Historic Lower Township sits at the gateway to Cape May
Situated near the southern tip of New Jersey at Cape May, Lower Township serves as the gateway to some of the Jersey Shore’s most popular beaches. This community of nearly 22,000 residents has long been a bastion of South Jersey’s fishing industry, while dozens of parks and wildlife refuges offer both outdoor adventures and employment opportunities for this nature-centric community. As one of the state’s original, 1798-founded townships, Lower is full of history and culture, expressed through its iconic landmarks, historic sites and well-established small businesses.
Lower Township is full of venues for outdoor adventures
Though much of Lower Township’s western shoreline has been taken over by waterfront development, the rest of the township is comprised of parks, wetlands and historical sites. Lower Township is home to some of Cape May County’s most notable wildlife preserves; Cape May Point State Park provides visitors with birdwatching, fishing and hiking opportunities just around the corner from the famed Cape May Lighthouse. "This is one of the best birding areas in the country," says Dick Saari, the former President of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Lake Lily and a longtime Cape May County resident. "In the spring and fall, the Cape May area is on the eastern flyway for all the birds that come from Canada and the Northern United States. We've had traffic jams in Cape May Point because the birds settle in Cape May, and people from all over the East Coast come down to get their pictures. The monarch butterflies also pass through this area and before going all the way to Mexico."
Lower Township’s southern limits include a stretch of public beachfront connecting quiet Cape May Point with the bustling summer resort of Cape May proper, and beachgoers can walk past a decommissioned artillery battery, preserved dunes and even a prominent shipwreck as they stroll the Atlantic coast. "Just off Sunset Beach, there are remnants of a concrete ship from World War II," Saari says. "They were taking it up the Delaware, but it got loose and sank right there." Golfers may make tee times at the semi-private Cape May National Golf Club, which has been nicknamed “the Natural” for embracing natural features and the Jersey Shore’s scenery on its courses.
Living history is big at a colonial village and a Navy airfield
History comes alive at other Lower Township public spaces. Historic Cold Spring Village preserves 30 acres of Revolutionary War-era and early-19th century settlement among Cape May County’s thick woods, and costumed interpreters and the occasional reenactment troupe both educate and entertain. "Cold Spring is wonderful; they sometimes have craftspeople who are making baskets and doing things that you can watch, like baking," Saari says. The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is another cherished community institution, showing off scores of vintage aircraft. "They’re constantly having events at Naval Air Station Wildwood, like 'fly-ins.' They usually fly World War II planes around the Cape May area." This museum is much more than a place for merely watching how planes work, though. "There’s also a lot of hands-on for kids, and the museum has a wonderful Coast Guard display where you can go into a medical helicopter," Saari says.
Cape May County is known for its seafood and wine
Lower Township includes some of Cape May County’s most well-known shopping and dining landmarks within its borders. The Lobster House, in business since the 1960s, is a fixture of local life, as both locals and visitors frequently pick up fresh seafood from this harbor-front market and restaurant or dine on its dock. Across the street, Lucky Bones Backwater Grille takes its name from a legend about horseshoe crab claws offering good luck to mariners. This nautical theme is complemented by old photos of Cape May seafarers and a menu combining comfort food classics with seafood dishes. Grocery options not only include the local ACME supermarket; the forested Enfin Farms has a booth at its entrance where fresh-baked muffins, bread loaves and other baked goods are sold to passersby. Wine lovers may opt for tapas and tap-room tours at the Cape May Winery & Vineyard, which is especially known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. “It’s a great wine region and a great craft beer area. The wines are becoming very good," Saari says. "Just a father and son started Cape May Brewery, and they’re now distributing beers all over the East Coast."
Beachfront properties share this township with highway-side homes
Like most of Cape May County’s communities, Lower Township brings together scattered neighborhoods like North Cape May and Villas into a singular town. Much of Lower Township’s housing stock sits along the Delaware Bay, although a few residences are situated just off Highway 9 and the Garden State Parkway. Midcentury-built ranch-style properties sit beside 2020s-built townhouses and detached homes, offering a diverse housing market to Cape May County homebuyers. Condos on Diamond Beach can sell for between $555,000 and $1 million, while those along Cape May Harbor go for between $675,000 and $950,000. Ranch-style and Colonial Revival homes south of the Cape May Canal sell for between $865,000 to $1.9 million; homes get less expensive up the peninsula’s western shore. For example, northwestern Lower Township’s Miami Beach neighborhood has homes largely priced between $170,000 and $560,000.
Easy access to Wildwood and healthcare
Lower Township offers access to NJ Transit buses like Route 313, which can take passengers to Wildwood’s beaches within a 25-minute drive. Healthcare conveniences from the North Cape Center nursing home to the AtlantiCare Physician Group all sit within Lower Township or neighboring Middle Township, putting them roughly 10 minutes away from home.
Weather events in Lower Township
According to First Street, seaside communities within Lower Township have severe flooding and wind risks, especially during hurricane season.
Learning in Lower Township
Students can start their education at the Lower Township Elementary School District, which receives a C rating from Niche. Middle and high schoolers may go on to attend the B-minus-rated Lower Cape May Regional School District. Lower Cape May Regional High School, which receives a B rating, offers a student-teacher ratio well below the national averages. Its students not only have chances to shine in the classroom, but also in extracurriculars like the school’s symphonic band.
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.
