Hi all,

I recently started the process of looking for a second home in The Wildwoods, NJ. I spent summers in N. Wildwood while growing up and have stayed with relatives at various places in the Crest. I've seen a number of listings on Realtor.com and on sites carrying FSBO postings for the "west side" of Wildwood ([u]not[/u] West Wildwood - I know where that is) in the Ottens Harbor area and around the foot of the Rio Grande bridge. Generally I'd say this is the area west of New Jersey Ave. starting at Youngs Ave. extending south to Cresse Ave.

Is there anybody out there who lives in this area or has rented in this area in the past who can tell me about what it's like there in the summer? Do the owners generally occupy their units as primary/vacation homes or do they only rent them out? Is it as noisy as the boardwalk or quieter? I've already done some "scouting" of listings in this area recently in the off-season, but I haven't toured any properties anywhere. The area doesn't look bad or run-down. Some of the interior photos I've seen look impressive though I know they can be misleading or even "doctored up." Overall, my impression is that it looks like developers were beginning to redevelop it when the housing bubble burst. It seems like there are a lot of new condos there with a number of empty lots and not too many of the bungalows/cottages that used to dominate the shore towns.

My family has generally avoided the "heart" of Wildwood except for going there to eat occasionally and, of course, going up on the boardwalk. So I have no experience to draw on. I realize these are questions that could be answered by a buyer's agent, but I'd rather try to learn from someone more impartial (i.e. no potential commission at stake).

Thank you,
southjerseygma