2021 Best Places to Live in Ocean County

Bay Head

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Truly the only detriment to the town is the noise from Route 35, which runs right through the center. Bay Head is absolutely lovely, very green - most of the town has some tree cover and the streets are lined with trees and flowerpots. There are loads of cute little shops you can go into if you are a tourist or if you are exploring the town. There are four churches: one Methodist, one Episcopalian, one Catholic, and one non-denominational Christian. The Methodist church has the most beautiful bells that it plays all the time. The beach is small but nice. The community is pretty close-knit...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 1,048 Population

Point Pleasant Beach

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Point Pleasant Beach for the past 8 years, and attended the public high school. I have also worked at a number of restaurants and stores in the area. Point Beach is a lovely town, and I have enjoyed living here. ...In the summer there is a lot of traffic that comes through because there is so much to do in town! Plenty of great restaurants and bars, and the community comes together to support small local businesses. ...Everyone knows everyone in the Beach, as it is a small town. But living only minutes from the beach- life in the Beach "bubble" is not so bad.Read 33 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 4,537 Population

Beach Haven

Current Resident: I have lived here for eighteen years and could not imagine living anywhere else. I stayed during Super Storm Sandy and watched my house flood. This was definitely the worst part of living on such a great island. It was devastating, but the way the community came together was extraordinary...Read 1 Review

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 1,090 Population

Point Pleasant

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 4.16 out of 5  70 reviews

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 70 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 18,598 Population

Lavallette

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 4.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Growing up in a small vacation town certainly has it's pros and it's cons. We call it "The Bubble" for a reason. The town provides the safety end education that enables a child to remain innocent for duration longer than most. The winter is quiet and you become accustom to quiet streets, accessibility to stores and restaurants, as well as blinking lights in town. Come summer and the streets are so packed it's hard to find parking, there are no available reservations for restaurants and every house is overflowing with vacationers. What a unique place to grow up!...Read 8 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 2,155 Population

Surf City

Current Resident: Surf City is a good place to live in NJ. All locations in the town are close to the beach and ocean and the bay. It has an excellent library and good eateries and stores. It's a small town which is nice. Real estate taxes are reasonable. It has a good police department and beach patrol. Housing is a bit expensive because it's located on Long Beach Island which is a highly desired community. It is a very family friendly community. Transportation is convenient, with major highways close by. Very good environment for raising children...Read 2 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 1,271 Population

Ship Bottom

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 1,049 Population

Toms River

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.61 out of 5  203 reviews

Current Resident: So many experiences are right at one's fingertips here in Toms River. Whether one wants to relax at the beach, hike some trails, go crabbing, stock up on books at the library, or enjoy a dinner cruise on the river, there's definitely something for everyone. Toms River is home to many unique restaurants that offer great pizza, delectable hand-churned ice cream, and scrumptious seafood. The nearby boardwalks, complete with arcades, rides, and miniature golf, present entertainment and refreshment for everyone. The YMCA provides an opportunity to work out while developing friendships and strengthening the community. Toms River boasts a strong school system with high standards, dedicated teachers, and a diverse student body. Toms River is really a wonderful place to live. If anything could improve, it would be the traffic; but then again, everyone else must think it's a great place to come to, as well!...Read 203 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• 89,254 Population

Manahawkin

Current Resident: I love the town I live in. I am close enough to the beach (within 10 minutes) to every day if I wanted to. I can also fish in the local lakes and hunt in the neighnoring areas. Manahawkin also has many events for its residents throughout the year. The school system is great!...Read 44 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• 2,094 Population

North Beach Haven

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

• grade B

• grade B+

• 2,128 Population

Pine Beach

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: The small one square mile town is perfect for any family who likes simplicity. Pine Beach has a bike path, perfect to take a walk on or ride a bike on. It also has the local elementary school, a park, and the bay right down the road. The town is always well maintained and you always see friendly neighbors when out in the town. I practically spent my whole childhood growing up in Pine Beach and have always loved it. I urge families who like a peaceful yet friendly atmosphere to check out our little local town for themselves, so they can witness the beauty of it as well!...Read 3 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 2,278 Population

Dover Beaches South

• Suburb in New Jersey

• grade B

• grade B

• 1,243 Population

Island Heights

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Island Heights.We moved here from Hainesport, NJ (which Niche rates better, an A) - but we love it here.Our neighbors in Island Heights are so incredibly kind and inviting. They treat our son like their own, and invite us to their gatherings.We have access to the river & bay, we're 10 minutes from the beach and Seaside Heights. But because it is a small town, there is no summer crowd to contend with (like you get in Point Pleasant or other beach towns)...The community does trend older, and most of our immediate neighbors are retirees. But we are meeting more and more families, and the grade school is a Blue Ribbon school.Love it here.Read 2 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 1,497 Population

Beach Haven West

Current Resident: Moved here in the beginning of 2019 and never looked back. 2 minutes one way you have beautiful LBI and 2 minutes the other way you have all the stores you need on 72. This little town is a beautiful waterfront paradise with all professionals. Everyone is always out walking, running or biking. Everyone seems to be happy all the time and I now see why. If you can afford to live here, do not hesitate! Moving here was the best decision we ever made...Read 1 Review

• grade B

• grade B+

• 3,682 Population

Ocean Acres

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

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 17,333 Population

Brick Township

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.73 out of 5  209 reviews

Current Resident: Brick Township, NJ is a centrally located town in Ocean County, NJ. We are close to three major cities, beautiful beaches, and quaint small towns. We have four major airports all within an hour. The school system are great, however, next year there are elementary schools that are closing due to budget cuts. We have many major retail stores and many small businesses, bars, and restaurants. Homes are around $230k for a single family starter home and a few town home and apartment developments. We have gyms over 10 different gyms. Our parks are all newly renovated. Our roads are better than average, and I have only had great experiences with the municipality employees. Overall, I love living in Brick!...Read 209 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 75,342 Population

Beachwood

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.8 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: Great, little community. It's so diverse in both age and race which is awesome. People here are old-fashion friendly, neighborly and hospitable which make it feel extra homey. Prices are great, especially for starting a family or first time buyers. The best part is they vote red here so it's all-around a true American town!...Read 44 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 11,226 Population

Seaside Park

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Seaside Park is a wonderful town near Seaside Heights. It is the cleaner, nicer version of the Heights.Read 8 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 1,628 Population

Cedar Glen West

• Suburb in New Jersey

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 1,300 Population

South Toms River

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.29 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: It's a little town with a bad reputation. Every town has their problems. However, our little town has a strong community. Everyone knows each other and many people don't move. The woman down the road has lived down the street from me for 30 years. She walks past the house and waves and we a...Read 17 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 3,648 Population

Dover Beaches North

• Suburb in New Jersey

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 1,756 Population

Cedar Glen Lakes

• Suburb in New Jersey

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• 1,549 Population

Forked River

Current Resident: Quaint town filled with plenty of nature hot spots. With "towny" local businesses, there is a pleasant sense of community.Read 16 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C+

• 4,761 Population

Pine Lake Park

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.6 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: Great place to live! Near the cities (about an hour away from New York & Philadelphia), beaches, amusement park, no crime to speak of, and plenty of stores!Read 15 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B

• 8,427 Population

Seaside Heights

• Suburb in New Jersey
• Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Barrier island ( actually a Peninsula) bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Barnegat Bay On the other. Hit hard by Sandy in 2012, and then the fire on the Boardwalk in following Months, Seaside Heights is enjoying a quiet, paced, come back. The North end is under development with newer homes and condos, while the mid Seaside area is experiencing revitalization with remodeled or renovated homes. The town council is quick to shed “The Jersey Shore” image with Snooki and friends, and has committed to a quieter, family oriented way of life. While not fully there in aspiration, the real estate market has seen appreciation and enthusiasm in recent times. If a quiet, simple, Seashore Way of life appeals to you, try the North End of Seaside Heights...Read 7 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• 2,892 Population