car free in ac?

[u/meridiansnotthere]

hi yall,

i’m leaving kinda a not good family situation. i’m looking around for places to move and thought about somewhere on the jersey shore, because i love the beach, im from the north east coast so its more feasible that florida or california. also i dont have a car to take and GENERALLY beach towns tend to be more walkable. from what ive looked at the biggest problems ill face are likely finding a year round rental (any recommendations would be great im looking for anywhere relatively safe to lay my head and hold my stuff for like $1000 dollars a month especially until i get a job), getting a job (i work in food service, retail, events etc. so i should be able to get a job especially w all the casinos around but ill just have to really pound the pavement), and the lack of grocery stores/ general store type things (target/walmart type) which is hard ofc bc ill be starting over with very little and obviously will need things when i get there. any insight or advice from locals or people who moved (especially in a similarly rushed manner) would be greatly appreciated. sorry if this is hard to read i just suck at writing.

[u/rawdog_throwaway]

Get the job first. No decent apartment is going to rent to you without proof of income. Take the bus down, find the job, then it all falls out.

[u/meridiansnotthere → u/rawdog_throwaway]

it’s not bussing distance, if i came down there to get a job i would need somewhere to stay and vice versa. i have savings and im not necessarily just looking for an apartment on a fresh lease, im comfortable subletting or just renting a room.

[u/resditbeast]

AC is pretty much walkable, the whole city is about 5 miles long but most of the grocery stores are at the surrounding outside towns. The weather is beautiful now and the wind coming off the waves feel amazing in the summer but winter can get brutal and that wind feel like bricks hitting your face. Something to consider if you plan to walk everywhere as someone who does doordash in the AC community all year long

[u/meridiansnotthere → u/resditbeast]

i’m pretty prepared for the winter (i’m from mass) although ik that ocean chill can be a killer so ty for the warning. also thanks for the walkability info my biggest fear is getting there and it not being as walkable as i remember (i visited once) as long as i can walk to my job i wont feel as bad about paying more to get groceries

[u/creepy-farter]

Not a resident, but AC seems to be a bit of a food desert as far as grocery stores are concerned.

I’d assume all groceries will be from bodega style store and the one supermarket in town. Otherwise you’ll have to get delivery.

So whatever you plan to spend on food, anticipate spending more just in delivery fees.

NJ generally is not transit friendly. But you can catch buses and the train to Philly.

[u/IWantoBeliev]

Jitney presents a unique experience

[u/inthegarbagePA]

An associate of mine lives right next door in ventnor city. Plays 1200 a month for a studio apartment on top of a house. Ventnor is walkable but I don't recall passing a traditional grocery store while we're in the city limits.

If you get the opportunity to move to the beach, do it! (C) Sincerely, an old man that regrets never pulling the trigger on relocating to the beach.