West Long Branch, NJ

West Long Branch is a Monmouth County borough near the Shore and the Shrewsbury River. Before taking its current name, the area was known as Mechanicsville and then Branchburg, giving it a longer local history than its suburban profile might suggest. Monmouth University is the defining institution, bringing students, events, and a landmark campus to the borough. West Long Branch is residential and school-focused, but its location near Long Branch, beaches, shopping, and university life gives it more activity than a residential bedroom suburb.