Spacious exurb near Downtown Freehold and entertainment destinations
Upper Freehold Township is about 15 miles south of Downtown Freehold, giving it exurb status. But there are tasteful modern homes, many placed in a planned subdivision, so at times it leans more suburban than rural. “It’s a different lifestyle as you move away from the coast, with maybe less commuters and more of a local lifestyle,” says Alex Farlow, a real estate salesperson with New Jersey Compass. “There are a decent amount of people who grew up there and stay.” Golf courses and even the Horse Park of New Jersey provide ample entertainment, as do other nearby destinations. “The Freehold Raceway does thoroughbred and harness racing," Jonathan Gruebel, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty with 30 years of experience in the Freehold area. Sprawling and spacious, Upper Freehold Township nonetheless finds a centerpiece with Interstate 195 – an ideal way to reach the vast retail options along Monmouth Road.
Early 2000s ranches and colonials from the 80s and 90s
In the $400,000 to $650,000 range are ranches with various looks. From the early 2000s are ranches in either red brick or earth-toned siding, with multiple sharp gabled roofs and the classic offset bay window. These can be arranged in a subdivision that’s reminiscent of suburbia. But there are more traditional interpretations from the 80s with more of a streamlined look more reminiscent of a log cabin – an impression enhanced by wooded, private surroundings. The $700,000 to $1 million range brings a variety of colonials. Some of these are from the late 80s and early 90s, highly symmetrical and opting for the tried-and-true colorway of white siding with accented shutters in colors like barn red. But above the $800,000 mark, facades become more asymmetric and hallmark colonial features give way to a modern traditional aesthetic. In any case, sweeping lawns for these homes are frequently part of the package.
Award-winning robotics team at Allentown High
Children can attend highly ranked public schools. Newell Elementary receives an A-minus rating from Niche. It covers pre-kindergarten through 4th grade, and has a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Stonebridge Middle receives an A. The school is known for giving students the chance to qualify for advanced level math courses. Allentown High is another A-rated institution. Extracurriculars include the Redbird Robotics team, which has won so many awards that it entered the FIRST Robotics World Championships in 2017.
Interstate 195 can be taken east or west for bigger destinations
Interstate 195 is undoubtedly the main transportation amenity of this neighborhood. Drivers can take I-195 east to Monmouth Road, the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell or the beach. “Asbury Park has a beach and a boardwalk that is for sure popular in summer, but it stays busy year-round,” says Farlow. Or, drivers can take I-195 west to Interstate 95, then make the 60-mile trek to New York City. This is a sprawling community with only a few main thoroughfares, like Allentown Lakewood Road, so a car is essential.
Outlet shopping and casual dining along Monmouth Road
Right where I-195 meets Monmouth Road is Jackson Premium Outlets, where shoppers can pick up name brands like Ralph Lauren, Adidas and Aeropostale. Tommy’s Inn is a slice of Americana with a bar and diner food. GianMarco’s Pizza serves round and square pizza pies, but also options outside of finger foods, like seafood entrees. Residents go west for grocery shopping, to the Shop Rite of Hamilton. They pass Downtown Allentown along with the way, which has its own small strip of eateries along Old York Road, from refined Italian fare at La Piazza to coffee at Woody’s Towne Café.
Hiking and golfing are popular pastimes
Cream Ridge Golf Course and Gambler Ridge Golf Club are both known for their rustic, rolling scenery. Cream Ridge also features The Roost, which serves hunger busters like pizza, tacos and burgers. The rural tendencies of the neighborhood are on view even more at Clayton Park, where 450 acres of farmland present over 8 miles of trails that can be traversed by foot or by horse. Locals tout it as one of the most beautiful spaces in the Monmouth County Park System, thanks to its old growth forests, which are full of hardwood trees.
