Bradley Beach

A historic popular summer hideaway for New Yorkers — especially for Little Italy and Chinatown residents —  looking to escape the city, to this day, Bradley Beach remains a tranquil destination for summer beachgoers and year-round residents. While this Monmouth County borough certainly expands its population in the summer months, many residents call Bradley Beach home all year long. "The whole Jersey Shore has become more year-round than it used to be," says Laura Parios-McBride. "People appreciate the beauty whether it is summer or winter."

Live right across from the boardwalk or just minutes from the ocean in Bradley Beach. The borough's beautiful historic houses and apartments help bring summer renters back each year. At the same time, homeowners take pride in their piece of beachside paradise. "Some streets have absolutely beautiful, old large beach colonials," Parios-McBride says. "Also, after Hurricane Sandy, a lot of destroyed homes were purchased and rebuilt into new huge colonials." In Bradley Beach, while there's more than colonials, almost all feature front porches, a Jersey Shore necessity. Residences tend to cost between $750,000 and $3.2 million. Beach condos start around $400,000 and creep up to nearly $1 million. 

For families who live in Bradley Beach year-round, their children can attend Bradley Beach Elementary for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. This small school features a student-teacher ratio of 5 to 1. For high school, the majority of Bradley Beach students attend Asbury Park High School, while a handful attend Neptune High School. High schoolers have the opportunity to apply to one of the several magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District. Such schools include the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Biotechnology High School and Academy of Allied Health & Science. Bradley Beach high schoolers can be accepted to Academy Charter High School on a lottery basis. According to Niche, Academy Charter has earned an A in resources and facilities and an A minus in teachers and diversity. 

Residents can spend their days on the borough's sandy beaches. You can walk, bike and jog on the paved boardwalk that connects the various avenue beaches. All along the Oceane Avenue boardwalk, there's Bradley Beach Park, McCabe Avenue Beach, LaRiene Avenue Beach, Brinley Avenue Beach and Fourth Avenue Beach. Swimmers, surfers and fishermen flock to the ocean every summer. Right off the boardwalk, play mini golf with friends and family at Shipwreck Island with the sea as your backdrop. Riley Park, near the Bradley Beach train station, is a small green space where the community comes together for concerts, craft shows, flea markets and festivals. For indoor fun, score strike after strike at Bradley Beach Bowl. Or, check out beach reads from the Bradley Beach Public Library. In the past, librarians or volunteers have ridden bikes around town and on the boardwalk distributing books to residents.

Bradley Beach may be a quiet, quaint beach town, but its Main Street has plenty of local restaurants and shops that residents and summer visitors alike love. After a long day at the beach, feast on Italian comfort food at Marandola's. Then get a scoop or two from Beach Plum, conveniently located within walking distance to Marandola's. Beach Plum is also a popular post-beach stop, with many residents raving over their classic and special flavors. Some special flavors include sea salt caramel and blackberry-raspberry chip. On the flip side, you can start your days at The Buttered Biscuit Café with a latte and a biscuit.

Bradley Beach is named for James A. Bradley, the developer mastermind behind both Bradley Beach and Asbury Park. While Bradley Beach is 60 miles away from New York City, a train line in the borough brings residents directly to New York Penn Station. It's about 75 miles from Philadelphia, easily reached by bus or a drive down I-95. 

Whether you're a full-timer in Bradley Beach or a summer resident, this quaint beach town has a lot to offer.

Video By

Antoine Allen