Margate City, NJ

Margate’s most famous resident is Lucy the Elephant, a six-story wooden landmark built in 1881 as an eye-catching publicity stunt to sell shore property. These days, the town has no trouble drawing new residents on its own. Squeezed between Ventnor and Longport on Absecon Island, Margate stretches for about a mile and a half, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the back bay along Amherst Avenue on the west. The Ventnor boardwalk ends right at the town line, giving Margate's oceanfront a relaxed, purely residential feel with quiet neighborhood streets running straight into the dunes.

ATTRFamartin / CC BY-SA 4.0

If you are shopping for a home here, practical coastal prep comes first. Barrier island living requires getting comfortable with flood maps, elevation certificates, and insurance premiums before falling in love with a kitchen. Properties along the bay call for a close check on bulkhead conditions and high-tide drainage, while ocean-block houses face constant salt spray that wears on roofs, decks, and outdoor fixtures. It also pays to visit outside of July and August. Summer brings energetic crowds, packed street parking, and busy restaurants, while winter turns the island into a sleepy, close-knit community. Families should also note that the local school district serves kindergarten through eighth grade, with high schoolers heading to Atlantic City High School or nearby private academies.

ATTRJack Boucher / Public domain

Daily routines look a little different depending on which side of the island you choose. Ocean blocks center on beach days, morning bike rides, and community gatherings like Beachstock at Granville Avenue. Along Amherst Avenue, the bay side buzzes with boat docks, fishing charters, the seasonal farmers market, and lively waterfront dining at spots like Steve & Cookie's and Maynard's. Running through the middle, Ventnor Avenue provides a walkable strip of coffee shops, casual eateries, grocery stops, and small businesses that keep the town running year-round. Because Margate is so narrow, you are never more than a short walk or bike ride from both the ocean waves and the calm bay waters.