Mystic Shores in Little Egg Harbor, NJ: A Guide to This Adult Community

Mystic Shores is an adult community of 365 homes in the Mystic Island area of Little Egg Harbor Township, built between 1975 and 1994. I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living. It is close to Great Bay. Here is what the sources say.

Where Mystic Shores Is

55places places Mystic Shores off exit 58 of the Garden State Parkway, about one mile from Route 9, near Great Bay. Mystic Island is a section of Little Egg Harbor Township, not a separate town. The Ocean County Planning Department lists "Mystic Shores Adult Community" under Little Egg Harbor Township, and 55places lists it as age-restricted (55 and older).

55places mentions a county golf course about two minutes away, bay fishing and boating nearby, the Tuckerton Seaport maritime museum down the road, Manahawkin about ten minutes away, and Atlantic City about 20 minutes away.

The Homes and Models

Homes range from about 930 to 1,760 square feet on tree-lined streets. The community is mostly single-family, with a small section of attached homes. 55places says the homes have two bedrooms, one or two baths and an attached garage, and most have a screened room on the back, some since enclosed as Florida rooms. It names twelve models:

• Madison: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 930 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Kingston: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,000 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Jamesburg: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,100 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Yorktowne: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1,200 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Strathmere: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,221 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Ashley: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,250 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Concord: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1,250 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Oxford: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,260 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Cambridge: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,400 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Bennington: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,480 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Crystal: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,600 sq ft, 1-car garage
• Montclair: 2 bedrooms plus den, 2 baths, 1,760 sq ft, 1-car garage

55places does not say which models are single-family and which are attached. "Plus den" means an extra room beyond the bedrooms.

The Clubhouse and Amenities

The 11,000-square-foot clubhouse has a fitness center, a craft room, a game and hobby room, a library, and a ballroom with a kitchen. Outside there is an outdoor pool, shuffleboard, bocce, horseshoe pits and a walking and biking path through the community. 55places lists clubs such as Mah Jongg, aerobics, cards, sewing, a walking group, a travel club, a men's club and a women's club.

Association Fees

55places says the fee is the same regardless of home size or model. Ask Dennis Mark for the current fees.

Shopping, Medical Care and Getting Around

• Groceries: ACME Markets, 425 US Highway 9, Tuckerton, about 2 miles in a straight line.
• Hospital: Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center, 1140 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, about 10.8 miles in a straight line.
• Transit: NJ TRANSIT route 559 to Atlantic City and Ocean Ride's OC6 Little Egg Harbor to Stafford route serve the township. Stop locations were not confirmed.

What to Know Before Buying in an Adult Community

Buying in an age-restricted community works a little differently from buying on an ordinary street. Here are the questions worth asking before you make an offer. None of this is legal advice, and your attorney should review the documents with you.

• The age and occupancy rules. Ask the association for its written rules: who must be 55 or older, whether a younger spouse or partner may live in the home, and how long guests may stay.
• Rentals. Some associations limit or restrict leasing. If you may ever rent the home, find out before you buy.
• What the monthly fee covers. Fees change, and the list of services changes with them. Ask for the current budget and what is included today.
• Resale and move-in charges. Many associations charge a one-time fee when a home changes hands. Ask the amount and who pays it.
• Exterior rules. Fences, patios, paint colors and additions usually need association approval.
• Enclosed porches. If a screened room has been enclosed, ask whether it was permitted and whether it is heated and cooled, since that affects the home's value and appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mystic Shores?

In the Mystic Island section of Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County, off exit 58 of the Garden State Parkway and about a mile from Route 9.

Is Mystic Shores gated?

No. 55places lists it as not gated.

How much are the HOA fees at Mystic Shores?

55places says the fee is the same for every model. Ask Dennis Mark for the current fees.

Do the homes have garages?

Yes. 55places says the homes have an attached garage.

Thinking About Mystic Shores?

I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Mystic Shores or anywhere in Little Egg Harbor, I can pull the homes currently for sale, walk the clubhouse with you, and help you get the association documents in hand before you commit. Reach out to me and let's talk about what you are looking for.