Cliffwood

Within Aberdeen Township, the neighborhoods of Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach, separated by Route 35, provide homeowners with some of New Jersey’s greatest benefits. From an easy commute to North Jersey or New York, suburban tranquility, and immediate proximity to the beach, all is covered by median home prices competitive by Monmouth County standards.

Cliffwood Beach originated as a beachside resort community in the 1920s, its streets lined with summer bungalows and the beachfront augmented with a boardwalk, restaurants, and even a saltwater swimming pool. A 1955 hurricane brought an end to old Cliffwood Beach, and, for many years, this town’s popular boardwalk faded from memory. However, Cliffwood Beach began to experience a revival in the late 2010s as the “Aberdeen Sea Walk” was unveiled to allow locals and visitors alike to walk along the Raritan Bay waterfront and observe the scenery of the ocean and the New York views. The Veterans Memorial Park, also recently opened, has brought new life to the oceanfront, with a pirate ship-themed jungle gym, splash pads for children, and firework displays put on by emergency services to commemorate the Fourth of July.

On the land side of this seawall, and beyond, lays a booming suburban community. Cliffwood Beach’s housing options consist mostly of bungalows and ranch-style homes, with the occasional larger colonial. Meanwhile, Cliffwood southwest of Route 35 includes a plethora of colonial homes and side streets lined with colonial-themed bungalows. The median home prices vary accordingly: Cliffwood Beach has a median of $375,000, while Cliffwood’s is $400,000, both well under the county median of $600,000. Realtor Karen Rucando of Mid-State Realty says that Cliffwood is a “desirable location to call home,” reflecting both the competitive home prices and its local attractions.

These attractions include the Cliffwood Beach Waterfront Park and the beach itself, which – while not yet fully developed into one of the Jersey Shore’s main features – offers residents a quieter alternative to the bustling beaches near Sea Bright. Rucando says that families can also “enjoy time exploring the peaceful, amazing wildlife at the Henry Hudson Trail and Cheesequake State Park.” The Henry Hudson Trail enables bikers to travel the length of the Raritan Bayshore along a former railroad track, while Cheesequake State Park, with its boardwalks and camping areas, makes for immersive outdoor adventures within 1,600 acres of preserved nature.

Cliffwood is primarily a residential community, but a handful of restaurants can be found along Route 35. Joe’s Bagel and Grill specializes in both freshly baked bagels and sandwiches such as pork roll-egg-and-cheese on French toast and Italian subs for an easy to-go meal for commutes and relaxed meals alike. Tony’s Pizza & Restaurant, just down the highway, serves New York and Sicilian-style pizzas, providing Cliffwood’s residents with a classic New Jersey staple – the cherished local pizza place.

Cliffwood residents have unparalleled access to major transportation routes, from the shore-hugging Routes 35 and 36 to the major Garden State Parkway, and the nearby NJ Transit train station of Aberdeen-Matawan. NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line provides service to New York City’s Penn Station for a journey of slightly over an hour, while drivers can expect an hour-long drive into the city. For those looking to explore some of the shore’s most popular beaches, Sandy Hook and Sea Bright sit 25 minutes down Route 36, making down-the-shore summer drives a quick adventure.

Written By

Jacob Adelhoch

Photography Contributed By

Steve Cuttler

Video By

Adam Barkley