9 Charming New Jersey Communities To Retire Around Newark
The Garden State is an attractive option for many retirees. Its natural beauty, proximity to major East Coast cities, low sales tax rate, and the fact that the state does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level are all draws to retire to New Jersey. There are many small towns in New Jersey within two hours of Newark that are ideal for retirement. Whether you are looking to retire near the shore or in the pine barrens, you can find a town that fits your needs. Read on to discover these nine towns within a two-hour drive of Newark, each of which is recommended for relocation for retirees for various reasons.
Lambertville
In Hunterdon County, along the Delaware River, sits the small town of Lambertville, with a population of just over 4,000, 30% of whom are over the age of 65. Many have retired here because of its easy access to Philadelphia, which is just under an hour's drive away. Newark is about an hour from Lambertville as well. Median home prices in Lambertville are above the state's average of around $500,000, at $679,000, per Realtor.com. Despite that, some feel that the small town's benefits outweigh the cost when it comes to retiring in Lambertville.
Lambertville's riverfront setting and walkable downtown area appeal to many seniors. Historic homes, walking paths, protected open space, art galleries like the Artists' Gallery, and one of the largest antique markets in the area, the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, all draw visitors to the town. Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Pennington is just 10 miles away and can service most seniors' medical requirements. The Hunterdon County Senior Center has a coordinator in Lambertville to help seniors in need of services and to help them find socialization activities. It is easy to see why Lambertville has been recognized for its beauty and small-town welcoming attitude by both Forbes magazine and USAToday.
Southampton Township
Southampton Township is located in Burlington County, south-central New Jersey, within the Pinelands National Reserve, providing acres of natural beauty during all times of the year. Almost a third of the population of this town of just over 10,000 residents is over the age of 65. For those who want to purchase a home here, median prices are less than the state average, at $389,000. A large retirement community, LeisureTowne, with housing options for those 55 and over, is also in Southampton Township and presents an attractive alternative for some retirees.
In addition to the large amount of open space and preserved lands in the township, the unique, historic village of Vincentown, at the center of the township, attracts many visitors. Founded in 1743, Vincentown is on the National Register of Historic Places and provides visitors with an interesting look into the area's heritage. Southampton Township is just over an hour from Newark and about an hour and a half from New York City. Virtua Mount Holly Hospital is just five miles away in Mount Holly for medical needs. The rural, small-town atmosphere of Southampton Township, combined with relatively affordable housing, draws many retirees to move here.
Tinton Falls
The borough of Tinton Falls is in Monmouth County and is home to just over 19,000 residents, a quarter of whom are over the age of 65. Tinton Falls is just an hour south of New York City and 45 minutes from Newark. Over 89 walking trails covering 757 miles are within the Tinton Falls area, perfect for seniors who cherish outdoor time. Median home prices here are $550,000, the same as the state average. Senior living communities, such as Arbor Terrace Shrewsbury, are also offered as housing options.
The Monmouth County Department of Aging provides senior transportation to those in town who need it. Veterans will appreciate the fact that the Tinton Falls VA Clinic is located in town. The Encompass Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital is also in Tinton Falls for those in need of rehab or nursing services. Shoppers may enjoy perusing the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls, featuring brands such as Brooks Brothers, Aerie, and Old Navy. The proximity of big city amenities, coupled with a small-town atmosphere, entice many retirees to move to Tinton Falls.
Phillipsburg
The most populated town in Warren County, Phillipsburg, along the Delaware River, is a community of just over 15,000, 15% of whom are over 65. It is about an hour from Newark and halfway between Philadelphia and New York City. Phillipsburg is described as a close-knit, welcoming community set among rolling hills, woodlands, and flowing waters. It has a quaint downtown waterfront shopping district, with shops such as Auset Gypsy and Glass House and restaurants like Rapaen Cuisine. With median home prices an affordable $300,000, many retirees enjoy spending the extra money they save in Phillipsburg's downtown area.
The Phillipsburg New Jersey Railroad provides excursions via steam locomotive, antique diesel, or railcar along the Delaware River. St. Luke's Hospital-Warren Campus in Phillipsburg serves the community's medical needs. The Phillipsburg Senior Center provides meals, activities, and services for seniors. Phillipsburg's small- town feel and proximity to larger city amenities makes it an attractive relocation spot for many retirees.
Roseland
The borough of Roseland in Essex County is home to just over 6,000 residents, 23% of whom are over age 65. Just 20 minutes northwest of Newark, and 40 minutes northwest of New York City, Roseland is the ideal small town that is still within easy reach of the big cities. The town is proud of its recreation center, containing three baseball fields, volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and an ice-skating rink. These may appeal to retirees who are sports- and fitness-minded.
While Roseland's median home price of $764,000 is above the state average, the town makes up for that with its charm. Additionally, Roseland has one of the lowest tax rates in Essex County. The friendly, welcoming neighborhoods in Roseland are well-known and are one of the reasons that people of all ages choose to relocate here. Access to top-notch medical centers, such as Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, four miles away in Livingston, is another reason. The Roseland Senior Society sponsors trips, gatherings, and activities for active seniors in town. All of these reasons add up to many retirees making a positive decision to move to Roseland.
Caldwell
Also in Essex County, Caldwell, just 20 miles west of New York City and 12 miles northwest of Newark, has just over 9,000 residents, 19% of whom are over the age of 65. Median home prices are a bit higher than the state average, at $699,000. Caldwell's popular downtown area features unique shops like Fresco Market, restaurants such as Calandra's Italian Village, and coffee houses like Rock'n'Joe Coffee Bar, and attracts people of all ages to the town. Caldwell is also home to Caldwell University, which offers a tuition discount to seniors over age 62 pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
Hospitals near Caldwell include Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, just four miles away. The North Caldwell Seniors meet once a month for lunch and presentations. For those who wish to live among other retirees, Crane's Mill is a popular senior living community in Caldwell. Its 48 acres include live entertainment, fitness classes, and swimming for residents. Caldwell's young-at-heart atmosphere, combined with its many amenities for seniors, creates the ideal environment in which to retire.
Monroe Township
In southern Middlesex County, you will find Monroe Township in the Raritan Valley region of the state. Its population of just over 48,000 includes 39% of residents over age 65. Median home prices are lower than the state average here, at $348,266. Just an hour from both Philadelphia and New York City and 45 minutes from Newark, Monroe Township is quite welcoming to retirees. There are also many retirement communities in Monroe Township as living options, including Stonebridge Monroe and Monroe Village.
Monroe Township offers retirees much outdoor space and recreational opportunities, including Thompson Park, Etsch Farms, and Happy Day Farm. The closest hospital to Monroe Township is Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center in Old Bridge, six miles away. The Monroe Township Senior Center provides programming, activities, and services for older adults in the township. The township also maintains a "Do Not Knock" registry that retirees may opt into if they want to prevent solicitors and others from coming to their homes. This handy registry is just one of the enticements for retirees to move to Monroe Township.
Berkeley Township
Extending from New Jersey's Jersey Shore westward into the Pine Barrens, Berkeley Township in Ocean County could be described as a haven for retirees. Of its just over 43,000 residents, 41.8% are over the age of 65, indicating that there are some very good reasons to retire to Berkeley Township. One of those reasons is St. Francis Senior Services, found in the Berkeley Office at Town Hall. This program offers outreach and benefits counseling for seniors in need, as well as caregiver support. Additionally, the Recreation Center offers senior activities and programs, including bus trips, for those over age 65.
Berkeley Township is famous for housing Tucker's Island Lighthouse on Tuckerton Creek, a popular attraction. Just an hour and a half from New York City and one hour from Newark, median home prices in Berkeley Township are an affordable $370,000. Medical centers in Berkeley Township include Holiday City Medical Center and CityMD Berkeley Heights. A top-notch rehabilitation center, Crystal Lake Healthcare and Rehabilitation, also exists in Berkeley Township for those in need of its services. It is easy to see why Berkeley Township appeals to many retirees who are looking to relocate.
Manchester Township
Also in Ocean County, in the New Jersey Pinelands, Manchester Township houses just over 45,000 people, 47.8% of them over the age of 65. With almost half of its population comprised of senior citizens, there are many attractions for retirees to relocate here. Manchester Township is in between Philadelphia and New York City, about an hour's drive to each and an hour and a half's drive to Newark. The Manchester Senior Services Department offers information and assistance to those over the age of 65. Every other Monday, the Manchester Township Senior Social Program meets for socialization and events.
Affordable median home prices of $287,500 are another draw to retirees to move to Manchester Township. Outdoor recreation at Harry Wright Park and beautiful art and architecture at Cathedral of the Air are two popular attractions in the township. Medical centers in the township are plentiful, including Community Medical Center, Garden State Medical Center, and Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center. History buffs may enjoy the fact that Manchester Township is the site of Lakehurst Naval Air Station, the site of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. These are just some of the many reasons retirees are moving to Manchester Township.
Each of these nine small towns in New Jersey holds its own charm. They all retain their small-town atmosphere yet are close enough to Newark and other larger cities for convenience and ease of access to larger city amenities. Whether you choose to retire to the wooded beauty of Southampton or if you prefer living near the coast in Berkeley Township, you will discover that moving to any of these towns may help you to fully enjoy your retirement years.
