Allison Mireau of Real Connect Group guiding Staten Island families relocating to Monmouth County New Jersey

Relocating to Monmouth County: The Quiet Shift from Staten Island

Relocating to New Jersey
May 18, 2026•6 min read

Thinking about leaving Staten Island for somewhere with a little more breathing room?

Monmouth County is showing up on more SI families' shortlists than ever.

It is not always loud. Nobody is throwing a parade about it. But the move has been quietly building for the last few years. And for the right family, it makes a lot of sense.

I am Allison Mireau with Real Connect Group. Let me walk you through what is actually drawing Staten Islanders south, what to know before you go, and the trade-offs that matter.

Why Monmouth County, and why now

Monmouth County sits along the Jersey Shore, south of Middlesex and east of the Garden State Parkway. It is closer than people think. About an hour from Staten Island, depending on traffic and which town you are in.

For SI families weighing a move, three things tend to drive the conversation.

1. More house for the money

This is the loudest factor.

A $750,000 budget in Tottenville buys you a certain kind of home. The same budget in parts of Monmouth County often gets you more lot, more square footage, sometimes newer construction.

It is not universal. Some Monmouth towns rival NYC pricing. But across many areas, the math favors the buyer compared to a similar-sized SI home.

2. Lifestyle shift

Monmouth has shore towns. Walkable downtowns. Wide streets, mature trees, and a slower pace.

Families moving from busy parts of SI often describe the shift as a deep breath. The drive home feels different. The weekends feel different.

Some neighborhoods feel suburban. Some feel coastal. Some feel rural. The variety is part of the draw.

3. Commute math

Monmouth has solid commuter options.

  • The North Jersey Coast Line train runs into Manhattan

  • The Seastreak ferry connects Atlantic Highlands and Belford to Pier 11 and East 35th Street

  • Garden State Parkway access for drivers

For families where one or both adults still work in the city, this matters more than people realize. The ferry alone has changed how some SI residents think about leaving.

The towns Staten Islanders tend to land in

Monmouth is a big county. Not every town fits every family. A few that come up often in my SI-to-Monmouth relocation work.

Holmdel and Marlboro

Family-focused. Strong school reputations. Larger lots. Suburban feel with NYC commute access. Often the first stop on a serious search.

Hazlet, Aberdeen, Matawan

Tighter price points than Holmdel. Closer to the parkway and the train. Quieter neighborhoods, but with downtowns and parks. Good fit for first-time buyers or families looking for more affordable Monmouth options.

Middletown

Big. Diverse in terms of pricing, lot size, and feel. From mid-range homes to higher-end estates. Lots of school options. Easy ferry access from Belford.

Red Bank and Fair Haven

Walkable downtown energy. Restaurants, shops, character. Tighter inventory. Often appeals to SI buyers who want walkability without losing access to nature.

Atlantic Highlands and Highlands

Coastal feel. Hilly terrain, water views, ferry access. Smaller-town vibe. Strong appeal for buyers wanting a lifestyle shift, not just a logistical one.

Manalapan, Freehold, Howell

Further inland. More space, lower price per square foot, often a quieter pace. Longer commute, but real value for families prioritizing land and home size.

Every town has trade-offs. Schools, taxes, commute, lot size, walkability. The right fit depends on your priorities, not a top-ten list.

What surprises Staten Islanders

A few honest patterns I see when SI families tour Monmouth for the first time.

Property taxes are the loudest surprise

Monmouth taxes vary widely by town. Some are manageable. Some are sharp.

A $750,000 home in one Monmouth town might run $9,000 a year in taxes. The same home in a neighboring town might run $14,000.

Before you tour, get the tax number. It changes which towns are realistic.

For specifics on your situation, talk to a CPA. I can refer trusted ones.

Commute reality varies

Monmouth feels closer than it sometimes is.

If you are taking the ferry, plan around the schedule. If you are driving, plan around the parkway and the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel. If you are taking the train, time your home choice around the station.

Test the actual commute before you buy. Not on a Saturday. On a Tuesday at 7 AM.

NJ rules are different from NY rules

Attorney review. Different inspection culture. Different closing timeline. Different lender expectations.

A SI Realtor who does not actively work in NJ will miss things. A real estate expert and expert relocation Realtor who handles both sides keeps the process clean.

Schools matter, but not the way you think

Many Staten Islanders move for the schools. Fair.

But school comparisons are not as simple as one being good and another being bad. School quality varies by district, by zone, sometimes by year.

Talk to families already in the district. Visit the schools. Look at programs, not just rankings.

I will not characterize schools as good or bad. I will help you find the data and the people to make your own call.

What the move actually involves

A few honest checkpoints.

  • Get your SI home valued honestly. Real comps, real net.

  • Run the tax math for Monmouth. Property taxes shape monthly cost more than purchase price does.

  • Test the commute. All of them. Train, ferry, drive.

  • Tour at different times. Saturday and Tuesday tell different stories.

  • Find an agent who works both sides. SI and NJ. Not someone who sells you on Monmouth and hopes someone else handles the SI side.

That last one is the difference between a clean move and a stressful one.

How the SI sale fits in

This is where I see most relocating sellers slip.

They fall in love with a Monmouth home before they know what their SI home will actually sell for. Then they rush the listing, accept a weaker offer, and lose money on the sale to fund the next purchase.

The order matters.

  • Get a real CMA on your SI home

  • Decide your minimum acceptable net

  • Plan the Monmouth search around that data

  • Build flexibility into both the listing and the new purchase

Sellers who plan this way close clean. The ones who flip the order pay for the lesson.

What I will not pretend to advise on

I am not a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, or school consultant. For tax, legal, financing, and school-specific decisions, talk to the right professional. I can refer trusted ones on both sides of the bridge.

All of our work follows the Fair Housing Act, RESPA, the NAR Code of Ethics, and the real estate commission guidelines for New York and New Jersey.

Before you start touring

Monmouth County rewards families who plan the move. It punishes families who rush it.

Get your numbers first. Get the right team second. Tour after that.

Have questions about selling your home or relocating? Reach out to Allison today.

Call: 646.266.0188 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rconnectrealty.com

Contact Allison today to sell your home in SI and find your next one in Monmouth County.

relocating to Monmouth CountyStaten Island to Monmouth NJexpert relocation RealtorStaten Island real estate expertsell home Staten Islandhome selling tips in Staten IslandMonmouth County real estateHolmdel Marlboro Hazlet MiddletownNJ Coast Line commuteReal Connect GroupAllison Mireau RealtorSI to NJ move
Bringing extensive knowledge and experience of the Real Estate market, Allison offers her clients an outstanding level of service. Honesty and integrity are two characteristics that have helped Allison build a business of repeat clients and referrals. She has been selling Real Estate since 2014 and became a Top Producer in 2016. Allison's hard work and dedication to her clients have consistently Tripled her amount of Business every year. She specializes in helping people making a local move, selling their current home and purchasing another, but likes working with first time buyers as well since she can relate to them! While the process can be stressful, Allison focuses on making the transition as smooth and stress free as possible by getting to know her clients and meeting their needs. She always works with one goal in mind: to better serve her clients using the latest technology & marketing strategies, but without forgetting that "old-fashioned" values like professionalism and morals still matter to people, a lot. During a transaction as emotionally and financially important as buying or selling a home, the person who holds your hand during the process needs to be an expert, but also genuinely care about their client's and their families best interest. When Allison is not selling Real Estate, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also Volunteer's at local charities and fundraisers.

Allison Mireau

Bringing extensive knowledge and experience of the Real Estate market, Allison offers her clients an outstanding level of service. Honesty and integrity are two characteristics that have helped Allison build a business of repeat clients and referrals. She has been selling Real Estate since 2014 and became a Top Producer in 2016. Allison's hard work and dedication to her clients have consistently Tripled her amount of Business every year. She specializes in helping people making a local move, selling their current home and purchasing another, but likes working with first time buyers as well since she can relate to them! While the process can be stressful, Allison focuses on making the transition as smooth and stress free as possible by getting to know her clients and meeting their needs. She always works with one goal in mind: to better serve her clients using the latest technology & marketing strategies, but without forgetting that "old-fashioned" values like professionalism and morals still matter to people, a lot. During a transaction as emotionally and financially important as buying or selling a home, the person who holds your hand during the process needs to be an expert, but also genuinely care about their client's and their families best interest. When Allison is not selling Real Estate, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also Volunteer's at local charities and fundraisers.

Back to Blog