West Freehold is a suburb that blends history and modern conveniences
West Freehold sits next to the crossroads of two highways in Central Jersey, an area rich in Revolutionary War history. “There are areas that are historic, and you also have modern amenities,” says Juan Sardo, a real estate agent with Real Broker who has sold several homes in the area. "There’s good accessibility to shopping, entertainment and parks.” New Jersey Route 33 separates the suburban community from a Revolutionary War battlefield — now a sprawling state park — and many of the 13,600 residents continue to clink glasses at a tavern with roots dating back to 1787. “You’ve got all types of people. You do have people who work locally, and some work in New York,” Sardo says. New York and Philadelphia are both about 90 minutes away, and the Jersey Shore is 30 minutes east.
Freehold Raceway Mall is a regional hub for entertainment and retail
Major shopping centers in the area include the Freehold Raceway Mall, right on the edge of West Freehold. Big-box stores share the indoor shopping center with a variety of restaurants, the Go Playland indoor playground and the local AMC theater. A few minutes away, the outdoor Freehold Mall includes an Aldi and the Route 9 Farmers Market. Along Monmouth Road, Livoti’s Old World Market sells Italian groceries, and Stop & Shop is the next plaza over. Along with modern chains, several older establishments still draw a crowd. Moore’s Tavern & Sports Bar started in 1787 as a stagecoach stop between Philly and New York. It now offers a laid-back vibe with burgers, beer and a stable of TVs. Clarizio’s Italian Ristorante serves Italian fine dining like shrimp scampi and veal saltimbocca.
Homes of all styles sit along West Freehold's suburban streets
Many homes in West Freehold sit on winding suburban streets in communities like Stonehurst West and Stonehurst East. Sidewalks are common, and these suburban properties tend to have large front lawns with space for trees and gardens. “It’s relatively affordable compared to East Freehold,” Sardo says. “There’s a mix of everything from townhomes, apartment complexes, houses — there’s a little bit of everything.” Condos sell for $190,000 to $550,000, and townhouses go for $370,000 to $550,000. Meanwhile, single-family homes built before 1990 sell for $380,000 to $1 million, and newer homes go for $680,000 to $1,380,000. Colonial Revival houses are popular throughout Monmouth County due to the region’s strong association with the American Revolution. Parts of the community fall into the West Freehold Village Historic District, which helps preserve buildings from the 18th century.
West Freehold is full of indoor and outdoor recreation options
Every June, 1,800-acre Monmouth Battlefield State Park hosts a reenactment of the 1778 Battle of Monmouth, an event that draws thousands of visitors and reenactors to Freehold Township. The park’s trails are open year-round for hiking and school trips. The indoor amusement park at iPlay America offers family-friendly fun including bumper cars, laser tag and carnival rides. A bit south of West Freehold, the Manasquan River Linear Park and neighboring Turkey Swamp Park are popular for hikers and kayakers. Stonehurst Park puts a playground, a basketball court and tennis courts at the heart of West Freehold.
Highly rated local schools offer diverse extracurriculars
Students can start at West Freehold’s Laura Donovan Elementary School, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche, before attending the B-plus-rated Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School. Freehold Township High School, which receives an A-minus, offers competitive athletics and other extracurriculars. Its sports teams participate in the A-North Division of the Shore Conference, and its bowling, gymnastics and soccer teams recently won several state and regional championships. The school is also home to the state’s oldest chapter of the Future Farmers of America.
Trains and highways connect West Freehold to bigger cities
Proximity to U.S. Route 9 puts travelers 40 miles from Newark and 50 miles from New York City. Though some commuters opt for a direct drive, others drive 30 minutes to a NJ Transit rail station, then complete the remaining 40 minutes on the train. NJ Transit also offers a bus to Port Authority in just under 2 hours. Philadelphia is 60 miles away via state Route 33 and the New Jersey Turnpike. During the summer, beachgoers can travel 20 miles to reach the amusement park, boardwalk and beaches of Point Pleasant Beach . West Freehold has its own hospital, the CentraState Medical Center.
![Jacob Adelhoch]()
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
![Steve Cuttler]()
Photography Contributed By
Steve Cuttler
