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 retirement is its weather, environment, and population diversity. New Jersey experiences all four seasons with average precipitation levels throughout the year. However, many low-maintenance developments offer convenient lawn care and snow removal services.

Regions within the state include farmland, beaches, forests, 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! Take the train or bus to 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 and 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

New Jersey’s diversity isn’t limited to its population!

There is also a wide variety of natural habitats, local atmospheres, and star attractions 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, 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. Monroe Township is the standout town for 55+ communities here, which lies in the Raritan Valley.

Delaware River Region

New Jersey’s Delaware River Region is 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, Easthampton, Clarksboro, and Berlin.

Shore Region

You’ll find lively shore towns along New Jersey's coast 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, one of the most popular and well-known casino towns in the Northeast. Many communities here are seaside or within a few miles of the ocean.

Southern Shore Region

You'll find the Southern Shore Region near the southernmost tip of New Jersey. It’s home to a large number of beach towns and historic locales!

Towns like Millville have educational museums, cultural centers, and 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 many 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 a property without driving!

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.

Retire with a Low-Maintenance Lifestyle

New Jersey experiences sun, rain, and snow equally 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 clubhouse to try various recreational activities, with all necessary supplies conveniently located on the property!

Whether you’re in the mood for a puzzle or board game or want to get active on the pickleball court or in the fitness room, community centers have what you need to spend 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 various off-property things to do close to your 55+ community.

There are many shopping locations, including large malls like The Westfield. New Jersey also offers residents numerous museums and hiking trails through state and national parks. Residents can attend theaters featuring plays and musicals and visit local farms selling 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 central international hub offering daily direct flights to scenic locales worldwide!

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 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 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

There are golf courses around the state, with many 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, 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 and 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 and an entire coastline of famous 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 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 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 of owning a free-standing home and the impermanent nature of renting a luxury apartment.

Condo living benefits from fostering a sense of community with your fellow tenants. Modern amenities like a pool and gym are often included. Setting monthly dues makes for a low-maintenance lifestyle, as the Homeowner’s Association takes care of the property and any issues outside 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 you might find in other states, you can avoid some of the more costly zones by renting in 55+ communities that are often designed with budgets in mind.

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

Affordable options for 55+ seniors are 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 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.