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Belmar:

A Town for all Seasons

People come from all over the state, and many come from New York, to walk along Belmar's 1.02 miles of boardwalk, stay in the hotels and inns, take fishing trips out of the Belmar Marina, dine and drink in the restaurants and bars, surf the swells and relax in the sun and sand. Nestled between the quieter and tinier boroughs of Avon and Spring Lake, Belmar attracts a mix of families and singles of all ages.

South Belmar, right next door on Route 71, is Belmar's smaller partner, only 0.25 square miles. Many South Belmar residents tend to consider Belmar's beachfront partly their own, since their tiny hamlet is inland. And like Belmar's shaded streets, South Belmar's have a homey feel with a mix of bungalows and larger single-family homes -- a place where people come and stay. South Belmar was formed in 1924, bounded on the west by the railroad, on the north by 16th Avenue, on the east by B Street, and on the south by Lake Como.

Belmar was settled back in 1872 by a group of 25 men who wanted a summer community of their own. More than 17 hotels were in operation by 1890. Summer bungalows still decorate the blocks closest to the ocean of many streets in town. These small houses become home to hordes of summer renters, though more and more people are staying year-round and converting these old shelters into long-term residences. The Borough Council last year passed an ordinance that regulates summer rentals with the goal of improving the quality of life for year-round residents who complain of overcrowding and noise from the seasonal, rental homes. Shade trees cool both sides of the roads close to Main Street and the old Victorian homes that line them.

Although Belmar is gradually becoming more of a year-round town, with people living here full time and commuting to work all over the state and to New York or Philadelphia -- many take the train from the local station -- the shift between the seasons here is still dramatic.

Common Facts

Schools

BELMAR BOROUGH
(732) 280-9218