8 Best Small Towns To Retire In New Jersey
Retiring in New Jersey means you are never far from a boardwalk or a battlefield. Cape May has a Victorian mansion built in 1879. Ocean City has a three-mile boardwalk that National Geographic ranked among the country's top ten. Morristown has a national historical park where George Washington spent the winter of 1779. And the smaller towns like Clinton and Highlands are in on it too with a 1810 grist mill on one end of the state and Gunnison Beach on the other. These eight small towns show why a state often dismissed as a commuter strip is one of the most well-rounded retirement options on the East Coast.
Cape May
Cape May is one of New Jersey's best small towns to retire to for a coastal lifestyle and Victorian charms. Located right on the Atlantic Ocean, the town is home to 2.5 miles of the country's best beachfront, where sunny days can be spent relaxing, swimming, and surfing. The beachfront also features designated fishing areas and volleyball facilities, plus lifeguards are available throughout the summer. As one of the oldest Victorian-era towns on the New Jersey coast, Cape May has a long list of historic attractions to delight seniors, including the famous Emlen Physick Estate. Built in 1879, this 18-room mansion offers a glimpse into an authentic Victorian lifestyle with its impressive architecture, original furnishings, decorative art, and beautiful gardens. Additionally, Cape May is a shopper's paradise, featuring Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall with everything from boutique shops to exquisite restaurants. Retirees may also love strolling through this charming area and exploring its many establishments, such as the Cape May Fish Market, which serves a wide variety of seafood.
Highlands
This peaceful waterfront town on Raritan and Sandy Hook Bay sits just 15 miles from New York City. The town is also notable for its low crime rate, making it safe for senior living. The town is a short distance from the Gateway National Recreation Area, particularly the Sandy Hook Unit, home to miles of amazing beaches, including Gunnison Beach, one of the few nude beaches in America. Activities also abound in the recreational area for surf fishing, windsurfing, boating, bird-watching, and hiking. For more adventures, Hartshorne Woods Park is just south of the town center, featuring a sandy beach, a fishing pier at Black Fish Cove, and over 15 miles of trails. Downtown Highlands is highly walkable and full of water views and establishments like Bahrs Landing Famous Seafood Restaurant and Marina, which serves seafood like oysters and clams and offers a marina with transient slips, bait and tackle, and fuel.
Ocean City
Ocean City is the perfect town to retire in New Jersey for those who want to be in the middle of the action year-round. This town is right on the Atlantic Ocean, with 10 miles of some of the best beaches in the country, and the incredibly popular Ocean City Boardwalk. This boardwalk will be a mainstay for retirees here, stretching nearly three miles and lined with everything from family-friendly attractions to diverse food establishments and shops. On a walk here, retirees can stop at Clancy's By The Sea for a meal on the boardwalk or head to Playland's Castaway Cove for classic boardwalk rides and games. The boardwalk also offers easy access to Ocean City Beach, where retirees can relax, sunbathe, people-watch, or simply bask in the vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, Ocean City hosts a couple of attractions that offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the main beachfront, with Corson's Inlet State Park being a notable mention. Also located on the oceanfront, the park is peaceful and a great place to fish, boat, and watch migratory birds, especially during spring and fall.
Middle Township
Situated between Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Middle Township is an attractive destination for an enjoyable coastal retirement. The town is part of the Ocean City metropolitan area, and is notable for its enriching natural attractions, including Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. Just outside town, this refuge is a cool spot to connect with nature by hiking through a maritime forest, salt marsh, and grassland, with excellent opportunities to spot migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge also has a peaceful beach ideal for surf fishing and sunset watching.
The Cape May County Park & Zoo is another premium natural attraction featuring hundreds of animals from around the world, representing over 250 species. Notable animals in the zoo include the giraffe, ostrich, African lion, bald eagle, and the elusive snow leopard. Additionally, the park features nature trails, a fishing pond, an animal carousel, picnic pavilions, and playgrounds for seniors visiting with children. For golf lovers, Middle Township is a paradise with several incredible clubs and courses, including the picture-perfect Avalon Golf Club, an 18-hole course surrounded by lush trees and water. The course is known for its cleanliness, plus there's an event center and a restaurant on site, making this more than just a place for a quick golf session.
And for wine lovers, it is a must to visit Jessie Creek Winery. Located in Dyers Creek, one of the 15 communities that make up Middle Township, this winery offers a diverse array of wines often paired with gourmet food for maximum satisfaction. It also features live weekend music, a gallery showcasing works by local artists, and a historic inn with cozy accommodations featuring private baths and covered porches overlooking beautiful gardens.
Clinton
Clinton is arguably New Jersey's most charming small town, great for a safe retirement, with an incredibly low crime rate. It is located on the South Branch of the Raritan River and offers a peaceful life full of gorgeous scenery and pleasant experiences, such as a relaxing tour of Red Mill Museum Village. Covering 10 acres, this scenic museum complex sits on the river and hosts several historic buildings, including Red Mill. Red Mill is a 1810 four-story grist mill known for its enchanting red color and for its various roles throughout its history, including as a wood and graphite processor.
Strolling the town's peaceful streets is a beloved activity here, with easy access to several local establishments, including the Hunterdon Art Museum, housed in a 19th-century stone mill and featuring craft, design, and contemporary art. For golf lovers, the Beaver Brook Country Club is just outside the town center and is a great place to book a tee time, with its tree-surrounded 18-hole course. Additionally, retirees in Clinton are close to Spruce Run Recreation Area, where they can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The park surrounds Spruce Run Reservoir, New Jersey's third-largest reservoir, and it boasts a swimming beach, boat rentals and launches, dozens of tent and RV campsites, and a considerable number of multi-use trails.
Dover
Dover is a vibrant little town that offers a safe retirement, especially when it comes to health and wellness. This is particularly because it is home to Saint Clare's Dover Hospital, a well-regarded hospital in northern New Jersey offering a wide range of health services, including emergency, cancer, and surgical care. The town is also full of senior-friendly attractions, like Hedden County Park, home to easy trails winding through the woods, along a pond, through streams, and past a waterfall. The pond is open for fishing and boating, and the park features picnic facilities and multiple ball fields. For a more culturally immersive experience, the Dover Little Theatre offers an intimate setting where retirees can relax and enjoy concerts and other events year-round. On top of all of that, Dover is just 37 miles from New York City and 28 miles from Newark, placing some of the country's best features within easy reach. Consider the Newark Museum of Art, home to one of America's most comprehensive art collections, ranging from African to Asian arts and more.
Morristown
Located only 22 miles from Newark, Morristown combines convenience with historical and outdoor recreation to make one of New Jersey's top-tier retirement towns. Founded in 1715, this town is among the country's oldest. It is notable for being home to the Morristown National Historical Park, established in 1933 as the first National Historical Park in the US. The park preserves structures highlighting the area's role in the American Revolutionary War, including the Ford Mansion, which served as the headquarters of General George Washington from late 1779 to mid-1780. The park is also a great place to hike, with over 27 miles of trails through wooded areas.
Across town, retirees can explore several other historical attractions, including the Morris Museum, the second-largest in New Jersey, which houses a comprehensive collection of exhibits ranging from unusual musical instruments to paintings, automata, model train displays, and more. Beyond the historical allure, Morristown is just laid-back and full of cool natural attractions, including the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Nearby, the Loantaka Brook Reservation offers additional outdoor fun. The beautiful 850-acre area boasts shaded picnic areas, fishing spots, and over 10 miles of trails for activities ranging from hiking, biking, and horseback riding to cross-country skiing through lush woodlands.
Sayreville
Sayreville, with its tree-lined streets and numerous green spaces, offers an active retirement lifestyle amid endless natural scenery. The town is located on the southern bank of the Raritan River, close to Raritan Bay, and offers numerous attractions. Nearby, the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park offers an exciting outdoor experience with hiking and biking paths, ball fields, a nature study area, and picnic facilities. The park also offers access to a peaceful beach. Back in downtown Sayreville, retirees will find plenty of entertaining attractions, including Starland Ballroom, a great place to hang out and catch concerts and shows year-round.
New Jersey, America's most densely populated state, has something for everyone. For retirees, especially, this state is a great choice, offering plenty of outdoor recreation, coastal allure, rich history, and, most importantly, convenience. Across the towns above, retirees will find a mix of these appeals, alongside top-notch amenities, such as the highly rated Saint Clare's Dover Hospital, which adds a profound sense of peace of mind to the area. Decide which works best and proceed to retire in one of these best towns in New Jersey today.
