Monmouth County’s Best Places To Live For NYC Commuters

It is no secret that real estate and rental prices in New York City are as high as its skyscrapers, which is why many people who work in the city prefer to live in one of its many New Jersey suburbs. Monmouth County, located on the northern part of New Jersey’s shore, is home to a wealth of flourishing suburban towns that offer so much more than just beautiful beaches. Monmouth County provides its residents with easy access to the heart of New York City, ensuring easy commutes without sacrificing space or paying exorbitant rent. Monmouth County is home to excellent schools, historical attractions, and plenty of shopping, fine dining, and verdant parks that draw residents out of the city and into the suburbs after office hours.

Freehold, NJ

One of the oldest cities in the United States, Freehold, New Jersey offers the opportunity to live in a quiet suburb with a bustling Victorian downtown scene only an hour’s drive outside of Manhattan. Main Street, which serves as Freehold’s epicenter of activity, is lined with buildings that date back as far as 1824, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the oldest building in town, was built in 1683. Freehold’s more recent claim to fame is as the birthplace of music legend Bruce Springsteen, who described the city in his song entitled, My Hometown. For commuters who prefer to take public transit into the city, buses destined for New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal depart every hour. 

Matawan, NJ

A close-knit, suburban community with easy access to public transit and major highways, Matawan was first established in the late 1600s. Today, the small town is perhaps best known for its two stunning lakes– Lake Lefferts and Lake Matawan– and beautiful Matawan Creek. Only 2.4 square miles, Matawan is home to a number of neighborhoods, and the local train station offers direct access to New York City’s Penn Station in approximately one hour. The historic community features a number of noteworthy sites, that include the Major John Burrowes Mansion Museum, which is the site where the first New Jersey Company of the Continental Army was formed. The town also hosts a number of community and special events that include a weekly farmer’s market in the summer and a food pantry for those in need.

Union Beach, NJ

Formed in 1925, Union Beach lies on the northern Jersey Shore and is the ideal destination for New York City commuters who want all of the benefits of a seaside living without being too far from the city. Residents can easily get into Manhattan by way of the Garden State Parkway, a drive that takes on an hour even in the worst of rush hour traffic, or via New Jersey Transit’s extensive bus and railway system. Visitors to Union Beach’s shores can take in a beautiful view of the New York City skyline as well as the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Marlboro, NJ

Marlboro is one of the largest towns in Monmouth County and offers easy access to routes 9 and 18, which funnel New York City-bound traffic to the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. The city features a wealth of beautiful, upscale real estate as well as access to excellent schools and plenty of local shopping. Homes in Marlboro can be expansive, with some priced well into the $1M to $2M range. Marlboro is only an hour’s drive from midtown Manhattan, but bus and train service is also readily available for commuters who prefer public transit over driving in New York City traffic.

Manalapan, NJ

Situated in western Monmouth County lies Manalapan, which offers New York City commuters easy access to the city as well as all of the benefits of living in a peaceful small town. Manalapan is located one hour’s drive outside of New York City, but many people prefer to take public transit via the buses and trains. Manalapan boasts plenty of natural beauty, including farms and parks that are home to local festivals and community events like Happy Day Farm, which hosts an annual Harvest Festival each fall, where residents and their visitors alike can pick berries and pumpkins and traverse a corn maze.