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Living a Resort Community Lifestyle in Cape May, New_Jersey

Cape May, New Jersey is one of America's  most famous resort communities - ideal for people who enjoy the beach, fishing, in a Victorian setting. This beach community (4,000 year round residents, 100,000 seasonal population) at the bottom of New Jersey has long been famous for its stock of Victorian homes. The town has capitalized on this fame with an intelligent redevelopment plan that has given it an attractive pedestrian shopping center that attracts tourists all year long. Its nickname is "The Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort".

Cape May became was considered one of the finest resorts in America by the 19th century. It is noted for its large number of well-maintained Victorian houses — the second largest collection of Victorian-era homes in the nation after San Francisco. In 1976, it was officially designated a National Historic Landmark city. Photo of yellow Victorian courtesy of Wikipedia and TexasDex.

Where to Retire in Cape May and Home Prices

The retirement community housing choices are somewhat limited in town, mostly in the form of private homes or mobile homes. Real estate is quite expensive. According to Zillow.com, the median home value was about $607,768 in early 2023.

What Is Special about Cape May

• Unique collection of Victorian homes • Interesting downtown • A livable small city • A top birding area  • It is the only place where the entire city has been listed as the entire city of Cape May was officially designated a National Historic Landmark • Annual Cape May Literary Festival • The Travel Channel named it one of Top 10 Beaches in USA

What Is Not Special about Cape May

It is somewhat remote. Crowded in summer, lonely in winter.

Climate and Physical Environment

Cape May New Jersey is at the very bottom of New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean. It is on a coastal plain with many waterways and bays.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Annual Cape May Literary Festival.  The town hosts the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Cape May Music Festival and the Cape May Film Festival. Cape May Stage performs at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. East Lynne Theater Company, and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts are also located here. Birding is a popular activity in Cape May.

Crime

The crime rate in Cape May is just below the national average.

Medical Facilities

Burdete Tomlin Memorial Hospital is 12 miles away.

Transportation

Atlantic City International Airport is 43 miles away.

Valuable Links

City of Cape May

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