Not All 55+ Communities Are the Same: How to Compare Your Ocean County Options

Not All 55+ Communities Are the Same

Ocean County offers an extraordinary variety of 55+ Active Adult communities. At first glance, many may seem similar—but once you begin looking closely, the differences can be significant.

Some communities have thousands of homes and extensive recreational facilities. Others are smaller and quieter. Some offer detached single-family homes, while others feature attached homes or condominiums. You can find golf communities, communities with extensive clubhouses and activities, and communities designed around a simpler, lower-maintenance lifestyle.

That's why choosing a 55+ community shouldn't begin with just finding a house you like.

It should begin by asking:

“What kind of community and lifestyle do I want for the next chapter of my life?”

At JMMecchia.com, we're developing individual pages for Ocean County's 55+ communities to make it easier to research and compare your options before you begin visiting homes.

1. Start With the Type of Home You Want

One of the biggest differences among Ocean County's 55+ communities is the type of housing available.

For example, communities such as Four Seasons at Lakewood offer detached single-family homes and extensive amenities.

Other established communities, including Original Leisure Village and Leisure Village East in Lakewood, offer different styles of primarily attached, low-maintenance residences.

In the Berkeley and Toms River areas, the Holiday City and Silver Ridge communities provide still more choices in home styles, models, price ranges and community settings.

Before choosing a community, consider:

  • Do you want a detached home or would you prefer an attached residence?

  • Is one-floor living important?

  • How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you really need?

  • Is a garage important?

  • Would you like a smaller home with less upkeep?

  • Do you want a completely updated home, or would you consider making improvements yourself?

Determining the type of home you want can quickly narrow a long list of communities into a much more manageable group.

And remember—the best choice isn't necessarily the largest or most expensive home. It's the home and community that best fit how you want to live.

2. Compare the Amenities—and Decide Which Ones You Will Actually Use

Amenities are one of the biggest differences among Ocean County's 55+ communities.

Some communities offer extensive clubhouses, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, golf, pickleball, tennis, bocce and a full calendar of clubs and social activities.

Other communities offer fewer amenities and a simpler lifestyle—which may be exactly what some homeowners prefer.

For example, a golfer may place communities with golf facilities high on the list. Someone else may never use a golf course but consider a swimming pool, fitness center or active clubhouse essential.

Ask yourself:

  • Will I actually use a clubhouse?

  • Is swimming important to me?

  • Do I want golf, pickleball, bocce or fitness facilities?

  • Am I looking for an active social calendar?

  • Would I rather live in a quieter community with fewer amenities?

Don't choose a community simply because it has the longest list of amenities. Choose one that offers the amenities and lifestyle you will actually enjoy.

3. Look Beyond the HOA or Association Fee

Monthly association or maintenance fees can vary considerably from one 55+ community to another.

But simply comparing the dollar amount doesn't tell the whole story.

You also need to understand what you receive for that fee.

Depending on the community, fees and services may involve items such as:

  • Lawn or common-area maintenance

  • Snow removal

  • Exterior maintenance

  • Clubhouse and recreational facilities

  • Community management

  • Certain utilities or services

  • Community security or gated entrances

The exact services vary by community and can change, so buyers should always verify current fees and what they cover before purchasing.

A community with a higher monthly fee isn't automatically more expensive if that fee includes services you would otherwise pay for separately. Likewise, paying for extensive amenities you don't expect to use may not be the best fit for you.

The important question isn't simply:

“How much is the monthly fee?”

It's:

“What am I receiving for the fee, and is it valuable to me?”

4. Location Matters—Even Within Ocean County

Finding the right 55+ community isn't only about the home and amenities. Location can make an enormous difference in your everyday life.

Ocean County's active adult communities are spread throughout areas including Toms River, Berkeley Township, Manchester and Whiting, Lakewood, Brick, Barnegat, Jackson, Lacey, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor.

Before choosing a community, think about how close you want to be to:

  • Family and friends

  • Doctors and medical facilities

  • Shopping and supermarkets

  • Restaurants

  • Major highways

  • Beaches and the Jersey Shore

  • Houses of worship

  • Activities and places you visit regularly

A home may look perfect online, but if the location makes your everyday routine inconvenient, it may not be the best long-term choice.

That's one reason we recommend comparing communities in several different areas before narrowing your search.

5. Would You Prefer a Large Community or a Smaller One?

The size and atmosphere of Ocean County's 55+ communities can vary dramatically.

Some of the larger established communities contain thousands of homes and offer extensive recreational facilities, numerous clubs and many opportunities to meet people.

Smaller communities may provide a quieter, more intimate neighborhood atmosphere with fewer facilities and activities.

Neither approach is better—it depends entirely on what you want.

Ask yourself:

Do I want lots of activities and opportunities to meet people?

Or:

Would I prefer a smaller, quieter neighborhood where I can enjoy a simpler lifestyle?

It's also important to visit a community rather than judging it entirely from photographs or online information.

Drive through the neighborhood. Look at the homes and common areas. Visit the clubhouse when appropriate. Pay attention to how the community feels.

Sometimes you'll know very quickly whether you can picture yourself living there.

The goal isn't simply to find a 55+ community.

It's to find your 55+ community.

4. Location Matters—Even Within Ocean County

Finding the right 55+ community isn't only about the home and amenities. Location can make an enormous difference in your everyday life.

Ocean County's active adult communities are spread throughout areas including Toms River, Berkeley Township, Manchester and Whiting, Lakewood, Brick, Barnegat, Jackson, Lacey, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor.

Before choosing a community, think about how close you want to be to:

  • Family and friends

  • Doctors and medical facilities

  • Shopping and supermarkets

  • Restaurants

  • Major highways

  • Beaches and the Jersey Shore

  • Houses of worship

  • Activities and places you visit regularly

A home may look perfect online, but if the location makes your everyday routine inconvenient, it may not be the best long-term choice.

That's one reason we recommend comparing communities in several different areas before narrowing your search.

5. Would You Prefer a Large Community or a Smaller One?

The size and atmosphere of Ocean County's 55+ communities can vary dramatically.

Some of the larger established communities contain thousands of homes and offer extensive recreational facilities, numerous clubs and many opportunities to meet people.

Smaller communities may provide a quieter, more intimate neighborhood atmosphere with fewer facilities and activities.

Neither approach is better—it depends entirely on what you want.

Ask yourself:

Do I want lots of activities and opportunities to meet people?

Or:

Would I prefer a smaller, quieter neighborhood where I can enjoy a simpler lifestyle?

It's also important to visit a community rather than judging it entirely from photographs or online information.

Drive through the neighborhood. Look at the homes and common areas. Visit the clubhouse when appropriate. Pay attention to how the community feels.

Sometimes you'll know very quickly whether you can picture yourself living there.

The goal isn't simply to find a 55+ community.

It's to find your 55+ community.