The Wildwoods have charms beyond their beach-season excitement
Occupying the island of Five Mile Beach along the southern Jersey Shore, the Wildwoods are known for their boardwalks, amusement parks and their claim to be “the Birthplace of Rock and Roll”; rock’s first chart-topper, “Rock Around the Clock,” was first performed here. Over 13,000 people live in the Wildwoods, which include Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the tiny communities of West Wildwood and Diamond Beach. The tourism industry forms the backbone of the economy, especially in the form of the Wildwoods’ many hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. “Wildwood has a lot of entertainment, including a very popular water park with slides,” says Dick Saari, the former President of the Board of Directors of Friends of Lake Lily and a longtime Cape May County resident. “Most of Wildwood’s restaurants have wonderful, fresh fish and oysters; they’re right out of the water.” During the summer months, the Wildwoods’ population multiplies by nearly 1,823% to 250,000 people. Though the Wildwoods can get quiet once beach season is over, a stable community of local employees and retirees keep the Wildwoods inhabited year-round.
Residents of The Wildwoods flock to The Two Mile Landing Crab House for drinks and the freshest seafoods.
The Wildwoods is a quiet community with laid back winters and thriving summers filled with tourists.
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Historic properties and newer homes sit along the same streets in the Wildwoods
Once a barrier island used for fishing and agriculture, Wildwood transformed into a resort town from the 1880s to 1920s, a process completed by the arrival of the Garden State Parkway in the 1950s. While a few Colonial Revival and bungalow homes built from the 1880s to 1940s sit along the Wildwoods’ streets, the majority of the local housing stock was built in the 1950s and beyond. Original-quality residences built before the 1940s tend to sell for between $315,000 and $880,000, while refurbished 1940s homes sell for prices similar to residences built since the 2000s, ranging in price from $740,000 to $2.3 million. In addition to detached properties, the Wildwoods are also home to scores of shared living spaces. Condos built from the 1950s to 2000 have sold for between $125,000 to $850,000, while those built since 2000 range in price from $250,000 to $1.5 million. Wildwood’s streets are grid-patterned and juxtapose beach condos with smaller, fully detached properties.
American four squares in The Wildwoods have large front porches letting locals take advantage of the sea breeze.
Classic Cape Cods have great beach vibe minutes away from the coast.
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A miles-long boardwalk and expanding waterfront host thousands of beachgoers every summer
The Wildwoods are most famous for their beaches and boardwalks, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors during the summer months. Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, built in 1969, include more than 100 attractions from a “Ghost Ship” horror attraction to the looping Sea Serpent rollercoaster. A boardwalk lined with snack shops and restaurants connects these rides and offers access to a vast stretch of free-to-the-public beachfront. “The beaches there are beautiful. They’ve been replenished by the Army Corps of Engineers so that they’re wider,” Saari says. “Wildwood’s beaches are so wide that people have to be taken there by a cart.” This locally famous tram car system runs up and down Wildwood’s two-mile-long boardwalk, shuttling visitors along Wildwood’s expanding beachfronts. Beach season also sees Centennial Park host live music events, while Crest Pier becomes a prime fishing venue. Even when the summer crowds disperse, year-round residents still have plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. A section of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge occupies the island’s southern tip, and boardwalks lead into preserved dunes where shorebird chicks are hatched. Sunset Lake Park takes its name from its picturesque views of sunsets illuminating the nearby lake, and abundant green spaces create opportunities for sunset picnics.
Diners in The Wildwoods can grab a slice on the go or sit ocean side at Franconi's Pizza.
The Boardwalk at Morey's Pier has a full waterpark and plenty of rides to enjoy in The Wildwoods.
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Vintage and retro restaurants tell the story of this midcentury resort area
This island’s beachfront entertainment scene is matched by an equally bustling small business environment. Larkin’s Restaurant, in business since the 1950s, is the oldest family-owned restaurant in the Wildwoods. Open year-round, this vintage eatery serves up hearty breakfasts as customers use old-school jukeboxes to pick their favorite classic songs. The Doo Wop Diner also pays tribute to the Wildwoods’ abundance of ’50s-built motels and eateries with its retro theme, sporting neon lights, framed photographs of midcentury cultural icons like Elvis and a traditional bar area. Beyond Wildwood’s downtown area, other restaurants offer unique dining experiences. The Two Mile Crab House & Crush Bar, located across from the wildlife refuge and along the Jarvis Sound, allows customers to dock their boats and feast on seafood and cocktails. Home cooks don’t have to travel far to stock up on supplies; the Wildwoods are home to two Acme supermarkets in addition to a handful of Mexican food stores.
Kohr Brothers has been serving soft frozen custard and homemade ice cream in The Wildwoods for over a hundred years.
The Wildwoods locals can take a hike at Two Mile Beach Nature Trail runs along the Atlantic ocean.
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Schools in Wildwood
Wildwood’s students can start their education at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, which receives a C from Niche, before going on to attend the C-rated Wildwood Middle School. Wildwood High School, which receives a B-minus, previously received a Blue Ribbon award from the Department of Education and offers a student-teacher ratio nearly half that of the national average.
Wildwood High School is conveniently located right in the middle of the island.
Younger students will continue their education at Wildwood Middle School.
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The Wildwoods has a high risk of flooding
Due to their location along the Atlantic coast, the Wildwoods are assessed by First Street to have an extreme risk of flooding and a severe storm wind factor. Communities like North Wildwood have set up websites dedicated to hurricane preparedness, helping residents plan for the occasional severe weather event.
Getting around (and out of) town
The Wildwoods sit just a 5-minute drive from the Garden State Parkway, which provides direct access to other major coastal points from Cape May in the south to Ocean City and Atlantic City to the north and, 2 hours and 30 minutes to the north, New York City itself. Philadelphia is an hour and a half’s drive up the parkway and along the Atlantic City Expressway. Healthcare is never far from home; the Wildwoods are home to a campus of Cape Regional Urgent Care as well as a local dentistry practice.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
The Wildwoods
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
The Wildwoods Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Wildwoods, Wildwood sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in The Wildwoods, Wildwood over the last 12 months is $615,750, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the best of North Wildwood with this massive ocean front bi-level condo! Water views from every room and perfectly designed for entertaining. Featuring over 2500 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the open concept layout offers seamless flow between the kitchen, dining and living area. Watch the sunrise over the ocean from your private balcony or step out to the pool- all with
BEACH FRONT CONDO FOR SALE!! 2 beds/1 bath Direct Ocean Front Everything has been redone in this beautiful condo in the last 2 years New Front door New Floors New Bathroom New appliances New Kitchen New Patio door New heater New AC Conveniently located at the quiet, southern end of Wildwood’s, “World Famous Boardwalk,” bordering Wildwood Crest. Ocean Towers offers private Balconies and
Experience the best of North Wildwood with this rare opportunity to own an oversized townhome with OCEAN VIEWS and a rooftop deck. Located 1 block to the beach, this 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath condo checks all the boxes. Massive two car garage, additional two car off street parking spaces plus plenty of storage space for all your beach gear. Walk through your private entrance, past the professional
Welcome to your Wildwood Crest getaway! Feel at home in this adorable 2-bedroom house, offering a perfect blend of comfort and beach charm, just steps from the beach.This home offers an open-concept living area with comfortable seating, a large TV, and plenty of natural light. The fully equipped modern kitchen includes all cookware and dishes, a toaster, blender, Keurig coffee maker and ample
BEAUTIFUL AND SPACIOUS 1800 SQ FT 3 BEDROOM AND 2.5 BATH TOWNHOUSE IN A GREAT LOCATION IS AVAILABLE FOR YEARLY RENTAL! LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, EAT-IN-KITCHEN, MASTERBEDROOM AND BATH, DECKS, 2 CAR GARAGE AND MORE! ONLY 2 BLOCKS TO BOARDWALK, BEACH AND OCEAN!
Nestled in the heart of Wildwood, feel at home in this 3-bedroom townhouse that comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests.This home features a fully stocked modern kitchen, Smart TVs, and a private balcony with a seating area. The open-concept living area includes plush seating and plenty of natural light. The fully equipped modern kitchen features stainless steel appliances, all cookware and
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
