Brigantine is a cozy island town close to bustling Atlantic City
Brigantine, known locally as The Island, is a small barrier island city just northeast of Atlantic City. With a permanent population under 8,000—the number rises in the summer—it offers a much quieter alternative to its more famous neighbor. The Brigantine Bridge connects the town to Atlantic City and is the only roadway on or off the island. “What I love about Brigantine is there’s only one way to get there, so there’s no through traffic,” says Emily Marchese, owner of Marchese Real Estate, who has lived in the area for 23 years. “Virtually all the people there are people who live there. The beaches can get a little crowded in the summer, but really, there’s so much beach to go around that it’s usually easy to find a peaceful spot.
Everything from comfy condos to palatial beach houses
Brigantine’s housing stock is a mix of year-round homes and vacation properties along the bayside and oceanfront. The city has been a coastal destination for over a century, and housing styles run the gamut from early 20th-century bungalows to midcentury duplexes to modern condos and luxury beach houses. Prices can vary significantly as well, depending on the age and size of a property and its proximity to the beach. Condos can go for anywhere from just under $200,000 for an inland 1-bed 1-bath to $800,000 for a modern penthouse overlooking the water. Traditional inland single-family homes usually sell for $450,000 to $900,000, while the palatial modern beach houses found across the island can list for anywhere from $1.3 million to $6 million. These beach houses often feature three or more stories and a variety of luxury amenities like private pools and sprawling patios and balconies. The city has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4 out of 10. As with any barrier island city, flooding and hurricanes can be an issue during certain seasons.
A beach-centric lifestyle
Brigantine’s beaches and natural areas are its main attractions. The city maintains boardwalks along many local beaches, along with a two-story birdwatching tower on the north side. It’s the only beach in the area that allows cars, which makes it easy to get to the mile and a half of beach that extends north of the city. Even more remote beaches on Pullen Island can be accessed by boat. To the west, on the other side of these beaches, is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which is made up of tens of thousands of acres of salt marsh along Brigantine’s back bays. A more manicured outdoor experience can be found at the Brigantine Golf Links, a public course at the north end offering an 18-hole links-style layout. “I think it’s the only barrier island with a golf course,” says Marchese. “That's a big deal to a lot of people. People will choose Brigantine over other beach towns because they can get everything they want in one place: the beach, the ocean and the golf course.”
Brigantine Boulevard is a quaint commercial corridor
Shopping and dining in Brigantine are concentrated in two areas. A shopping center on Brigantine Boulevard near the bridge houses the island’s only grocery store, ACME Markets, along with a selection of local shops. About a mile up the road, a small walkable downtown area is home to boutiques and restaurants, as well as the local bike shop. These areas are also home to most of Brigantine’s dining options, but restaurants can be found on other parts of the island as well, including along the beach. Pirates Den is a popular breakfast spot on the north side of town. Additional shopping and dining can be found in Atlantic City, but it’s a bit of a drive to the nearest big box stores — Walmart, Home Depot and others— which are located 12 miles inland in Pleasantville and Egg Harbor Township.
Brigantine Community School
Brigantine Public Schools operates a single combined elementary and middle school on the island, Brigantine Community School, which has a B-minus grade on Niche. Older students attend Atlantic City High School, about 10 miles south, which also has a B-minus. Atlantic City High’s most notable feature might be its location. The school is one of only three buildings on the relatively small Great Island, which is connected to the mainland by state Route 40. It shares the island with the Atlantic City Public Works Complex and a small gas station.
Cherry Blossom Week
The city celebrates Cherry Blossom Week every April when the island’s cherry trees bloom; the event features a charity 5K run and local shop promotions.
Brigantine Bridge connects the island to the mainland
The only roadway in and out is state Route 87 and the Brigantine Bridge. On the island, Brigantine Boulevard and Brigantine Avenue are the main arteries. Traffic can back up on summer weekends at the bridge, but interior streets remain quiet aside from local traffic. It’s a little over 5 miles from the island to the Atlantic City train station, and around 12 miles to Atlantic City International Airport.
Pamela "Pam" Kotter is a seasoned real estate professional with over 36 years of experience, currently serving as the Broker - Sales Manager and Vice President at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. FOXROACH.COM
Pam began her career in 1988, focusing on residential properties in the Gloucester and Salem County markets. After 15 years of successful full-time sales, she transitioned into management, including a three-year tenure as a part-owner of a real estate office. FOXROACH.COM
Throughout her career, Pam has been actively involved in the Gloucester/Salem County Board of Realtors, serving as its President in 2012 and 2013. She continues to contribute as an active board member, participates in the education committee, and instructs Board Orientation sessions. FOXROACH.COM
Pam's leadership and dedication have been recognized with several accolades, including Manager of the Year for Coldwell Banker Elite in 2004 and for BHHS Fox and Roach Realtors in 2018. FOXROACH.COM
In addition to her managerial role, Pam maintains an active presence in real estate transactions. Over the past 12 months, she has been involved in 15 sales, with transaction prices ranging from $12,000 to $1.8 million, averaging around $329,000. ZILLOW.COM
Pam's extensive experience, industry involvement, and commitment to excellence have established her as a respected leader in the New Jersey real estate community.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
