Cape May, NJ

Sitting at the southern tip of New Jersey where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May feels like a cozy, historic coastal village. With fewer than 3,000 year-round residents, the town is best known for its walkable streets lined with colorful Victorian homes and welcoming front porches. Everyday life here revolves around the water, from quiet morning beach walks to picking up fresh seafood at the local harbor.

ATTRFamartin / CC BY-SA 4.0

The heart of town is the Washington Street Mall, an outdoor pedestrian street filled with local cafes, bakeries, and small shops. The community experiences a big summer rush, but the rest of the year settles into a relaxed, friendly pace where neighbors always run into each other. Local kids attend Cape May City Elementary and Lower Cape May Regional schools, and institutions like the Coast Guard training center help keep the town active throughout the off-season.