Sea Breeze at Lacey in Forked River, NJ: A Guide to This Adult Community

Sea Breeze at Lacey is one of the newer adult communities in southern Ocean County. Toll Brothers built it between 2008 and 2020, and 55places counts 568 single-family homes behind a gate, with a 13,000 square foot clubhouse that opened in 2011. The Ocean County Planning Department lists it as an adult community, and 55places describes it as age-restricted (55 and older). Here is a look at the homes, the amenities and the area.

Where Is Sea Breeze at Lacey?

The community is in the Forked River section of Lacey Township, Ocean County. 55places says it is less than a mile from the Garden State Parkway. Toll Brothers' own 2012 community guide places it in Lacey Township as well.

The Homes and Floor Plans

Homes range from 1,681 to 2,590 square feet, per 55places, in one-story and two-story designs. The two-story plans follow the single-level layouts and add a bedroom, a bath and a loft upstairs. Homes have two or three bedrooms, and 55places lists features such as ten-foot ceilings, tray or coffered ceilings in the primary bedroom, hardwood in the entry and kitchen, 42-inch kitchen cabinets with granite or Corian counters, and soaking tubs. 55places names eleven models, all with two-car garages:

• Westridge: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,681 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Stamford: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,720 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Norwich: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,800 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Binghamton: 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,827 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Lehigh: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,850 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Fairhaven: 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, about 1,915 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Narbeth: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, about 2,326 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Linwood: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, about 2,412 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Walden: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, about 2,431 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Farmington: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, about 2,490 sq ft, 2-car garage
• Stockton: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, about 2,590 sq ft, 2-car garage

On the day I checked, 55places showed a price range of mid $400,000s to high $500,000s based on current listings.

Clubhouse and Amenities

The clubhouse has a fitness center with an aerobics room and saunas, a card room, billiards, an arts and crafts room, a ballroom, a coffee bar, a catering kitchen, computers and shuffleboard tables. Outside there is a heated pool and spa, tennis and bocce courts, a putting green, walking and biking trails, a gazebo and ponds. 55places lists a full-time activities director.

Association Fees

55places says the fee covers lawn care, snow removal and maintenance of the amenities. Ask Dennis Mark for the current fees.

Shopping, Medical Care and Getting Around

The closest hospital in a straight line is Community Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health) at 99 Route 37 West in Toms River, about 6.3 miles away. Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin is about 11 miles. A ShopRite and a Walmart Supercenter on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor appear on the map about two miles away, but I did not confirm their current hours, so check before you go. Ocean County's Ocean Ride route OC 5 serves Lacey, Forked River, Barnegat Pines and Sunrise Beach to Lanoka Harbor, and Reserve-A-Ride offers door-to-door trips for county residents 60 and older, or disabled residents 18 and older.

What to Know Before Buying in an Age-Restricted Community

Buying in an adult community works much like buying any other home, with more paperwork to read. The association's governing documents set the age rule, who else may live in the home, how long guests may stay, and what you may change on the outside of the house. Every association writes its own rules, so read the current documents before you commit, and review them with your attorney. A few questions I suggest asking:

• What does the monthly fee cover, and is an increase planned?
• Are there one-time fees at closing, such as a capital contribution or a transfer fee, and is any special assessment pending?
• What are the rules on pets, renting the home, fences, landscaping and exterior changes?
• How are the clubhouse, pool and activities scheduled, and is anything paid separately?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sea Breeze at Lacey age-restricted?

It appears on the Ocean County Planning Department's list of adult communities, and 55places and an MLS listing describe it as 55 and older. Confirm the exact rule in the association's documents.

Who built Sea Breeze at Lacey?

Toll Brothers, per 55places and Toll Brothers' own 2012 community guide.

Is Sea Breeze at Lacey in Forked River or Lacey?

Both. Forked River is a section of Lacey Township, and the community is inside Lacey Township.

How much are the HOA fees?

Ask Dennis Mark for the current fees.

Thinking About Sea Breeze at Lacey?

If you are considering a home in Sea Breeze at Lacey or comparing it with other adult communities in Lacey Township and southern Ocean County, I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living, and I'm glad to help. I can pull the current listings, request the association documents, and walk the community with you so you can see the homes and the clubhouse in person. Visit dennismarkrealestate.com and send a message through the contact page to start the conversation.