$1,756,384Average Value$918Average Price per Sq Ft43Homes For Sale
Summer tourism and year-round community life in Sea Isle City
A sunglass-wearing sun shines over the southern New Jersey community of Sea Isle City from atop its water tower, painted next to the slogan: SMILE, YOU’RE IN SEA ISLE. The southern tip of Ludlam Island has transitioned from a barrier island community centered on fishery and resorts to one dedicated to nostalgic shore town tourism. “Obviously, our beach and wetlands on the back bays are the biggest attractions. We’ve also got wonderful restaurants and terrific shopping and bars. I like to point out that we’re a family-friendly shore community with nightlife,” says Katherine Custer, Sea Isle City’s director of community services, public information officer and a resident of over three decades. Whether they’re the couple thousand residents that smile in Sea Isle year-round or the hundreds of thousands that spend a shorter part of the year in the city, people come down to this part of the shore for the same things: the sun, the surf and the beloved traditions that have long bolstered community life in New Jersey’s beach towns.
Bring the family out to the public beaches on Sea Isle City.
The water tower that tells you to smile welcomes vacationers into Sea Isle City.
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Recreation from the beachfront to the back bays
Pedestrian traffic flows toward Sea Isle City’s east side through the summer, made up of seasonal beach tag holders heading to surf, swim or lounge at sandy Atlantic Ocean beaches. Joggers and cyclists travel down the city’s Promenade nearby, a shore-hugging cement pathway that replaced a wooden boardwalk swept away by a hurricane in the 60s. The connected tidal waterways that wind between salt marshes along the mainland are collectively referred to as the back bays and are teeming with fish and crustaceans that support recreational and commercial fishing enterprises. Boaters and anglers get out on the water through membership at private businesses like the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City or by heading to the municipal marina and launches. Sandwiched between the two waterfronts are plenty of land-based recreation hubs, from the athletic courts, playground and skate park at Dealy Field to Excursion Park, a beach-block event space centered around a band shell.
Sea Isle City is a lively southern New Jersey Shore town set on a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ride your bike along the Sea Isle City promenade next to the beach.
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The city’s single-family homes, condos and seasonal rentals
Tightly packed grids of beach houses with multi-story porches fill Sea Isle City from the back bays to the beach block. Though many single-family homes carry over older architectural details like gambrel roofs and rambling Victorian silhouettes, expansive contemporary construction has replaced many smaller, older homes over the past few decades. Condos range from small one-bedroom units in larger complexes to entire floors of classic beach homes. The extreme variability in home sizes, luxury levels and distance from the waterfront means price ranges are also wide. Single-family homes can go for $400,000 to over $6 million, and condos can range from around $200,000 to over $3 million. Many buyers in Sea Isle City are looking for a second home and may participate in the city’s robust summer rental market when they’re not down the shore.
Contemporary beach houses sit directly on the Sea Isle City promenade.
Single family homes often have private parking with covered garages on the bottom floor.
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Community events in the on- and off-seasons
Summers in Sea Isle City are packed with community events, from weekly free cover band concerts at the Excursion Park band shell to once-a-year vendor markets like the Skimmer Festival. Other traditions like the Fall Family Festival and fundraising or donation-based events put on by institutions like St. Joseph Catholic Church and the largest VFW Auxiliary in the state, Post 1963, draw people together well into the off-season. "Our civic groups are thriving. It’s not just the tourism business – we have volunteers doing a lot of the good that’s going on,” Custer says. The Sea Isle City Beachcombers group is a marriage of the city’s commitment to service and the surf. On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer, volunteers educate families about the city’s unique coastal ecosystem before setting them loose to discover shells, seaweed and other beach treasures for themselves.
Shopping and dining in Sea Isle’s commercial strips
Boutique shops, community staple restaurants and lively bars are all over Sea Isle City, but tend to collect in walkable, themed commercial districts. Fish Alley is defined by fresh seafood eateries and watersports businesses. Downtown Sea Isle coats a stretch of Landis Avenue with shops, bars and restaurants, paralleling a sparser strip along the Promenade. The rest of the city is pocketed with smaller business districts that Custer calls, “little nuggets of happiness.” Many businesses shut down completely or significantly reduce hours as tourist season ebbs, but some mainstay businesses and the local ACME Markets stay open year-round.
Sea Isle City is home to many small boutiques on Landis Ave.
Mike's Seafood is a legendary seafood store in Fish Alley that has been around for over 100 years.
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A sending relationship with Ocean City School District
Sea Isle City sends students to Ocean City School District, starting with Ocean City Primary School, which earns an A from Niche. Ocean City Intermediate School earns a B-plus. A-minus-rated Ocean City High School partners with Stockton University for an accelerated dual degree program, offering students a six-year path to earning both a high school diploma and a four-year degree.
Ocean City Primary School has 280 students in grades PK, K-3.
Ocean City Intermediate School has 370 students in grades 4-8.
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Getting around Sea Isle City and driving to the mainland
Through the warmer months, people often walk, bike or take a Jitney bus to get around Sea Isle City. When it’s time to leave the island, most residents rely on personal vehicles rather than limited regional NJ Transit bus service. The Garden State Parkway hugs the south shore across the salt marshes, offering a nearly 12-mile drive to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and connection to the Atlantic City Expressway for a 75-mile trip to Philadelphia. Atlantic City International Airport is nearly 30 miles from home.
Biking on the roadways is a safe and popular form of transportation in Sea Isle City.
Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional is the closest hospital to Sea Isle City.
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Mitigating Sea Isle City’s flood risk
Almost all of Sea Isle City falls into a significant flood zone, which can be caused by major storms or more frequent combinations of high tides and heavy rain. Buyers will need flood insurance, but the city’s participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s community rating system means that those living in impacted areas can receive a 35% discount. Sea Isle has been lauded for its above-and-beyond approach to floodplain management, including strict resiliency-based regulations for new construction and investment in projects like pump stations and bulkheads.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Video By
Dan Mack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julietta Morris,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Sea Isle City, NJ sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Sea Isle City, NJ over the last 12 months is $1,550,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Built by McLaughlin Construction and designed by Blane Steinman, this impeccably maintained Bayfront retreat presents like new and reflects a sophisticated take on effortless coastal living. The exterior offers minimal maintenance and is thoughtfully designed for the bay lifestyle, featuring a hydraulic boat lift, newer vinyl bulkhead, five spacious decks, two outdoor showers, a fenced yard, and
Welcome to a fresh beginning at 127 40th Street, Unit 1F in Sea Isle City! This completely renovated condo offers 956 square feet of modern charm, ideally situated in the heart of town where businesses are bustling with new investments. Enjoy the convenience and lifestyle of Shore living, with easy access to local amenities and the beautiful surroundings. This is the most aggressively priced
Unbeatable Corner Location Rarely available prime, peaceful South End location in Townsends Inlet. Corner lot offering only one direct residential neighbor as property sits adjacent to a municipal lot offering a North side privacy buffer from future development. One block walk to the beach and bay. Classic shore retreat home with three bedrooms and two baths along with valuable off-street parking
This location is truly exceptional! Welcome to this charming east-side townhouse-style condo, ideally positioned in one of the quietest and most scenic sections of Sea Isle City. Located just across the street from the 2nd Street beach, this home offers rare, open sightlines with no buildings between you and the shoreline, creating beautiful views and an airy coastal atmosphere. Inside, the home
Welcome to 138 76th St. DO NOT MISS this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one or both sides of the largest most expansive custom side by side town homes ever built in Sea Isle. This home is perfectly situated on one of the widest, quietest streets in Townsends Inlet AND built on a 75’ X 110’ lot so it cannot be duplicated! Each unit boasts 3500 square feet of living space (which is 1100
Welcome to 138 76th St. DO NOT MISS this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one or both sides of the largest most expansive custom side by side town homes ever built in Sea Isle. Presented by Redfern Ocean Development, LLC., this home is perfectly situated on one of the widest, quietest streets in Townsends Inlet AND built on a 75’ X 110’ lot so it cannot be duplicated! Each unit boasts over
Welcome to 126 61st Street-WEST! This NEW CONSTRUCTION home brought to you by Redfern Ocean Development has all the upscale features and finishes you are dreaming of INCLUDING AN ELEVATOR, all while being perfectly situated one short block from the beach. This family-friendly location is just a short walk to the beach, playground, sports fields, kayak launch, bay, restaurants, Acme, ice cream
Exquisite Sea Isle City Townhome with Ocean Views & Private Elevator Experience coastal elegance in this stunning four-story townhome, perfectly positioned in the heart of Sea Isle City. Designed for both comfort and sophistication, this residence features an elevator serving all four levels, a spacious three-car garage, and multiple decks offering breathtaking ocean views. Inside, the home
This beautiful 4 bedroom 3 bath 2 floor condo, located within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, clubs, basketball courts, and playground, is a must see. There are 3 bedrooms on the main floor with the 4th being a spacious suite on the 2nd floor. 3 full baths and ceiling fans in all rooms. A large outside deck provides beautiful views of all that's happening in the vicinity. Just steps
EXPERIENCE PANORAMIC WETLAND VIEWS AND BREATHTAKING SUNSETS FROM MULTI-LEVEL OVERSIZED DECKS! WOW! Take advantage of this rare opportunity to own a spacious townhouse in one of Sea Isle’s most desirable locations offering spectacular bay and sunset views from multiple levels! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath PLUS large CUSTOM LOFT home delivers the ultimate shore lifestyle, just a short walk to the beach
This stunning NEW CONSTRUCTION is positioned in a prime south end location. Offering 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths there will be ample room for the whole family and their friends. The first level has two ensuite bedrooms and access to the ground level storage area. The second level provides two more additional bedrooms, hall bath and primary suite with private bath and walk-in closet. The third
EXPERIENCE PANORAMIC WETLAND VIEWS AND BREATHTAKING SUNSETS FROM MULTI-LEVEL OVERSIZED DECKS! WOW! Take advantage of this rare opportunity to own a spacious townhouse in one of Sea Isle’s most desirable locations offering spectacular bay and sunset views from multiple levels! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath PLUS large CUSTOM LOFT home delivers the ultimate shore lifestyle, just a short walk to the beach
SUSAN GIORDANOLONG and FOSTER REAL ESTATE INC-Sea Isle City
Welcome to The Dunes in highly sought-after Townsend Inlet! This is the LAST UNIT for sale in the whole building. This top-floor corner unit offers breath taking BAY views with some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. Spanning 1,477 square feet, north-facing condo features an open floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, designed for effortless coastal living. The inviting layout
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