Manchester

Located 15 miles west of the Jersey Shore, Manchester Township is a secluded neighborhood that combines rural and suburban living close to major city hubs and coastal amenities. In the northwest corner of this mostly residential town sits Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst, the largest military base in New Jersey and the site of the 1937 Hindenburg disaster. Residents are close to shopping, dining and recreation ranging from community lakes to one of the largest amusement parks in the country. “It’s a little bit more in the west side of Ocean County, however, the location is still very close to all the shopping, beaches and the boardwalk,” says Louisa Sagarese, broker for RE/MAX Revolution, who’s been selling homes in the area since 1985. Homes are in subdivisions and gated communities with curving streets and cul-de-sacs, lending some privacy from the faster pace of life along the major corridors. Clusters of homes are separated by park space, helping Manchester feel expansive. Modest ranch-style homes and cottages are set back from the street with well-kept lawns and ornamental bushes. Many of these are from the 1970s and '80s and can largely be found for $300,000 to $500,000. Renaissance at Manchester is a 55+ gated community with an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and sports courts. Two- and three-bedroom Tivoli-style homes here sell for $400,000 to $600,000. “There’s also a section called Roosevelt City, which is very rural. You can buy a house on an acre of land there. People are attracted to that,” says Sagarese. Homes in this area usually go for $500,000 to $800,000. The CAP Index gives Manchester a crime score of 2 out of 10. The national average is 4. Students may attend Manchester Township Elementary, which gets a B from Niche, before going to Manchester Township Middle, which earns a B-minus. Manchester Township High also earns a B and offers specialized academies in bio-medical, business, communications and music fields. The neighborhood is heavily car-dependent, with residents taking state Routes 70 and 37 to connect to surrounding areas like Seaside Heights and Brick Township. Trenton is 30 miles north of Manchester, while Philadelphia is 40 miles west. Locals head to Route 37 for retailers like Walmart and Aldi. There’s also dining and entertainment, including Gregory’s with locally sourced seafood, Tom’s River Brewing with a full calendar of musical acts alongside its brews and Charlie’s Pizza, which has been in business for over 20 years. In the north end of town, residents can shop at ShopRite and Manko Kosher Market. Nearby, Donovan’s is a local restaurant and bar that serves traditional Irish dishes. In the southern end of town, locals flock to Harry Wright Lake to swim in the water, lie on the sand and let kids run around the playground. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” says Sagarese. That’s probably the biggest draw to Manchester right now.” Paintballers can play at Cousins Paintball, a rugged, outdoor facility with authentic military-style equipment. Golfers can head to Manchester Family Golf Center to practice on the driving range or play the 18-hole miniature course. Those wanting to head to the ocean can drive 15 miles east to Seaside Heights’ boardwalk and beaches. Six Flags Great Adventure is also just 10 miles north with 510 acres of amusement park rides, including the tallest roller coaster in the world, as of 2024. A summer concert series takes place at Harry Wright Lake twice a month in July and August. The concerts are free to the public, and drinks and food are available for purchase. In June, thousands of locals head to the lake for Manchester Day, which features free amusement rides, live entertainment, local vendors and a fireworks display. The township provides a free bus service throughout the area to and from both events. In the center of the township is the former Heritage Minerals site and Crystal Lake. The mine ceased operation in 1989, and radioactive materials were removed in the early 2000s. While the site poses no risks to the community today, the mine and the lake are off-limits. Depending on location, the neighborhood’s proximity to Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst may also result in ambient jet noise.