I have lived about 10 minutes from the 34th Street bridge into Ocean City my whole life. All year, I would even say once a week, I meet someone new at a playground or restaurant and a friendly conversation ensues. Almost every conversation, especially in the summer months, winds up with one of us asking “Do you live here all year?” My answer is obviously yes, and theirs is usually “No, my in-laws have a house here” or “No we come down to my wife's sister's house on the weekends when they are not using it”... something along those lines. They ask where I live, and I usually say “right over the 34th street bridge”. They assume I mean Marion Park I guess, but I mean Upper Township.
It's always surprising to me that tourists do not know where Upper Township is, although probably more than half drove through it to get into Ocean City… I have to remind myself that I do not know the names of towns surrounding Disney World.
As a realtor, especially a buyer's agent, we have to remember that part of our job is to enlighten clients. Realtors are destined to do everything they can to take all of our clients wants and needs into consideration when finding them a house. BUT, are you working with a Realtor who not only is a great listener, but they spark new ideas and open you up to new areas and possibilities?
My point is, a bike ride to the beach is fantastic but so is a 10 minute car ride. Out of town buyers and on-the-island sellers looking to cash-in are realizing this and are starting to shop just off-shore for their next year round or vacation home.
Living anywhere in Cape May County is such a blessing. It is hard to make a pros & cons list of living on the barrier island or on the mainland. Instead, I will discuss some of what you get living offshore that just isn't realistic expectation to those owning a property on an island.
Firstly, my favorite and I think the most important aspect of living off the island is that it is generally safer. The opportunity to own a home with a fenced in yard for parties and playdates is much more likely on the mainland. With a yard you get space and privacy.
Space for a hot tub, a pool, a deck, a garden, boat storage. Just SPACE that is only yours and not a 'common area'. Space to let your dog run around and poop on his own lawn. Space for big parties and big toys. Trampolines, dirt bikes, gym equipment. Your vacation home can feel like your home away from home because you have space to keep all of your favorite things. This space means some distance from your neighbors and privacy.
Privacy is a foreign word on the barrier islands. In recent years in towns like Ocean CIty and Sea Isle, huge condominiums and multi-family homes have replaced single family homes creating several problems. Not only is privacy gone, so is parking. The summer months are brutal in shore towns for any local just trying to go out to eat or get to ShopRite. I cannot think of anything worse than going home and not being able to find a parking spot or driving around extra slow and cautiously to avoid the numerous bikers and pedestrians. Even worse is thinking of my guests looking for parking. With ample parking comes peace of mind.
A comfortable life is largely due to financial stability. It is safe to say that home prices are half on the mainland compared to what buyers pay for the same house a bike ride from the beach. It is clear why some choose to pay more to be on a barrier island; living close to the sea is a luxury not everyone can afford. However we must consider the affordability that's offered by lovely homes just a short car ride to the beach. You definitely get bang for your buck in towns like Marmora and Cape May Court House compared to their neighboring beach towns. WIth the money left in your budget you have the freedom to spend it on something like a renovation or building a pole barn.
When shopping for a vacation home, it is true that some people get blinded by the sea. An ocean view from your bedroom will make you forget about the cost of losing privacy and ease of mind. But I see the tides changing. Realtors have noticed wider horizons with their secondary home buyers. They are open to purchasing on or off the islands. This is good and bad. It is good because sellers are able to benefit from higher sale prices due to increased desirability which leads to several offers and potential bidding wars. The pool of buyers has definitely expanded. On the flip side, buyers in general are going on almost 4 years of bidding wars and high sale prices. With rising interest rates the buyer truly has been getting the short end of the stick since the pandemic.
At the end of the day, the grass is always greener on the other side. I know that living on any of the barrier islands is fun. I have such fond memories of riding bikes all over Ocean City with friends. I think we all want to be by the beach, but what is being sacrificed? Happiness comes from within, and the perfect home just enhances it. My greatest advice to buyers is remember to weigh all pros and cons a home has to offer, including location. Try to be flexible when describing the area you want to start searching for properties. I see buyers fall in love with homes that they might have turned down if they were not open minded. All in all, you cannot go wrong with where you live down in Cape May County.
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