Longport, NJ

Tucked away at the southern tip of Absecon Island, Longport is one of the quietest and most scenic residential communities on the Jersey Shore. With fewer than a thousand year-round residents, the borough offers a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Beach Thorofare. The neighborhood is almost entirely residential, filled with charming coastal homes and easy access to surfing, kayaking, and uncrowded beaches. One quirky reminder of the island's past is that early storms washed away the original shoreline, which is why the street grid famously begins at 11th Avenue.

ATTRSmallbones / CC0

Since Longport is strictly residential, neighbors head right next door into Margate or across to the mainland for shopping, dining, and healthcare. Local children attend elementary and middle school in Margate before moving on to regional high schools. Around town, daily routines center on the community library, tennis and pickleball courts, and sunset walks along the bay. Living on a low-lying barrier island means keeping an eye on coastal tides, storm prep, and salt-air upkeep, but residents happily trade commercial bustle for peace, quiet, and ocean breezes.