The Best Kept Secret Of The Jersey Shore
Now is a good time to fulfill your dream of owning a home at the Jersey Shore.
Nestled along the coast of the Delaware Bay are several quiet communities of small homes which are sought after by people looking for a vacation home, an investment or a home for year-round living. Swimming, boating, fishing, golfing, bird-watching, antiquing and shopping, all are within close proximity. The Delaware Bay has the most brilliant sunsets north of Key West and is a natural habitat for all kinds of birds and wild life, most notably the horseshoe crabs. It is also situated very close to historic Cape May with its picturesque Victorian Bed and Breakfasts and quaint shops, and there are many gourmet restaurants nearby offering fine dining to suit everyone's taste. The Cape May Zoo for children of all ages is close by and the Cape May Lewes Ferry, perfect for day trips to Delaware, is just a few miles south. Whether you select new construction, an existing cottage or an elegant Bayfront home, you'll find that the Delaware Bay area is truly a terrific place to live either for the summer or for year round.
Several important historical facts
Townbank, one of these small communities on the Delaware Bay, was the site of the original settlement in Cape May County -- not Cape May. In the 1640s, whaler fishermen came down from New England searching for whales and built log cabins on a bluff overlooking the Bay, but these were washed out into the Bay by the storms and high winds. During the 1640s while the settlement was there, William Penn built a house in Townbank and actually did a survey of the area as a possible site for his new city of Brotherly Love, but later chose Philadelphia instead.
The Villas was founded in 1927 when Joseph Millman bought a large parcel of land in Fishing Creek and built many tiny 2 bedroom cottages known as Millman Cottages. They featured an outhouse in the backyard and a hand water pump inside the house, but no heat. These Millman Cottages which now populate the Villas and Del Haven have become very sought-after today as well as the small ranches in North Cape May, Townbank and Cape May Beach. Relatively unknown until the last several years, these small homes are an inexpensive alternative to the higher-priced homes in Avalon, Stone Harbor and Sea Isle. Initially, it was primarily fishermen who were attracted to the Delaware Bay, but now everyone seems to be looking for these tiny bungalows to renovate and rehab as vacation and year round retirement homes.
Shopping
Two shopping areas (Cape May Court House and Rio Grande) are within a ten minute drive. Court House has Pier 1, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Acme, Super Fresh and Staples. Rio Grande hosts Lowes, Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond, K-Mart, Shop Rite, Ross and others.
Climate
The Delaware Bay area and Cape May are almost due east of Washington, DC. The climate tends to be moderate with very little snow during the winter.
Attractions and Activities
There are numerous activities close by. The Atlantic City Casinos and Ocean City Boardwalk are just a short drive up the Garden State Parkway. The Wildwood Boardwalk and the Wildwood Convention Center are just ten minutes away. Golf and fishing are virtually available all year-round. The Delaware Bay and Cape May Point, not to mention Stone Harbor and Avalon, are noted for being the best areas in the state for bird watching. Obviously, boating and all kinds of water activities are found all along the Delaware Bay and Cape May coastline.
If you would like more information about Real Estate along the Delaware Bay in South Jersey, contact us.
