Bruce Springsteen's hometown is friendly to commuters and small businesses
From traces of Bruce Springsteen to battles with the British, there’s a mix of history and pop culture in Freehold. Nearly 13,000 people live in this commuter-friendly borough that’s less than 50 miles from New York City. But there’s plenty to explore in the immediate surroundings: the borough is one of New Jersey’s many “donut hole” cities that are surrounded by larger townships of the same name. “Freehold Borough is less than 2 square miles and is truly known for its sense of diversity and community,” says Melissa DeSantis, broker associate of the Freehold Real Broker Branch Office in Monmouth County. “Freehold Township, on the other hand, is much larger.”
Retail activity supports the local economy, which is especially important as manufacturers close shop. “The long-term story of Freehold is the loss of industry,” says Freehold Public Library Director Kathy Mulholland. “We used to have a very large rug mill that was decommissioned. We used to have the Nestle factory.” But there are efforts to generate a comeback. A master plan adopted in 2019 wants to turn downtown into a transit village anchored by the Freehold Center Bus Station. Already on the classically named Main Street there are various small businesses. Plus, Freehold became one of a handful of New Jersey municipalities to authorize the sale of cannabis in 2021.
Freehold is known for being the regional commercial hub for Monmouth County.
Come shop at the many stores that are located off of Main St. in Freehold.
Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a popular place for locals to walk dogs in Manalpan, NJ.
Many historic buildings have been restored and repurposed in Freehold.
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Classic suburban styles, but also large Victorians and modern traditionals
Housing in Freehold is classic suburban, with yards and trees being part of the experience. Homes tend to be pushed back on lots, with many front doors are reached after walking a paved strip. Styles also feel like a collection of suburban greatest hits: bungalows, midcentury ranch-style homes and colonial-influenced styles range from $380,000 to $750,000. Freehold is also known for its ornate Victorian homes, which range from $750,000 to $1 million. But if homebuyers want a more contemporary look, custom brick modern traditionals are available, too – but they tend to be the biggest and most expensive styles in Freehold, with more than 3,500 square feet and price tages of $1.4 million to $1.6 million.
Rows of colonial homes on quiet streets are common in Freehold.
In Freehold Borough, you can find cute cape cod style homes.
Large historic tudor homes dot the landscape in Freehold.
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Freehold Borough High earns an A-minus
The Freehold Borough School District gets a C-plus from Niche. Freehold Borough High School gets an A-minus and pulls from surrounding townships including Colts Neck and Howell. There’s also the Freehold Public Library on Main Street, one of the state's 36 Carnegie-funded libraries.
Freehold Borough High School provides a public education.
The Freehold Library is a quiet place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle.
Freehold Township High School is another option for students in Freehold.
Aerial view of C. Richard Applegate Elementary School.
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Parks with atheltic facilities and seaside destinations within driving distance
Public green spaces are spread across the city, and while they might be simple in design, they offer plenty of room to roam. Liberty Park is one of those: a walking path dotted with exercise stations is wrapped around a basketball court and ballfield. But the Jersey Shore is often chosen for outdoor recreation opportunities, given how close it is. “Living here in Freehold, you are so close to some of the most beautiful beaches. Within 20 to 25 minutes, you can hop in your car and be at Belmar, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove and Asbury Park,” says DeSantis.
“Sandy Hook Beach is popular during the summer,” says Alex Farlow, a real estate salesperson with Compass New Jersey. “That’s a national park, too. You can see Coney Island from the beach.”
Monmouth Battlefield State Park offers visitors many hiking options in Manalpan, NJ.
There are boat rentals available at Lake Topanemus.
Grab a friend and go for a walk at Veterans Memorial Park in Stonehurst NJ.
Pond Road and Lake Topanemus in East Freehold is a beautiful place to get some fresh air.
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Enduring hangouts on Main Street, like Roberto's
Main Street is the place to go for a taste of Freehold’s downhome sensibilities. Residents will find enduring hangouts like Roberto’s, an old-school diner that’s one of Springsteen’s favorites. “Some towns have a lot of antique stores, but Freehold is in the midst of having a lot of good restaurants,” says Mulholland. Jersey Freeze, open since 1952, feeds cravings for Americana, too, with French fries and ice cream served from a retro building. Federici’s is a century-old restaurant famous for its thin crust pizza. For a bigger, modern shopping experience, there’s Freehold Raceway Mall, which is the third largest mall in the state.
Downtown Freehold has a vibrant food scene.
Roberto's Diner in Freehold is a favorite of Bruce Springstein.
Jersey Freeze is the most popular ice cream place in the area.
Nearby Freehold Raceway Mall serves as your one stop shop for retail outlets.
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Festivals and events throughout the year
Many events fill out the calendar year, including the re-enacted Battle of Monmouth every June at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The downtown farmers market also starts in June, occurring each Friday until the end of October. Holidays are always cause for celebration, too. “Freehold is the place to be for the Memorial Day Parade,” says Mulholland. “We also have a Halloween children’s parade and scarecrow contests.” October also brings the two-day Flavor of Freehold festival, where foodies embark on a restaurant tour. Summertime is for the Jazz & Blues Sunday Series at the downtown gazebo, and Porch Fest has musicians playing on neighborhood porches in the spring. Sea Here Now is one of the biggest East Coast music festivals held every September, featuring major names like Drake, Fall Out Boy and some local names besides Springsteen that residents have likely heard of. “Jon Bon Jovi had a mansion nearby in Rumson,” says Brett Sikora, CEO of The Sikora Group, about the musician.
Freehold farmers market is the place to be on Friday's in Freehold.
There are plenty of rides for your thrill enjoyment at the Monmouth County Fair.
The Monmouth County 4-H club explains horse grooming at the Monmouth County Fair.
Take a family picture in the illuminated stagecoach at the LuminoCity Festival.
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Commuting to Manhattan by car and bus
Commuters have a couple of options for traveling to Manhattan. “Driving is going to take you roughly 60 to 75 minutes, depending on where you live,” says DeSantis, describing the popular path of U.S. Route 9 to the Garden State Parkway. “Many residents opt to take the bus,” she adds. The 139 bus goes from the transit center downtown to the Port Authority in Manhattan. Two airports are less than 40 miles away: the Trenton-Mercer Airport and Newark Liberty International.
Crime trending downward
Freehold Borough police reported 156 total criminal offenses in 2022, marking a modest but steady decline compared to the previous two years. Numbers for auto thefts have been low, and that bodes well in comparison to numbers released by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in spring 2024, which showed auto thefts up countywide in the 2020s.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Video By
Becky Gaskill
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Diane Traverso,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Freehold, NJ sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Freehold, NJ over the last 12 months is $560,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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