South Manalapan is a destination for residents escaping busy city life
During the height of the COVID pandemic, many New York City residents decided areas like Manhattan were too crowded and moved south to New Jersey's Manalapan Township. It's a suburban area, and the north half of the township is full of subdivisions with homes close together, but South Manalapan has more breathing room between neighbors and newer homes. “Manalapan is pretty built out, but there’s still room in South Manalapan,” says Gail Szeluga, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who lives in Manalapan Township. “If you don’t mind dealing with septic, you move down there.” While the larger homes and yard space are major draws, people who settle here also get easy access to U.S. Route 9, which leads to the commuter hub of Newark. South Manalapan’s spacious layout gives residents a relaxing place to decompress once they're away from big city streets.
South Manalapan is known for its spacious homes, often situated on large lots, giving residents privacy and a quiet atmosphere.
South Manalapan maintains a strong balance between preserving open land and allowing thoughtful development.
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Large Craftsman homes and popular subdivisions like Knob Hill
Many of the homes in South Manalapan are in subdivisions, typically with large yards and full trees that give neighbors privacy. Most single-family houses feature Craftsman designs and land in the $700,000 to $975,000 range, but ranch-style homes have sold for around $440,000 to $665,000. The largest and most prominent subdivisions are Knob Hill and Four Seasons at Manalapan Crossing, a 55-plus community. Condos in Knob Hill often sell for $340,000 to $475,000, while those in Four Seasons range from $680,000 to $910,000. Townhouses have sold for $480,000 to almost $900,000, and there are new luxury units in Manalapan Landing. While many homes run on septic tank systems, as Szeluga notes, larger communities like Four Seasons have public water.
Shared amenities and common areas create opportunities for neighbors to connect, whether it’s at community events or just casual encounters around the complex.
South Manalapan blends newer, spacious single-family homes, ranch-style options, and semi-custom construction in leafy, family-focused neighborhoods.
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Highly rated public and vocational schools, including Biotechnology High
Szeluga says residents often choose Manalapan Township for its highly rated schools and school districts. In South Manalapan, kids attend kindergarten through fifth grade at Wemrock Brook School. Pine Brook Elementary School offers sixth-grade classes only. After attending Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School, students usually transfer to Manalapan High School. All four schools get A-minus ratings from Niche. South Manalapan also falls in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, rated A-plus. Students have to apply to the high schools in this district, and the nearest is Biotechnology High School — which gets an A-plus — in Freehold. Another popular option is High Technology High School in Lincroft, which has an A-plus and is ranked as the fourth-best public high school in New Jersey by Niche. “We get people who move here just to qualify for High Tech,” says JoAnna Siminerio, Szeluga’s partner and fellow Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty.
Biotechnology High School offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on laboratory science, research, mathematics, and technology.
Students from South Manalapan can choose to go to High Technology High School, which is s a distinguished public magnet high school located in Lincroft, NJ.
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Route 9 is always busy with commuters
“We’re about 30 minutes to Atlantic City and shore, 40 minutes to Newark and an hour to Philadelphia,” Szeluga says. Route 9 is the main road when commuting about 34 miles to Newark, which has the Newark Liberty International Airport. From Newark Penn Station, trains take passengers to Penn Station in New York. The drive to Manhattan is closer to 50 miles along Route 9 and then Interstate 95. CentraState Medical Center is the nearest hospital, off West Main Street in Freehold. NJ Transit buses run in Freehold and the northern half of Manalapan, so residents drive around South Manalapan, especially to places like churches. Though there are several throughout the area, the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church is the oldest. It was used as a field hospital during the Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth and still holds services.
New York-style dishes at La Lupa and shopping in Freehold
South Manalapan residents live a short drive from the Freehold Raceway Mall and chain restaurants along Route 9, but there are locally owned restaurants closer to home. “The people who own La Lupa came down from New York to open the restaurant,” Szeluga says. La Lupa is small, so many guests make reservations to ensure they've got a table at the upscale Italian spot. Gus’s Diner is just down the street, serving classic American dishes with Mediterranean flair for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For groceries, some residents drive up Route 9 to shop at Wegmans, but there's also a Stop & Shop and Livoti’s Old World Market nearby in Freehold. South Manalapan's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Gus's Diner offers a diverse menu featuring classic American diner fare with a touch of Greek and Mediterranean influences.
Wegmans' customers appreciate the store's cleanliness, variety, and quality of products.
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Walking historic trails at Monmouth Battlefield State Park and visiting orchards
Monmouth Battlefield State Park has roughly 25 miles of trails, some of which were used by Revolutionary War soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth. History buffs from across the state and beyond visit the park every June to watch or even participate in reenactments. Farmers lived nearby during the war, and orchards still surround the park. Visitors to Battleview Orchards, open since 1908, can pick apples, peaches and pumpkins. Wemrock Orchards, Inc., down the road, has a country store full of locally made goods. There are a couple of golf courses in the area. Battleground Country Club's 18-hole course is open to members. Knob Hill Golf Club is open to the public, but members get perks like morning access to the 18-hole course on weekends.
South Manalapan is an inviting, family-oriented place with a small-town feel and easy access to both nature and modern conveniences.
From mid-July through early September, Battleview Orchards opens their fields for sweet corn harvesting alongside ripe and ready for picking tomatoes.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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This brand new 3-bedroom, 3-bath home sits on a premium lot backing to preserved land in this 55+ community. Enjoy a gourmet JennAir kitchen with quartz countertops and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, an extended great room with marble gas fireplace, and a luxurious primary suite with tray ceiling, double closets, and spa-like bath. A guest suite and full bath are on the main level, while upstairs
Custom built exquisite home on a serene street in Manalapan - this is the opportunity to purchase property with tranquility but still close to all of the restaurants, schools and stores in the area. This distinctive center hall colonial features 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 story foyer and family room, woodburning fireplace, hardwood throughout and gorgeous moulding. You'll find a 1st floor bedroom
Jennifer KleinKeller Williams Realty West Monmouth
Welcome to this highly sought-after 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Perdue model nestled in the prestigious Meadow Creek development, offering the perfect combination of luxury, comfort, and convenience. From the moment you step inside, you'll notice the impeccable attention to detail, beginning with elegant wide-plank engineered wood flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the entire first level, creating
Welcome to New Construction Four Seasons@Manalapan Crossing! Available for October Delivery. This stunning Ibiza Loft model features open floor plan w/high ceilings, three bedrooms, three Full Bath and office/study. Gourmet kitchen w/oversized center island, designer cabinetry & stone counters. Primary Bedroom suite features spa like BA & large WI Closet. Upper level with loft area, bedroom and
Welcome to Tracy Village. This desirable 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhouse offers comfort, convenience, and a great location close to everything Manalapan has to offer. Step into the impressive foyer with high ceilings and continue into the spacious eat-in kitchen featuring pickled oak cabinetry and upgraded GE Profile stainless steel appliances.The living room opens to a private deck—perfect
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Welcome to an exceptional opportunity to lease a beautiful 3-bed, 2.5-bath townhome with / finished walk-out basement, nestled in one of the area's most desirable communities. From the moment you arrive, you'll be impressed by the curb appeal, accentuated by a custom paver driveway .Step inside to find an inviting open-concept layout The spacious living & dining rooms feature gleaming hardwood
WE HAVE AN ACTIVE WAITING LIST AND ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS - Please contact us for availability!! Visit the community website to download an application. This charming community of 100 residential apartments is located just off of Route 33 on Woodward Road, and close to shopping, services and transportation. Spend an afternoon at the Township of Manalapan Senior Center, taking a session
Step into this brand-new, gorgeous home by Toll Brothers in the highly desirable Center Square neighborhood! This bright and airy 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers a spacious open-concept layout, contemporary design touches, and a fully finished basement—ideal for hosting gatherings or extra living space.Enjoy luxury living in one of Manalapan's most sought-after neighborhoods—conveniently located
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
13,074
Median Age
45
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$152,736
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$173,401
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.7%
College Graduates
63.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
19/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
