Beach area close to New York with oceanfront rentals?
 

Hi-
We are thinking about a trip to New York City & to the Atlantic Ocean this July.
There will be 4 adults & 2 children (10 & 6 years old).
Can anyone recommend a good area to stay on the ocean that offers oceanfront rental homes or condos- willing to drive to New Jersey or Connecticut.
I was thinking maybe somewhere on Long Island but it seems like many of the houses either only rent by the month or are pricey.
Thanks!

Have a look at vrbo.com

For New Jersey click on Shore and lots of rentals come up. Just about any of the towns listed would be good.

I think you will find that any houses directly on the ocean anywhere NYC are going to be pricey. And yes, many houses rent by the month - or even the summer - to groups of young people.

Also- in most areas the houses are not directly on the beach (which may be public - or may be private property owned by the wealthy - think Seinfeld at $40 million.

If you're interested in Long Island you might have a look at some of the condo colonies in Amagansett. They have 2 bedroom units, pools and are directly on the ocean - and while fairly modest are also fairly inexpensive. The kitchens are small - but you can easily do breakfast, lunch and snacks - and even simple dinners (or you can order dinner in).

For instance, Ocean Dunes is only about $2500 for the week for a 2 BR duplex in high season. (You can google other options.)

If you're looking for something more budget Sag Harbor has some modest cottage colonies that rent by the week - but are not directly on the beach.

You might consider Fire Island, Long Island, NY.

If your are planning to go to Atlantic City then Long Island or CT is out of your way. NJ has some great family beaches. I like Long Beach Island (Beach Haven area) with kids. Great family beaches where you can leave your stuff as you walk or go back to the house, plus an amusement/shopping area (not on the beach, and no boardwalk, so no noisy, smelly honkey tonk.

Most properties are managed through local real estate agencies - I've used lbirealty.com and been happy, but there are many others. Most rentals work exclusively through one agency, so you won't find any single directory with all properties. Rentals are typically saturday (>2pm pickup key at agency) to saturday (drop off key by 11am). There is one agency that does Fri-Fri rentals.

There are roughly 3 zones. a) within one block of the beach, b) on the ocean side of the main boulevard and c) on the bay side. With kids anything on the ocean block is fine.

Since there are protective (and protected) dunes along the entire coast there are very few properties actually that are actually ocean front. Most houses rent upstairs and downstairs separately. Upstairs with ocean view will go for a premium. A 3br/2ba rental will go for $2500-3000/week for ocean block, and prices drop as you get further away.

IMO there is no need for ocean view. Anywhere on the ocean block is a very quick walk to/from beach (hand with bathroom, lunch, etc). You will be on the beach so, so much that you don't need to pay premium to have 24/7 view.

If you do decide to rent at the Jersey shore, definitely be on the road very very early on arrival day (esp if Sat). You and everybody else will clog the Parkway, so beat the traffic as best you can.

There are probably also some weekly rentals on Block Island (which is in Rhode Island, but not too far from NYC). There is a seasonal ferry from the north shore of Long Island to Block Island, but I don't know the schedule or the deal with cars, which I've been told are difficult to take to Block Island (and not necessary).

Apropos of Block Island there is a ferry from Montauk and boy does it go slow. There might be one from Orient Point LI but I'm not sure. If you want to take your car you have to go to RI-Narragansett, I think. It's more of a high-speed

Why don't you try Pt Pleasant, NJ? You can even take NJ Transit there. Lots to do with the kids (Jenkinson's boardwalk), and a very nice beach, with tiki bars for adults. Seaside is a little more gritty. Ocean City is real big with families.

If you'd consider driving a bit further, I'd say Cape May, NJ. Driving or flying ?

Waters Edge in Westbrook CT is a beachfront resort. The food is so so, but the resort is fairly nice.

nytraveler's recos for Amagansett are good and there are also motel/hotel places in Montauk (further east) right on the ocean or across the street. Shelter Island, a short ferry ride from Sag Harbor (Long Island) is another idea but it's not ocean there.

Spring Lake, NJ is a lovely victorian town with some b & b's and inns across from the ocean and a boardwalk. Long Beach Island in NJ is another idea.

Keep in mind the ocean beach will be rough for a 6 yr old and you might be better with a bay beach like Shelter Island.

Another vote for Spring Lake and even Sea Girt next door. I believe there is also train service to NYC from Spring Lake (at least, there used to be).

Caution: when looking at Spring Lake properties make sure they are in Spring Lake itself and close to the beach, not in Spring Lake Heights.

If you went farther south, Avalon is a big hangout for families (and singles) but it's more a Philly crowd and the good spots have probably already been rented for July. However, there are also plenty of family friend hotels.