I would like to take a lesson from the “Airbnb factor” and apply it to our seasonal rentals. Airbnb began in 2008 with two people deciding to share their space with travelers wanting to explore their town. Here too, you will find people who want to share their home with others who want to come experience their towns.
For some, it may be a good financial decision and for others, it may be an opportunity for them to leave their home and explore other areas of the world. Here at the New Jersey Shore, all of our beach towns have people ready to share. What better way to understand the culture of a town before purchasing?
You can live like a local from just a week to a month to an entire summer season. You can relax on the beaches, shop in the stores, dine in the restaurants, and enjoy the local theater. What I like most about my market area is that each town has a unique personality and a price point from the simple to the sublime.
I would like to introduce you to some of these towns and the range of rentals you may find there. All the towns offer dining opportunities and pristine beaches with daily beach rates around the $10 range. What is especially unique is that, although there are many towns along our shore, most are just a square mile, so walking, biking, or driving from one to the next is a breeze. The beach and downtown are all within reach.
Check out the websites for the calendar of events. You can live in one and experience them all!
SPRING LAKE: Spring Lake homes are for the most part single-family with many bed-and-breakfasts scattered about. The historic home tours are a big draw year-round. Downtown offers many clothing boutiques, a theater, and a few restaurants. There is one boutique restaurant on the beach, but lunch food is available on the boardwalk. Home rental prices range from $11,000 to $50,000 per month and $3,000 to $10,000 per week. Visit www.springlakeboro.org for more information.
SEA GIRT: Sea Girt homes vary from the smaller original Sea Girters to newer, larger homes. Some have swimming pools. The historic lighthouse is a great place to visit. The boardwalk is very quiet with lunch food. Home rental prices range from $14,000 to $55,000 per month and $4,500 to $7,500 per week. Visit www.seagirtboro.com for more information.
BELMAR: Belmar has multimillion-dollar homes as well as smaller and multifamily homes and condos. Most of the rentals in this market are in the smaller homes and condos. The beach scene is younger with a few restaurants and bars on Ocean Avenue. Home rental prices range from $10,000 to $25,000 per month and $1350 to $7000 per week. Visit www.belmar.com for more information.
BRADLEY BEACH: Bradley Beach is a family town with many condos, multifamily and single-family homes. There are concerts in the gazebo on the boardwalk and a vibrant downtown. There are a few places to grab a bite to eat along Ocean Avenue. Home rental prices range from $6,200 to $6,600 per month and $2500 to $3000 per week. Visit www.bradleybeachnj.gov for more information.
OCEAN GROVE: The most unique feature of Ocean Grove is the Great Auditorium and Historic Methodist Camp. This is a wonderful historical town owned by the Methodist Church. Offering services and concerts throughout the year, it is truly a unique experience. Home rental prices range from $8,500 to $12,000 per month and $2,700 to $3,000 per week. Visit www.oceangrove.org for more information.
ASBURY PARK: Asbury Park offers a very vibrant downtown with great bars, bistros, high-end restaurants, and shops. It is a frequent destination for all the surrounding communities. The boardwalk is beautiful offering views of historic buildings as well as a number of fine restaurants. Home rental prices range from $6,500 to $15,,000 per month and $2,000 to $3,200 per week. Visit www.cityofasburypark.com for more information.
AVON-BY-THE-SEA: Avon is one of our smaller towns. It has a great boardwalk with a lovely restaurant overlooking the ocean. Once again, the town is scattered with condos, multifamily, and single-family homes as well as bed-and-breakfasts. Home rental prices range from $12,000-30,000 per month and $4,000 to $7,000 per week. Visit http://www.avonbytheseanj.com for more information.
MANASQUAN: Manasquan has a whole beach scene on the other side of the Glimmer Glass Bridge. Head downtown, and shop and dine the many wonderful options. Manasquan has a very active business district, and the list of activities is endless. Home rental prices range from $25,000 to $35,000 per month and $2,500 to $5,800 per week. Visit www.manasquan-nj.com for more information.
