Monmouth Beach is a sought-after borough on the Jersey Shore
Between the bustling beaches of Sea Bright and the sun-washed boardwalks of Long Branch, Monmouth Beach offers a quiet suburban feel in one of the nation’s busiest summer destinations. With charming restaurants, a top-ranked school district and proximity to some of the country’s most popular beaches, Monmouth Beach is a hidden gem for those looking to live on the Jersey Shore. Realtor Jenna Cavadas of EXP Realty says of Monmouth Beach’s standout features, “You’re by the beaches, and you can get to both New York and Philadelphia in an hour and fifteen minutes. It’s overall just a great location, no matter what you’re looking for – whether it’s amusements or a quiet place on the beach to hang out.”
A historic coastal enclave with high-end homes and condos
Monmouth Beach has its origins as a Gilded Age beach resort, with visitors such as President Ulysses S. Grant, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and several other national leaders. This community has never lost its luster, as its streets are lined with upmarket residences, from high-rise condos to seaside ranch-style homes and Cape Cods. Monmouth Beach has a median home price of approximately $900,000, significantly above the county and state averages, and reflecting the area’s desirability.
Monmouth Beach and Shore Regional High School Districts are well-rated
Students attend Monmouth Beach School from kindergarten through eighth grade and Shore Regional High School from ninth through 12th grade. Monmouth Beach School scores an A from Niche, while the high school gets an A-minus.
The Chanel Club marina anchors recreation and waterfront dining
Monmouth Beach may be a small town, but its residents enjoy a concentration of several leisure activities, from boating to dining and outdoor fun. The Channel Club is locally popular for nautically inclined residents, who can rent slips for their boats and sail into the Shrewsbury Bay for a day on the waves.
This marina also includes two of the town’s most popular restaurants. Beach Tavern, with a ship-themed interior and sea breeze-kissed outdoor seating, serves seafood classics from fish and chips to lobster rolls, shrimp, and oysters with cocktails that bring out the joys of summer. Next door, Abbiocco serves Italian favorites from chicken parmesan to cacio e pepe, with a broad wine list sure to entertain any wine connoisseur’s palate.
In the absence of public beaches in this community, Griffin Street Memorial Park offers residents an outdoor venue for recreation, from playing baseball to frolicking in a modernized playground or shooting hoops at the park’s basketball court.
Small-town charm shines through local businesses like My Kitchen Witch
About this town’s retail, Cavadas says, “There are a lot of homegrown, locally owned businesses; the community has built the town, and it really feels like home here. There’s a lot of connectedness, and you’ll get to know people right away and feel at home when you move here.” A popular meeting place for locals is My Kitchen Witch, which serves hearty breakfast meals within a chic, eclectic restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. While this eatery is only open for breakfast on most days, this restaurant offers bewitching dinners on Friday nights.
Close to Jersey Shore beaches and a one-hour ferry to Manhattan
One of Monmouth Beach’s greatest assets is its proximity to both the beach clubs of Sea Bright and the Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park of Long Branch, giving locals easy access to some of the Shore’s best beaches before they grow too crowded. Additionally, this borough sits just 13 minutes away from the Seastreak Ferry at Highlands, enabling New York commuters to ferry into the city in just an hour and return to a beachfront sunset here in Monmouth Beach.
