On the east end of Delaware Bay, Villas is part of Lower Township and greater Cape May County. Often referred to as the “birthplace of South Jersey,” whalers and farmers first settled here around the mid-1600s. In the mid-1900s, developers saw an opportunity to transform the area into coastal suburbs. “If you're on the left side of Bayshore Road, you can be within a couple blocks of the bay. So now you have somewhere to walk while your coffee is still hot,” says Ryan Griffin, a Realtor with DeSatnick Real Estate, who grew up in Cape May and has been selling homes here for over a decade. Tourism is this area’s biggest industry, bringing in around $7.7 billion each year. “The primary employers for the area have always been the restaurants, the hospitals and the school systems,” says Griffin. The Port of Cape May is one of the largest commercial fishing landings in the nation. Cape May County also holds the only U.S. Coast Guard recruit training center in the country.
Most homes in the Villas are a short walk from the beach at the Delaware Bay.
The beach maybe small, but it is nice and relaxing in the Villas.
Homebuyers can find Cape Cods from the early- to mid-1900s, ranch-style and colonial homes from the late-1900s and contemporary-style houses built on recently demolished lots. “It’s developing rather quickly,” says Griffin. “I’m working on a property there at the moment, and every time I leave, I take a different street. There’s not one block that doesn’t have at least one construction job going on.” Single-family homes tend to stay on the market for over a month and sell for a median price of $415,000. Houses here typically sell for less than the state’s median price, but more than the national median.
This newly built cape cod home in the Villas has a nice fenced in yard and is within walking distance to the beach a few blocks away.
This ranch house was built in the 1920's and has a driveway for parking.
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Beach access, trails at Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Area
Sandy coastline runs down the entire west end of Villas, giving locals plenty of space to access Delaware Bay for swimming and fishing. Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area, a former golf course turned nature preserve, has 4 miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing spots and is a popular area for bird watching. The Lower Township Municipal Pool along Winslow Avenue is open seasonally. And Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum has a host of historic aircraft and interactive exhibits. “If you’re targeting Villas, you’re equal distance to quite a few things,” says Griffin. “It puts you in close proximity to the Wildwoods so you can enjoy the boardwalk, and you have easy access to Stone Harbor’s beaches too.”
Enjoy the beautiful sunsets at the beach on the Delaware Bay in the Villas.
You can walk the paved paths at Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area and take in nature all around you.
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Shopping and dining along Bayshore Road
Most shopping and dining is concentrated along Bayshore Road, which cuts down the middle of Villas. Nearby are small grocers like Gaiss Market and Blitz's Hole in the Wall Market, as well as popular local dining spots like Castaway Cafe and Fleck's Ice Cream. ACME Markets, 3 miles south, is the closest grocery store chain.
Residents from the Villas run to Acme to do their grocery shopping, which is around 15 minutes away.
A popular dining spot in the Villas is Castaway Cafe, stop in for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Annual events in Lower Township
Lower Township hosts an Independence Day Festival with amusement rides, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks. The Robert Coombs Memorial Bay Run and the David C. Douglass, Sr. Memorial Race, which has been running for over 20 years, donate their proceeds to the Special Olympics of South Jersey. To end the summer, Family Fun Night is held in September with local vendors, food trucks and bounce houses. The town also has a haunted house in October and a Ferry Merry Christmas event with arts and crafts, music and Santa on stilts.
Two school districts serve the area
Students are served by the Lower Township Elementary School District, which gets a C from Niche, for kindergarten through sixth grade, and Lower Cape May Regional School District, which receives a B-minus, for seventh through 12th grade. In total, 2,700 students attend three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.
David C. Douglass Veterans Memorial School received a B- rating from Niche.
Lower Cape May Regional School has over 1,200 students that attend classes.
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Lower Township crime statistics, local flood risks
According to New Jersey State Police’s Uniform Crime Report, from 2021 to 2022 total crime increased by around 19%. But overall, violent and property crime rates here are below the state and national averages.
Flooding is a concern for houses closest to the coast. For homes in the town’s Special Flood Hazard Areas, flood insurance may be mandatory. Lower Township maintains a property flood map on their website with risks and requirements for each address in the area.
Access to Garden State Parkway, busses, ferries
Although the community itself has a gridded layout that makes it somewhat walkable, residents will need a car to get in and out of the area. Commuters can take Garden State Parkway, located less than 5 miles east, to travel north to the Jersey Shore, Newark and New York City. The parkway also connects to the Atlantic City Expressway, which runs to Philadelphia. The NJ Transit 552-bus line connects Cape May County to Atlantic City. The Cape May Ferry Terminal just south of Villas runs across the bay to Lewes. The closest train station is 35 miles north in Atlantic City, which offers service to Philly. Cooper University Hospital is less than 10 miles north. The closest major airport is Atlantic City International, located 35 miles north.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Birnbaum
Video By
Drew Webster
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joseph Rauh,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Villas, NJ sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Villas, NJ over the last 12 months is $384,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Seller's Disclosure is in the Associated Documents. KitchenAid Downdraft Dual Fuel range with self-cleaning convection oven arrives June 17th. Builder's Liability Warranty is included with the sale. 307 Oakdale will soon be on the market as well.
Nestled in the heart of Lower Township, The Enclave at Bentz features 10 exclusive and thoughtfully crafted new construction homes located at the intersection of Bentz Avenue and Star Avenue in Villas, NJ. This limited collection of residences offers the perfect blend of coastal charm and modern convenience, ideal for families, retirees, and vacation homeowners alike. Just minutes from the
Linda KirkD.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County, LLC
Immediate Occupancy available! Beautifully remodeled, this charming home in the Villas is just a few blocks from the water. New HVAC, new siding, vinyl windows, remodeled kitchen & bath, off street parking, and an architectural shingle roof are just some of the highlights. Once inside, you are greeted by your enclosed front porch. The open layout is great for entertaining. Featuring ample
Don't miss this great opportunity. This rental won’t last! Kick back and relax. With one of the best locations in the Villas in Lower Township. This spacious one-story ranch home, with a large backyard on a spacious lot 90x90, has relaxing views; in one of the serene costal spots around, all on a private street. The area is known for its breathtaking sunsets and laid-back vibes. The home will be
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