking and spotting wildlife like osprey and bald eagles. A new township-owned park in Dividing Creek is set to open by Christmas 2024. Housing styles vary from three-bedroom bayfront homes in Fortescue to Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Victorian-style homes in Newport and Dividing Creek. Flooding is a concern, particularly in Fortescue and Gandy’s Beach, necessitating flood insurance for homeowners with mortgages. The crime rate in Downe Township is lower than the national average. Community events include the annual Horseshoe Crab Festival, Halloween and Christmas decorating contests, and garden scape competitions. Dining options feature seafood at The Charlesworth Hotel & Restaurant in Fortescue and The Red Eyed Crab in Dividing Creek. Residents often travel to Millville, 12 miles north, for shopping and additional amenities. The township's elementary and high schools have average ratings, with options for school choice programs in nearby areas.