Forget Florida, Retire To This Jersey Shore Destination With Beautiful Beaches, Wildlife, And Historic Charm

If you want to spend your retirement lounging by the ocean, you don't need to move to Florida to do so. The Jersey Shore's 130 miles of sandy beaches and boardwalks have made it a popular summer destination since the 19th century, and you can enjoy it at your leisure when you retire to Cape May County, the southernmost of the Jersey Shore's five counties.

Cape May County encompasses about 30 miles of the Jersey Cape, from the family-oriented boardwalk fun of Ocean City in the north to the Victorian seaside resort of Cape May in the south. In between are charming towns like the island community of Avalon and the bustling beach town of Wildwood. The county attracts lots of visitors in the summer, when its population soars over 820,000. During the off-season, that drops down to around 93,000 permanent residents, roughly a third of whom are 65 or older, making this an easy place to meet fellow retirees. The county also has several 55+ communities like Legacy at Cape May, where you can socialize with neighbors in communal spaces while still enjoying the privacy of your own home. In addition, the county's three senior centers and activities like the yearly Senior Jamboree in May and Senior Art Show in August expand the options for making new friends.

The seasonal shifts in Cape May County are part of its appeal for retirees, too. Living here, you can enjoy the energy and entertainment brought in by tourism during peak season, while also appreciating the tranquil atmosphere and relaxed pace that arrives between fall and spring. From its beautiful outdoor spaces and unique wildlife to its rich history and vibrant creative culture, there are a lot of reasons to spend your golden years in this slice of New Jersey.

Cape May County experiences all four seasons, but in a milder form than elsewhere in the Northeast. Ocean breezes keep things cool in the summer, with typical highs in the mid-80s, while winters are warmer than elsewhere in New Jersey. The area can experience Nor'easters and similar storms, but it typically sees less snow than other parts of the state.

Summer is the best season to spend time on Cape May County's 30 miles of white sand beaches. If you're looking for an energetic atmosphere (or a great spot to take the grandkids), head to the beaches and boardwalk of Ocean City, or Cape May beaches like The Cove and Broadway Beach. Spots like Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, and Stone Harbor Beach have a more low-key energy. Boating and fishing are favorite activities here, too. Cape May County is a notable striped bass fishery, and you can catch dozens of saltwater fish species in the Atlantic, including sport fish like marlin and swordfish. The luxury island escape of Avalon is particularly ideal for anglers, who can book fishing trips at the Avalon Sport Fishing Center or cast a line from one of the town's many fishing piers.

The Jersey Cape also has a lot to offer nature lovers. The Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area has over 1,000 acres of dunes, forests, and other habitats that you can see from its 2 miles of nature trails or two viewing platforms. Birders know Higbee Beach as a hotspot for migrating songbirds. You'll see the most species during the dawn migration in the fall, while spring is the best season to spot warblers. Many species stick around through the summer, when you can also see colorful insects like butterflies and dragonflies.

Cape May is America's oldest seaside resort, and this makes it a great place for history lovers. Here, you can tour historic structures like the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate or the 1859 lighthouse and World War II gun battery at Cape May Point State Park (which is another spot nature lovers can visit for trails and wildlife). In the summer, you can visit Historic Cold Spring Village, an open-air museum with preserved buildings and demonstrations of 19th-century crafts. If you'd rather relax instead of walk, take a trolley tour of the historic district and seaside mansions. There's more history elsewhere in the county, like the Doo Wop Museum and Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in Wildwood, or the 1895 American Legion Life Saving Station in Stone Harbor. With that much variety, there's bound to be something for even the most discerning history buff.

Creative-minded retirees can stay plenty busy in Cape May County, too. From June through Labor Day, there are free concerts in Rotary Park on Friday through Monday nights. Fans of classical music can attend a full lineup of concerts during the Cape May Music Festival in May and June, while jazz lovers can attend October's Exit Zero Jazz Festival. For live theater, the Cape May Stage and East Lynne Theater Company each put on a handful of productions a season, and the Cape May Stage also hosts dramatic readings and a Broadway Series.

One thing to note: you will need a car to get the most out of living in Cape May County. The downtown area of Cape May and seaside boardwalks in towns like Wildwood and Sea Isle City are very pedestrian-friendly, but public transportation in the county is limited. There's a shuttle service seniors can use, though for added freedom and flexibility, owning a car is highly recommended.