A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in New Jersey

Retire in New Jersey, Where the Forest Meets the Shore

One of New Jersey’s most attractive features for 55+ adults looking to stay active during their retirement is its diversity, both in terms of its weather and environments as well as its population. New Jersey experiences all four seasons with average levels of precipitation throughout the year, though there are still many low-maintenance developments that offer convenient services like lawn care and snow removal.

Regions within the state include farmland, beaches, forest, pine barrens, mountains, and more. Similarly, there are many diverse ways to live, whether you’re seeking a fully modernized luxury single story home in a golf course community or something a little more budget-friendly in one of the many manufactured home communities throughout the state.

New Jersey also has significant religious and ethnic diversity, with many communities of Indian, Chinese, Jewish, and Hispanic descent, especially in its more urban central regions. You’ll find places of worship for all religions throughout the state with an atmosphere that’s not just tolerant, but one that fully embraces the various backgrounds of its residents.

It’s easy for seniors to vacation from New Jersey, as it has many major nearby travel hubs! Consider taking the train or bus into New York City for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or LaGuardia Airport (LGA). You can also travel from New Jersey’s own Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) which offers daily flights departing to destinations all over the world!

For those looking to stay closer to home, New Jersey offers active retirees a variety of things to do including golf, pickleball, beautiful beaches to explore and casinos to visit. All with the opportunity to purchase a move-in-ready, low-maintenance new home in one of the 55+ communities throughout the state!

The Various Regions of New Jersey that are Excellent for 55+ Adults

There are also a wide variety of natural habitats, local atmospheres, and star attractions to be found across its many regions, with rural, suburban, and urban areas on offer. New Jersey’s diverse ecosystems include everything from the popular oceanside to the privacy offered in the pinelands, plus bustling cities and more!

Skylands Region

The northwestern end of New Jersey is known as the Skylands Region, and it’s defined by an abundance of woodlands and outdoor activities that are perfect for a 55+ active lifestyle.

This area also encompasses many bustling towns with big shopping districts like Rockaway, Washington, Morris Plains, and Flanders. Other popular suburbs for downsizing seniors within this region include Long Valley, Mount Arlington, Florham Park, and Port Murray.

Gateway Region

The Gateway Region gets its name for its proximity to New York. The ease of access to local travel hubs and New York City makes this a desirable place to call home.

It’s also the site of many of New Jersey’s more urban areas, including Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City. The standout town for 55+ communities here is Monroe Township which lies in the Raritan Valley.

Delaware River Region

New Jersey’s Delaware River Region is located along the state’s western border with Pennsylvania. Many of the towns here are heavily forested with hiking trails and opportunities for birdwatching.

Get outdoors in scenic towns like Hamilton, Swedesboro, Williamstown, Eastampton, Clarksboro, and Berlin.

Shore Region

Along New Jersey’s coast, you’ll find lively shore towns with lots to do including shopping and dining. There’s a laidback energy that makes it easy for empty nesters to spend a few hours relaxing on the beach too!

Oceanside towns like Barnegat Township feature picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean, while more inland neighborhoods such as Plumstead Township, Farmingdale, Freehold, and Manalapan offer an affordable way to retire by the Jersey Shore.

Greater Atlantic City Region

The cornerstone of New Jersey’s Greater Atlantic City Region is its namesake Atlantic City, which is one of the most popular and well-known casino towns in the Northeast. Many of the communities here are seaside or within a few miles of the ocean.

Southern Shore Region

Near the southernmost tip of New Jersey you’ll find the Southern Shore Region, which is full of beach towns and historic locales!

Towns like Millville have educational museums and cultural centers as well as wildlife preserves. It’s perfect for seniors looking to stay active and explore in their retirement!

Be Active in Retirement With New Jersey’s Best Things to Do

If you’re seeking an active retirement, New Jersey is certainly an option worth considering!

The state has an abundance of things to do, including on-site, local community activities like gyms and interest groups and off-site adventures that will take you hiking through diverse areas like farms and woodland.

Take Advantage of On-Property Amenities

55+ communities in New Jersey offer residents many ways to stay active on-property without having to drive!

If you’re looking for ways to stay fit, check out properties that offer residents exercise equipment in fully modernized fitness rooms, many of which also have tennis and pickleball courts.

Live a Low-Maintenance Lifestyles

New Jersey experiences sun, rain, and snow in equal measures throughout the year. Many of the best 55+ master planned communities throughout the state include lawn care and snow removal so you can spend more time relaxing and less time raking leaves!

Many 55+ communities in New Jersey also offer garages or covered parking, perfect for keeping you and your car out of the elements!

Relax at the Indoor/Outdoor Pools

Summers in New Jersey can get quite warm, so most active adult communities include access to a community pool.

Some of these pools are outdoors and offer the perfect way to lounge in the sun and cool off in the warmer months, while others have heated indoor pools where you can swim year round!

Enjoy the Community Center

Head down to your local community center or club house to try out a variety of recreational activities, with all necessary supplies conveniently located on-property!

Whether you’re in the mood for a puzzle or board game, or you want to get active on the pickle ball court or in the fitness room, community centers have what you need to spend some time having fun and socializing with your neighbors.

Visit the Surrounding Off-Property Areas

No matter where you choose to retire in New Jersey, there will be a variety of off-property things to do not far from your 55+ community.

There are many shopping locations, including large malls like The Westfield. New Jersey also offers residents numerous museums, hiking trails through state and national parks. Residents can opt for attending theaters featuring plays and musicals, as well as visiting local farms that sell fresh-grown produce.

When it’s time for a vacation, New Jersey is one of the country’s top travel hubs with options including the Amtrak train heading to destinations nationwide. The NJ Transit trains are perfect for local and domestic travel for seniors who don’t want to drive. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a major international hub offering daily direct flight to scenic locales around the world!

If you’re looking for a unique experience during your retirement, cultural festivals take place throughout the year, celebrating the state’s ethnic and religious diversity.

Try Your Luck at the Casinos

New Jersey’s most famous casino hub is in Atlantic City.The Borgata, Tropicana, and Golden Nugget all offer classic casino games like slots, blackjack, poker, and more. These venues also frequently host live performances with entertainers from the golden days.

Outside the Atlantic City area, New Jersey allows online gambling at virtual casinos and features a few other casinos scattered around the state and just over the border in Pennsylvania.

Get Some Sun at the New Jersey Beaches

Rental, condominium and active adult communities located along the Jersey Shore, especially those in the southern end of the state, offer residents oceanfront views and easy access to the state’s beaches.

Bustling stretches of coastline in Cape May and Atlantic City have boardwalks with an array of food vendors, shops, and entertainment. While smaller, more secluded beaches offer relaxation with a bit more privacy.

Golf with Friends

Golf courses can be found all around the state, with many of them located near 55+ communities!

While New Jersey does experience inclement weather in the fall and winter months, residents can still enjoy plenty of weekends of sunshine that are perfect for practicing your swing at the driving range or playing a few holes with friends.

Why You Should Consider Retiring in New Jersey

New Jersey is a hidden gem for retirees and active 55+ adults looking for a move-in-ready, low-maintenance community to age in place.

Residents have access to top-of-the-line medical care at nationally recognized facilities, as well as many convenient travel hubs throughout the state. It’s easy to take the train into New York City to see a Broadway show, or to fly domestically or internationally from numerous nearby airports.

New Jersey features a scenic coastline full of popular beaches plus casinos and golf courses - all things that help seniors stay active and healthy during retirement!

Discover New Jersey’s Diverse Adult Communities

From beachside and waterfront communities to luxury apartment rental communities designed to promote an active lifestyle, New Jersey’s high diversity can also be seen in the types of communities available to 55+ residents.

Golf Course Communities

Many of New Jersey’s higher end neighborhoods are home to golf course communities designed with seniors in mind, some offering rounds only to residents and their guests!

These communities allow you to live adjacent to the course, often in secure gated communities.  Residents can take advantage of amenities at these active lifestyle resorts, which are ideal for retirees looking to play regular rounds of golf!

Manufactured Homes Communities

In more rural and suburban areas of New Jersey, you’ll find mobile homes and manufactured home communities that allow you the flexibility of either renting or purchasing your property.

Manufactured homes are one of the most affordable ways to live in New Jersey, frequently boasting great locations near local shopping and dining centers.

Luxury Apartment Rentals

Many of the newest developments in New Jersey are freshly built or renovated luxury apartment rentals. Some are age restricted communities with fully included resort style amenities designed for seniors like private pools with hydrotherapy classes, pickleball courts, BBQ areas, fully equipped fitness centers, and secure parking.

Luxury 55+ apartments are often found in premier neighborhoods with nearby opportunities for high-class shopping, entertainment, and dining.

Condominium Communities

Like manufactured homes, condominium (condo) communities are a great way to move into prime locations in New Jersey.

Condos offer 55+ seniors the perfect balance between the cost and responsibility associated with owning a free standing home and the impermanent nature of renting a luxury apartment.

Condo living comes with the benefit of fostering a sense of community with your fellow tenants. Modern amenities like a pool and gym are often included. Set monthly dues make for a low-maintenance lifestyle as the Homeowner’s Association takes care of the property and any issues outside of your unit!

Locating Affordable Housing in New Jersey

New Jersey housing communities range from budget-friendly options that provide comfort and dignity to more lavish accommodations in up-and-coming neighborhoods surrounded by upscale amenities.

While some areas of New Jersey have higher property tax rates than what you might find in other states, you can avoid some of the more costly zones by renting in 55+ communities which are often designed with budgets in mind.

When thinking about the cost of living to retire in New Jersey, consider the easy access to airports, NYC and a variety of public transit options. The state offers a wealth of casual and fine-dining choices as well as entertainment, art and shopping districts for you to enjoy!

Affordable options for 55+ seniors are also available especially in rural and suburban zones.

Experience Top-Quality Care in Leading Healthcare Facilities

New Jersey has some of the best healthcare facilities in the entire nation, with critically acclaimed hospitals and care centers like RWJBarnabas and Hackensack Meridian paving the way. Services like the Atlantic Health System help ensure senior residents always have access to affordable care, and both independently-owned and national brand pharmacies are always nearby.

Residents of New Jersey can apply for Medicare through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which is available to residents over 65 and those under 65 with a disability.