Seaside Park offers peaceful beaches, spacious homes and a slower pace
Peaceful beaches and spacious properties make Seaside Park stand out from other Jersey Shore communities. “I love Seaside Park. It definitely has more of a slower pace,” says Justin Bosak, a broker and owner with Re/Max Revolution who’s sold homes in the area for 22 years. “It mainly attracts people looking to retire. You can have a sizable home with a nice buffer from your neighbors. I find it to be quicker access to Route 37, so it’s easy to get on and off the island if you have to go shopping.” Seaside Heights — with its lively boardwalk and tourist-friendly businesses — is just to the north, and the undeveloped Island Beach State Park is to the south.
Relaxing beaches, water recreation and community parks
Seaside Park’s public beaches have a more natural feel than others on the barrier island, with houses set far back from the dunes and a boardwalk lined with beachgrass instead of Seaside Heights’ carnival games and food stands. Accessing the shore requires a beach badge. Island Beach State Park is at the community’s southern end and has 10 miles of protected beaches and wildlife. “Island Beach State Park is very popular for tourists because it's very cheap — you just pay by the carload,” Bosak says. “You can set up tents here and back your car up to the beach.” The park is also popular for crabbing and fishing, especially for striped bass, bluefish and flounder. Anglers can also cast a line at the Fifth Avenue Bay Pier. Boaters can join the Seaside Park Yacht Club, which offers sailing lessons and hosts regular regattas. The Seaside Park Marina provides boat storage. The Moe Levine Field and Park features a baseball field, a basketball court and a playground. The lawn in front of the Seaside Park Municipal Complex is the site of the weekly Summer Concert Series and the Labor Day Weekend Art Show.
Turn-of-the-century beach getaways, plus bungalows and condos
Many of the homes here were built in the early 1900s, demonstrating common styles of the time like Shingle, Craftsman and Queen Anne. Small beach bungalows and Cape Cod homes were built in the following years, and the new construction here has classic coastal architecture, with multi-story balconies and ground-floor garages. Many houses have bay or ocean views and backyard pools. Some properties have landscaped front yards and grassy lawns, while others have gravel or paved front parking spaces. Many of the properties are used as seasonal homes or are rented to vacationers.
Bungalows under 1,000 square feet range from around $300,000 to $780,000. “If you see a cheaper house, it might be on leased land,” Bosak says, which can result in extra monthly payments and different insurance requirements. Houses up to 2,000 square feet generally range from $680,000 to $1.5 million, but those with luxury amenities or better views can cost more. Homes over 2,000 square feet typically range from $1.6 million to $3 million. Multi-family houses can cost between $680,000 and $1.4 million. One- and two-bedroom condos range from $200,000 to $600,000, while larger units can range from $580,000 to $850,000. Condo owners pay monthly homeowners association fees between $130 and $630. Townhouses range from $540,000 to $780,000, plus monthly fees between $200 and $450.
Restaurants and stores are along Route 35
State Route 35 is home to Seaside Park’s restaurants, many of which are open year-round. Bum Rogers Crab House & Tavern has served the area since 1969 and is known for its seafood and live music. Ebby’s Ristorante and Lounge offers Italian comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. B&B Department Store sells beach clothes and swimwear, and there are multiple tackle shops in the area. The Seaside Park Farmers Market at the marina has farm stands and locally made foods each week during the summer. An Acme grocery store and CVS Pharmacy are just north of Seaside Heights, and more shopping options are on the mainland, including a ShopRite about 5 miles away.
Getting around by car, bike and foot
Route 35 is Seaside Park’s main thoroughfare and can get busy during the summer. The road is divided by parking spots and has dedicated bike lanes. Sidewalks throughout the area make it pedestrian-friendly. A bridge to the mainland is just north of the community. Houses of worship here include St. Catharine of Siena Church and Union Church of Seaside Park. The Community Medical Center is about 9 miles away. Atlantic City International Airport is 57 miles away, and Newark Liberty International Airport is a 68-mile trip.
Kids can attend schools on the island and the mainland
Kids can choose to attend elementary school in the Toms River Regional School District on the mainland or in Lavallette, 3 miles north. Lavallette Elementary earns a B-minus from Niche. Students continue their education on the mainland at Central Regional Middle and Central Regional High, which also earn a B-minus. High schoolers can join over 50 clubs, including the Fishing Club, the Legal Eagles and The Eagle’s Voice student newspaper.
High flood and hurricane risk
Seaside Park is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which is a FEMA-designated zone of high flood risk. Properties closest to the bay have the highest risk. Homeowners might have to buy flood insurance. “Elevation is big because that determines how much flood insurance you’ll have to pay,” Bosak says. “A lot of the houses were elevated after Superstorm Sandy.” The area is also at risk of hurricanes.
Written By
Annie Franklin
