A suburb with international influences and a strong business climate
Lakewood is a large, leafy suburb that stays lively thanks to a melting pot of cultural influences. Whether it’s the Latin Fest bringing a variety of musical styles, or expansion of the Beth Medrash Govoha campus – which is the largest yeshiva outside of Israel – there always seems to be movement in the city. Nearly coastal, Lakewood's location in New Jersey is east of beach communities like Brick Township and Manasquan, separated only by the Garden State Parkway. But moving inland, it borders the slightly rural exurb of Howell Township, which it remains connected to via bustling U.S. Route 9. “Around Howell could be considered a tri-state area. There’s a ton of retail along Route 9,” says Allie Farinhas, a Realtor with Re/Max. “And if you go towards the Jersey Shore, you can surf at Manasquan.” The city could be considered a commuter haven, too, since Manhattan is 70 miles north. Yet in a deeper sense, this is a rapidly growing municipality with plenty of appeal on its own.
Approximately 135,000 people live here, and surprisingly over 40,000 of those arrived between 2010 and 2020. Part of the appeal is the business-friendly climate. The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce grows local businesses, as well as establishments in Ocean County and Monmouth County. Economic strength is in the city’s DNA. The Bergen Iron Works provided a substantial employment base in the early 1800s. Today, the combined acreage of the city’s industrial parks – which support over 350 businesses – makes for one of the biggest municipal industrial complexes in the state.
Downtown Lakewood is a hive of activity.
There are a variety of local shops to visit in downtown Lakewood.
There are a number of community pools available for residents to relax in Leisure Village.
The Strand Theater is Ocean County's premiere entertainment venue.
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Housing is tailored to diverse lifestyles
Even though Lakewood is noted for having million-dollar properties, it offers a range of prices for homebuyers. “The town has everything you can think of, that’s what makes it stand out from other nearby places. It has more of a mixed demographic than your traditional suburb,” says Paula Santos, a Realtor with Solid Gold Realty. “If you want a house with a large property, we can find that. If you want a townhouse, we can find that. Are you over 55 and want a community? We can do that.” Other Realtors affirm that it’s possible to pursue different lifestyles in the city. “There are many adult communities in the Lakewood area such as Leisure Village,” says Mario Bottieri, a Realtor with RE/MAX Select, adding that the laidback atmosphere in general is an incentive. “A lot of people move to Lakewood for its peace and quiet.” Prices for one-bedroom and two-bedroom properties in these planned developments can range from $140,000 to $400,000. Outside of these retirement communities, homebuyers can find modern traditional-style houses, colonials and various ranch-style homes in the $500,000 to $900,000 range. Most of the million-dollar properties stand out for their stark Craftsman style, where mixed materials like stone and vinyl are featured on the facade.
Modern traditional-style homes are being built in certain areas of Lakewood.
Ranch style homes are a popular housing type in Lakewood.
Homes at Fairways at Lakeridge are a great place to spend your golden years in Lakewood.
Some larger colonial-style homes dot the streets in Lakewood.
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Georgian Court University brings higher education to the city
Students can begin at Spruce Street Elementary, which covers kindergarten through first grade and earns a B from Niche. Elementary education continues at Clifton Avenue Grade School, which gets a C-plus. Lakewood Middle receives a C rating. Lakewood High can claim many professional athletes as former students, as well as Mark Ecko, founder of the fashion brand Ecko Unlimited. The school gets a C-minus. For higher education, Georgian Court University is a private Roman Catholic institution. Monmouth Medical Center, 20 miles north, is one of the state’s largest academic medical centers. “It’s an amazing hospital,” says Santos.
Lakewood High School serves students in grades 9-12 in their community.
Lakewood Middle School in Lakewood.
Clifton Ave Grade School in Lakewood.
Spruce St Elementary School in Lakewood.
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Rugged scenery at Ocean County Park
Pine Park on the northwest side is more than just playgrounds and a few ballfields. There are campgrounds and picnic areas on this 150-acre site. Ocean County Park on the east side is equally popular as a gathering spot, due to its rugged scenery full of white pines and hemlock trees. “It’s a beautiful park,” says Santos. Kayaking is available on Lake Shenandoah in the park, and hikers have numerous trails to explore. Golfers can practice at the driving range, plus there are facilities for tennis and volleyball. Lakewood Country Club brings a touch of history to the area. Founded in 1896, the club offers an 18-hole course and a sports bar. Baseball fans can watch the Jersey Shore Blue Claws at Shore Town Ballpark, which accommodates over 6,500 fans. Plus, beyond Brick Township on the eastern border, there are more destinations up the coast. “You can go to Pier Village in Long Branch or Sandy Hook Bay,” says Farinhas, referring to a pair of locales roughly 30 miles north.
Ocean County Park in Lakewood is home to an 18 hole disc golf course.
Pine Park in Lakewood offers residents an array of activities such as baseball.
Lakewood residents flock to Lake Shenandoah for fishing and boating activities.
Pine Park in Lakewood has sports courts, playgrounds, and a golf course.
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Drivers can reach Manhattan in about an hour
U.S. Route 9 is one of the main thoroughfares of Lakewood, slicing down the middle and connecting it to surrounding townships. It’s also where a lot of growth is focused, and homebuyers should be conscious of that when accounting for traffic, say local Realtors. “They’re putting up a lot of townhouses where Route 9 meets Highway 70,” says Santos. “Adjacent to that is New Hampshire Avenue, and roads forking off there become residential. It backs up to the original Leisure Village subdivision, which separates Lakewood from Brick Township.” Commuters prefer to take the Garden Center Parkway to Manhattan. The 70-mile journey can be completed in about 90 minutes. The Lakewood Bus Terminal provides two NJ Transit bus lines to the Port Authority in New York City, but also links commuters to Newark, Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
The dining scene highlights Jersey specialties like pizza and bagels
Lakewood Plaza on the north side is a reliable hub for taking care of everyday errands. Shoppers can find kosher supermarkets and assorted small eateries. Further down U.S. Route 9, surrounding Strand Theater, is Pizza Plus and Bagel Nosh – offering some of New Jersey’s most popular dishes. In the far southeast corner, where the Garden State Parkway meets state Route 70, is a cluster of big-box stores. Home Depot and Costco are some of the household names available, leading shoppers further into Brick Township where other brands pop up, like Trader Joe’s.
Bagel Nosh in downtown Lakewood is famous for its kosher bagels.
Upper Crust in Lakewood is a Kosher brick oven pizza and pasta restaurant.
Small, locally owned cafe's are a popular dining option in Lakewood.
Evergreen Kosher Market in Lakewood has a butcher, bakery, fish, produce and more.
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Increased crime has prompted civic engagement
Lakewood police reported a 280% increase in crime from 2021 to 2022. Property crimes were the biggest driver of the increase. Ocean County residents rallied for more police support in 2024, after a rash of home break-ins. Police responded by adding more patrols during night hours.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Video By
Chris Norton
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christine Trabattoni,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Lakewood, NJ sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Lakewood, NJ over the last 12 months is $400,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This is a coming soon and cannot be shown until 7/19.Welcome to the Fairways at Lakewood - Exceptional 55+ Living!Located on a desirable corner lot in the sought-after Fairways at Lakewood active adult community, this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath home combines spacious living, thoughtful upgrades, and a vibrant lifestyle.From the moment you enter, you'll appreciate the
Carol WhitmoreColdwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Centrally located inside the elite Fairways at Lake Ridge community is this sought after Dartmouth model home with a LARGE ENCLOSED 3-season SUN PORCH (w/ gliding windows) OVERLOOKING A PRIVATE BACKYARD OASIS. Upgraded eat-in kitchen with custom cherry wood island and cabinetry & granite counter tops, s/s appl. Brazilian hardwood floors installed 2011, maintained gas FP, 2yr old HVAC, new W/D,
Beautifully upgraded home featuring an open-concept floor plan, situated on a cul-de-sac in the highly desirable Fairways at Lake Ridge. Just a short 5-minute walk to the clubhouse. This popular Montauk model, built in 2016, offers 2 bedrooms plus den/3rd bedroom, 9' ceilings & hardwood floors. Enjoy peaceful pond and fountain views from your private patio. The kitchen features quartz
Price Improvement! Welcome to easy, vibrant living in one of the area’s most sought-after 55+ active adult communities. Leisure Village offers a lifestyle centered around connection, recreation, relaxation, and convenience. Residents enjoy a beautifully maintained clubhouse, sparkling community pool, scenic lake, walking and biking paths, bocce courts, and even a private boat ramp for kayaking,
This lovely 2 bedroom Baronet Model end unit has been meticulously cared for and updated, offering the perfect maintenance-free opportunity. The home welcomes you with newer paint and carpeting and an inviting eat-in kitchen. Enjoy the convenience of a 1-car garage with direct access and additional storage area as well as the added bonus of an enclosed front porch, your new favorite spot for
Welcome to 1263B Hamilton Court -- a beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offered at $274,000 in the highly sought-after 55+ gated community of Leisure Village East. This move-in-ready residence offers comfortable one-level living with a thoughtfully designed layout and numerous recent upgrades throughout. Step inside to find updated bathrooms, newer windows, and stylish laminate flooring
Prime buildable lot offering over 14,000 square feet in the highly sought-after Albert neighborhood. Ready for development, this parcel provides an excellent opportunity to bring your plans and build to suit. Rare opportunity.
Welcome to the highly sought-after Four Seasons community in Lakewood! This popular Danbury model offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and the convenience of easy one-level living. Thoughtfully designed with a bright, open layout, this beautifully updated home features a spacious primary suite with a handicap-accessible en-suite bath, two additional bedrooms perfect for guests, a home office, or
Welcome to 68 Jean Street in the sought-after Lions Head Woods 55+ community in Lakewood! This spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers approximately 1,854 sq. ft. of comfortable single-level living with a bright, open layout. Enjoy generous living and dining spaces, a large eat-in kitchen, and a spacious primary suite with a private bath and ample closet space. Community amenities include a
Priced under market value for a quick sale! Come see this lovely 1-bed, 1-bath 55+ condo at Covington Village. This active-adult gem is perfectly located near Route 70 for easy access to shopping, dining, and the Garden State Parkway. Enjoy resort-style living with an incredible 12,000 sq. ft. clubhouse featuring a fitness center, sauna, day spa, movie theater, library, and billiards room. A
Move right in to this beautifully appointed condo in the highly desirable Covington Village active adult community. Located on the 2nd flr of a well maintained 3-story elevator bldg, this spacious 1 bedrm, 1.5 bath residence features 9 ft ceilings & an open, airy floor plan. The kitchen offers 42'' cabinetry, granite cntertops, breakfast bar, new appliances, hardwood floors throughout the LR, DR
LAKEWOOD!!!!!!!!SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UPDATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!This Gorgeous Lakewood Commons Home has everything you could want. Windows galore lets in loads of sunshine.living space is amazing dining room living room can accommodate family gatherings.The kitchen has granite counter tops Designer backsplash Tons of spotlights have also been addedbedrooms are great size
The Baronet you've been waiting for is finally on the market!This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home features a spacious open-concept layout that's perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The enclosed porch and a portion of the garage have been thoughtfully incorporated into the home's living space, while the remaining garage area has been transformed into the perfect home
Welcome to 48E Cambridge Ct in Leisure Village. This beautifully updated lakefront Andover model offers comfort, style, and convenience in a desirable community setting. The home features a newer kitchen with newer appliances, granite countertops, a drop-in sink, and classic shaker cabinetry. Additional highlights include newer vinyl flooring, fresh paint, and a newer washer and dryer, creating a
Coming April 2024! Elevate your lifestyle with the detailed luxury designed just for you at The Lofts at Ocean Park Village. Newly built from the ground up with your comfort in mind, our spacious 1 bedroom flats and 2 bedroom townhomes include every amenity you could wish for plus a little more.
Welcome to One of the Newest Communities in Ocean County! Comfort and luxury come together at Hampshire Crossing, a premier apartment community in Ocean County. We offer several floor plans with one or two bedrooms, highlighted by contemporary design and open floor plans. Hampshire Crossing redefines maintenance-free living with some of the best amenities in the local area and top-notch on-site
Crossroad Manor Apartments is a well maintained 264-unit community in beautiful and exciting Lakewood, New Jersey. Recently updated apartments offer private entrance, hardwood floors, spacious closets, 24-hour maintenance service, on site management office, as well as walking distance to shopping and public transportation. Lakewood is a family-friendly community with a lot to do, from its parks
Discover your new home at Pinewood Apartments, conveniently located at 1703 Lexington Ave in the desirable 08701 area of Lakewood. This welcoming community offers a comfortable living environment with thoughtfully designed apartment homes to suit your lifestyle. Enjoy easy access to local shopping, dining, and everyday conveniences, all just minutes from your doorstep.Our friendly and
Washington Square is Lakewood's prestigious apartment community. You will enjoy an elegant way of life at Washington Square with its perfect blend of luxury, space and convenience. Beautifully landscaped surroundings give your home a park-like setting. Our apartments boast many custom home features: 9-foot ceilings, crown moldings, wall sconces, granite, European tile, and more. The Garden State
Beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained, Amber Grove offers spacious and welcoming 2-bedroom units for rent in Lakewood, NJ. Our units feature all the important touches that make a house a home, including private balconies/patios, vinyl flooring, full-size in-unit washer/dryers, oversized closets, and large windows that will flood your apartment with sunlight. Right at the
Escape the ordinary and experience comfort at the New Hampshire Commons apartment community in Lakewood, NJ. Just minutes from Route 70, with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment, New Hampshire Commons offers a convenient and accessible location. The spacious apartment homes feature vinyl floors, walk-in closets, an in-home washer/dryer, and a charming private balcony with views of
Dutchtown Manor is situated in a prime spot along US Highway 9, featuring garden style apartments surrounded by shopping, convenient to public transit and close to Jersey Shore beaches. Our apartments feature private entrances, patios or balconies, washer and dryer units and central air conditioning! Stop in for a tour and discover choice rental living with an array of amenities right at your
Nestled amidst lush landscaping and serene surroundings, Andrews Corner Apartments offers a calm retreat from the everyday hustle. Discover a community where modern luxury meets comfort and convenience, creating the perfect place to call home. Choose from our upscale 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, thoughtfully designed with hardwood floors, modern kitchens featuring updated appliances, dishwashers,
Property Id: 24363974-Bedroom Home in the Heart of Downtown LakewoodWelcome to 201 4th St, a well-located 4-bedroom home in the center of Downtown Lakewood. With large windows throughout, this home is filled with natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere in every room.Best of all, ALL UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED in the rent, making budgeting simple and
a vibrant adult community offering comfort, convenience, and low-maintenance living. This beautifully maintained home features a bright and spacious layout with generous living area, kitchen features granite counter tops. Enjoy peaceful mornings in the sunroom/patio overlooking beautifully landscaped grounds. Residents enjoy access to community amenities including pools, clubhouse activities,
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