Barnegat, NJ

Sitting at the quiet northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light is a small coastal borough with around 600 year-round residents. Life here moves at an easy pace, shaped by wide beaches, breezy bay views, and deep maritime roots. The community is anchored by its historic red-and-white lighthouse, affectionately nicknamed "Old Barney," which sits in a scenic state park overlooking the inlet. With commercial fishing boats pulling into Viking Village, quiet neighborhood lanes, and local seafood spots, the area maintains a classic, laid-back Jersey Shore feel.

Families moving to the borough send younger students to the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, while middle and high schoolers travel to the mainland for the Southern Regional School District. Most routines revolve around the outdoors, from boating and inlet fishing to walking the dune trails. Because the town marks the end of the island road, it escapes the heavy pass-through traffic common to other beach towns, creating a peaceful setting for anyone looking for a quiet coastal community.