2019 Best Places to Live in Ocean CountyAbout this List

Bay Head

• Suburb in New Jersey

• A-

• A

• 1,011 Population

Point Pleasant Beach

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 25

Current Resident: Point Pleasant Beach is a great town to live in and even visit. The summer is packed with visitors from around tri-state area. The locals love the town as well, with plenty of things to do such as going to the boardwalk, the nearby malls and stores, restaurants, etc.
Read 25 Reviews

• B+

• A

• 4,577 Population

North Beach Haven

• Town in New Jersey
• 4

Niche User: Who wouldn't love to live at the beach! It's a great place to live if you like a small town atmosphere where everyone pretty much knows everyone. It is a fairly safe place to be and there is plenty to do if you are into water sports, boating, fishing and surfing. There is great opportunity to start your own business or to volunteer - especially if you are into protecting the environment. The summer is crazy with the influx of visitors and vacation home owners. It jolts one out of the peace and tranquility of the off season and while it is fun when the island comes alive for those three months it can be a relief when the season ends, the traffic lights go off and the island calms down again.
Read 4 Reviews

• B+

• A-

• 2,103 Population

Surf City

• Town in New Jersey
• 1

Nearby Resident: Surf City is the perfect beach town to be in during the summer. Lots of little shops, the beaches are usually clean and nice. The only thing is the traffic coming over the bridge, especially during the peak of summer. I live in a neighboring town only ten minutes away. During the winter, there is not much to do here, and many shops close.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• A-

• 1,238 Population

Beach Haven

• Town in New Jersey

• B+

• A-

• 1,102 Population

Point Pleasant

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 59

Current Resident: Point Pleasant has been a lovely town to grow up in. It is small and extremely safe. We have a low crime rate and we have a tight bond as a community. Living just minutes away from the beach has also been a blessing. It’s nice to say that I live where other people go to for vacation! In the summer, the streets are packed with children on bikes, families walking their dog, and cars filled with tourists coming down for the weekend. It is a bustling little town in the summer months, since we live right near the Jenkinson’s boardwalk and miles of beautiful beach! I’m very lucky to have grown up here and hope to raise my future family here, as well.
Read 59 Reviews

• B+

• A-

• 18,519 Population

Pine Beach

• Suburb in New Jersey

• B+

• B

• 2,185 Population

Lavallette

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 1

Current Resident: A very quiet, small town to live in during the winter season, but during the summer there are many more people in town. The town has many very pretty views and small parks. There are always people walking their dogs and riding bikes when the weather is nice.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• A+

• 2,042 Population

Manahawkin

• Town in New Jersey
• 33

Current Resident: It has great eateries, located near the shore, and has something to do for all ages! The Regional school offers an abundance of extra curricular activities and vocational outlets. Plenty of chain restaurants and shopping centers for your everyday needs. Located ten miles from Long Beach Island, the number one family vacation on the east coast!
Read 33 Reviews

• B

• B+

• 2,375 Population

Toms River

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 179

Current Resident: There are several nice places in Toms River, but there are also places to stay away from.The town is very big and its hard to sum it all into one review because it changes depending on where you are. There are many great places to eat and shop, theres always something to do around the town and it is very close to the beach!
Read 179 Reviews

• B

• B

• 88,707 Population

Dover Beaches South

• Suburb in New Jersey

• B

• B

• 1,168 Population

Island Heights

• Suburb in New Jersey

• B

• B-

• 1,581 Population

Beach Haven West

• Town in New Jersey

• B

• B+

• 3,857 Population

Dover Beaches North

• Suburb in New Jersey

• B-

• B

• 1,540 Population

Ocean Acres

• Town in New Jersey
• 42

Niche User: I love the area in which I grew up and live. It is just a short 10 minute drive to the ocean and has many great seasonal restaurants. There are many large parks for younger children to play and paths for people to walk. The land itself is beautiful. However, in the winter it is a rather quiet town and there are not many activities to partake in. The standard movies, bowling and quick restaurants are what people look forward to on the weekends. But in the summer it's the place to be. I cannot imagine myself living far from the Jersey shore when I grow up.
Read 42 Reviews

• B-

• B+

• 16,227 Population

Seaside Park

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 7

Former Resident: Grew up in beautiful Seaside Park. Walk to the beach was a block away, same distance to the bay.Watersports are classic.Peaceful, friendly, loving place to be raised in.School there brings warmth in joy to every family. History alone us magnificent. Right next to Seaside park
You have the Heights, which brings rides, arcades, jobs.
Read 7 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• 1,566 Population

Vista Center

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 2

• B-

• A-

• 2,350 Population

Brick Township

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 187

Current Resident: Brick Township is an amazing place to live, especially with a family! It is very safe and there are innumerable families around. Not to mention we have our own public beach and are right next to the famous Point Pleasant and Seaside. Great location with all four beautiful seasons. The public schools are pretty old but the education offered is pretty good. Overall Brick is a wonderful town.
Read 187 Reviews

• B-

• C+

• 75,118 Population

Beachwood

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 34

Current Resident: Moved to Beachwood under 5 years ago , town is wonderful. Beachwood is one of those hidden gems. I think the word is getting out about out little community and more and more people are starting to move in especially with some new construction going on the homes are being bought up very quickly. Very quiet town and great walking and biking town. Come and explore Beachwood while its still affordable.
Read 34 Reviews

• C+

• B

• 11,193 Population

Pine Lake Park

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 13

Niche User: Secluded, but not. We are 15 minutes from the beach, the mall, the woods, an amusement park, and many other attractions. We have everything we need off the major roads and we are living nice in our suburban community. The only thing that bothers me is the heroine problem in the town next door
Read 13 Reviews

• C+

• B-

• 8,732 Population

New Egypt

• Town in New Jersey
• 4

Current Resident: New Egypt is a wonderful small town. There are great public schools with teachers who truly care for their students. There is not much to actually do in the city, with the closest large attraction being Great Adventure, which is minutes away. New Egypt is a safe, family-friendly town. Though, the area is not too diverse, and its at least a 30 minute drive to any reasonable grocery store or shops.
Read 4 Reviews

• C+

• B+

• 2,421 Population

Barnegat

• Town in New Jersey
• 6

Current Resident: Barnegat is a great family friendly town. There is lots to do and it's in a great location! Our town is getting even better with new and improved parks, shops and restaurants.
Read 6 Reviews

• C+

• C+

• 2,728 Population

Forked River

• Town in New Jersey
• 11

Current Resident: Forked River was a great town to grow up- lots of lakes, parks, and woods to play in. Now, it's getting very built up- lots of traffic on the main roads all the time. Also, there is a big heroin problem, local cops really focus on low level pot smokers and waste resources.
Read 11 Reviews

• C+

• C+

• 4,789 Population

Tuckerton

• Town in New Jersey
• 9

Nearby Resident: Organized trash and recyclable pick-up, multiple state and local police always on patrol, always events happening at the Tuckerton Seaport and community events in the town! Love the new Walmart in the Little Egg Harbor area and Tuckerton has nice antique and small local shops. Need more variety in shopping plazas and nightlife.
Read 9 Reviews

• C+

• C+

• 3,371 Population

South Toms River

• Suburb in New Jersey
• 13

Former Resident: I grew up in South Toms River. I moved during my third year in high school but not far. I moved to Toms River. However, living there from 2001 to roughly 2012 shaped me into the person i am today. The community itself is very close with one another and to me is the real definition of what a neighborhood should be like.
Read 13 Reviews

• C+

• B

• 3,741 Population