Little Egg Harbor, NJ... What's it like?

[Jeannie]

Is anyone familiar with Little Egg Harbor or Mystic Island? We're thinking about trying to find a vacation house somewhere at the Jersey shore. Houses on the beach are huge $$$, but there seem to be some on waterways leading to the bay in LEH for under $300,000.

I don't know anything about this area so any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[lsyorke]

I'm a native "jersey girl".....I would look at Avalon or Stone Harbor. A little more money, but worth it.
What activities are you looking for?

 

[tuckerkeys]

stay away. Mystic is referred to around here as " mistake ' island. Lots of drug houses and just not so great people. Lots of break ins and just not a great neighborhood. Little Egg, or Tuckerton, is also a no no. Same thing. Sure there are ok areas, but, they are not the houses on the water. these 2 towns are VERY year round lately as many people moved there when they got moved out of Manahawkin. You can find a great vacation home in Manahawkin, in the Beach Haven West section. Most homes are on a canal and for sure you can find something under 300. Also stay away from Barnegat! Good luck!

 

[DVCisME]

Little Egg Harbor is nice. It is becoming a little crowded. Most of the houses on the water her are lagoon houses. They are usually very small, with some exceptions. There are drugs like I think there are everywhere. There are not a lot of break-ins. Little Egg Harbor makes a u-shape around Tuckerton. There are some extremely great houses in Tuckerton that are actually on water. Some of the houses in Tuckerton are also lagoon houses and the streets flood rather quickly.

The houses in LEH and Tuckerton are still about 20 minutes from the beach without traffic. You would still hit a lot of traffic during the summer on Rt 72. I would see if you can find something on Beach Haven West. There have also been quite a few houses for sale right on LBI.
Barnegat and Manahawkin also have sections with drugs and some spread throughout. But Barnegat has more "drug sections". I would stay away from Barnegat if you are looking for a vacation home though.
Keep in mind that alot of homeowners are behind on their mortgages. Just because a home is more doesn't mean you cannot get it for a great deal less!!!

Hope that helps!

 

[Imzadi]

I'd head a couple miles over to Ocean City. Now that the Search function is working again, you can look up all the threads on Ocean City (NJ not MD,) and see how much we all love the place.

 

[Buckalew11]

wow. this whole thread makes me so sad. I didn't realize Barnegat etc. had gotten so bad. Drugs were invading LBI when we moved in '75--a huge reason my parents wanted to move. My grandfather lived in Barnegat til he died.