By JA Williams Jr.

For generations, Atlantic County has been known primarily as a vacation destination. Atlantic City’s casinos, Boardwalk, beaches and neighboring Shore towns bring millions of visitors to the region.

But Atlantic County has another story developing: it is becoming an increasingly attractive place to spend your retirement years.

Recent retirement rankings have highlighted communities throughout Atlantic County, with places such as Margate City, Linwood, Brigantine, Northfield, Ventnor City and Somers Point receiving favorable marks for retirees.

And for me, this story has become personal.

I recently purchased a condominium in Atlantic City, and the more time I spend here, the more I find myself seriously considering making the move permanent.

I Came for the Condo. Now I’m Thinking About Staying.

There is something about Atlantic County that is difficult to explain until you actually spend time here.

My realtor always told me, “It’s island time here.”

At first, I thought he was exaggerating.

He wasn’t.

The pace is different. Things feel less rushed. You can have breakfast at Gilchrist, drive along the Shore, walk the Boardwalk, stop in Ventnor or head toward Somers Point without feeling like you are constantly fighting the pace of a major city.

That slower rhythm is a big part of the attraction.

I also have a personal connection to Shore Medical Center in Somers Point. My newborn son was recently born there, and our experience with the doctors and staff was excellent. What stood out most was how personal the experience felt.

When you start thinking seriously about where you might live later in life, healthcare becomes more than a statistic on a ranking. You want to know that quality medical care is nearby and that you can feel comfortable with the people providing it.

Shore Living Without Leaving Civilization

Retirement at the Jersey Shore offers something difficult to duplicate: access to the ocean and bays while remaining close to the services of a major metropolitan region.

Margate, Ventnor and Brigantine provide residential communities within minutes of Atlantic City. Somers Point offers waterfront living and easy access to Ocean City. Linwood and Northfield provide more suburban environments while remaining close to the Shore.

That gives retirees choices.

Someone who wants to walk to the beach can consider the barrier-island communities. Someone looking for a larger home, yard or more traditional suburban environment can look farther inland.

Atlantic City Is an Asset

Atlantic City is often discussed almost entirely in terms of casinos.

Living here, even part time, changes that perspective.

The casinos are certainly part of the landscape, but Atlantic City also means restaurants, concerts, entertainment venues, the Boardwalk, the beach and access to the surrounding Shore communities.

A retiree could live quietly in Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Northfield or another nearby community and still have a major entertainment district minutes away.

And Atlantic City itself offers another option for people interested in condominium living.

That is one of the things I have come to appreciate personally. You can have a condo near the ocean and Boardwalk without feeling like you are living in a traditional resort every day.

The Shore After Summer

One of my favorite things about the area is what happens after the summer season ends.

A lot of people think about the Jersey Shore only in July and August.

I actually enjoy it when things slow down.

The crowds thin out, traffic becomes easier and the Shore takes on an entirely different personality.

Ventnor Avenue can be beautiful during the holidays. The decorations, lights and storefronts give the communities a completely different character.

And when it snows, the Shore has its own kind of beauty.

Seeing snow around the Boardwalk, beach communities and Shore neighborhoods reminds you that this is not simply a summer destination. These are year-round communities.

For someone thinking about retirement, that matters.

Healthcare Matters

Atlantic County residents have access to regional medical providers, including Shore Medical Center and AtlantiCare’s healthcare network.

The county’s location also keeps residents within reach of larger medical systems in South Jersey and Philadelphia when specialized care is necessary.

That connection to Philadelphia is an underrated part of Atlantic County’s appeal.

You can live near the Atlantic Ocean without completely disconnecting from one of the Northeast’s largest metropolitan areas.

Philadelphia Is Still Close

Atlantic County offers something many retirement destinations cannot: relative proximity to Philadelphia.

NJ Transit’s Atlantic City Rail Line connects Atlantic City with Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, with stops throughout South Jersey.

Philadelphia International Airport, professional sports, museums, restaurants and major healthcare institutions remain accessible.

For people from the Philadelphia region, that can make retirement at the Shore especially attractive.

You can change your lifestyle without completely abandoning your existing life.

Family and longtime friends are still within reach.

Different Communities for Different Retirees

There is not one Atlantic County retirement experience.

Margate City offers an upscale residential Shore environment with restaurants, beaches and proximity to Atlantic City.

Ventnor City combines a neighborhood atmosphere with its beach and Boardwalk.

Brigantine offers an island community with beaches, boating and residential neighborhoods immediately north of Atlantic City.

Linwood and Northfield provide suburban alternatives for retirees who want to remain close to the Shore without living directly on a barrier island.

Somers Point combines waterfront recreation, restaurants and access to Shore Medical Center.

And Atlantic City itself presents another possibility, particularly for people interested in condominium living, Boardwalk access and having restaurants and entertainment nearby.

The Costs Still Matter

Retiring at the Jersey Shore is not inexpensive.

New Jersey property taxes remain an important consideration. Housing prices can vary dramatically depending on the municipality, neighborhood and proximity to the water.

Flood insurance, condominium fees and homeowners insurance also need to be part of the calculation.

But one advantage Atlantic County has is variety.

You are not limited to beachfront homes.

There are condominiums, suburban neighborhoods, waterfront communities and inland options throughout the county.

More Than a Vacation Destination

I purchased my Atlantic City condo thinking primarily about having a place at the Shore.

Now I find myself wanting more time here.

Enough that I have seriously considered making Atlantic County my full-time home.

Breakfast at Gilchrist. The Boardwalk. Ventnor Avenue during the holidays. Somers Point. A quieter winter day by the ocean. Even watching snow fall at the Shore.

Those small experiences have changed the way I look at Atlantic County.

My realtor kept telling me it was “island time.”

I thought it was just something realtors said.

Now I understand exactly what he meant.

Atlantic County has spent decades giving people reasons to visit.

For retirees — and people like me who are beginning to think about the next chapter — it is increasingly giving us reasons to stay.

Boardwalk Standard — Your Ultimate Guide to Atlantic City & the Jersey Shore.