Thinking about trading city noise for coastal calm without giving up your NYC career? Middletown in Monmouth County offers real commute choices and a wide range of homes, all within reach of the Shore. You want simple weekday logistics and a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and budget. This guide breaks down train, ferry, coach, and driving options, then maps out housing types, prices, and taxes so you can plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Commute choices that work
Train from Middletown station
NJ TRANSIT’s North Jersey Coast Line runs from Middletown to New York Penn Station. Many weekday trains reach Midtown in about 65 to 75 minutes from the platform, depending on the express or local pattern. The station has large park-and-ride lots, a staffed ticket office, and posted permit and daily parking details on the official page. Check schedules and parking details on the Middletown station page from NJ TRANSIT and confirm a sample run using an illustrative timetable example.
Pros: predictable routing to Midtown, high parking capacity, frequent departures at peak times. Cons: peak crowding, occasional delays, and your door-to-door time depends on the drive and parking window.
Ferry from Belford
The Belford Ferry Terminal in Middletown offers weekday service to Pier 11/Wall Street, Brookfield Place, and Midtown West/West 39th Street. Operator schedules show crossings to Lower Manhattan at roughly 40 minutes, with Midtown runs typically longer. Review stops and fares on the NY Waterway Belford route page.
Parking is straightforward at Belford, with county-operated lots and a shuttle system. A Monmouth County release cites about 1,000 spaces and notes complimentary shuttles within the lot. See the latest details in the county press release. Pros: fast and comfortable to Lower Manhattan, scenic ride, less affected by highway traffic. Cons: higher per-ride cost than rail, weekday-focused schedules, and popular peak sailings can fill.
Coach to Midtown
Private coach carriers run park-and-ride style express routes from Monmouth County to Port Authority for a one-seat ride to Midtown. Stops commonly include Lincroft Park & Ride or nearby corridors. For a representative route overview and stop patterns, see this transit listing on Moovit. Pros: direct to Port Authority if your office is nearby. Cons: subject to tunnel traffic and schedule variability by carrier.
Driving to Manhattan
If you need maximum flexibility, driving via the Garden State Parkway north to your preferred tunnel or bridge works, but it is the least predictable. Local guidance often gives a wide morning window of about 60 to 120+ minutes door to door, depending on origin, destination, and incidents. For a commuter perspective on variability and ferry comparisons, see this local report.
Quick compare: when each shines
- Choose the train if you want consistent Midtown access and reliable parking at the station.
- Choose the ferry if your office is in Lower Manhattan and you value comfort and speed over per-ride cost.
- Choose a coach if you work near Port Authority and want a one-seat ride.
- Choose to drive if your hours are off-peak or you need door-to-door flexibility.
A sample commute day
To Midtown (New York Penn)
- Drive 10 to 15 minutes to Middletown station, park, and reach the platform.
- Board a weekday morning train that arrives at New York Penn in about 65 to 75 minutes based on express vs. local patterns. Confirm with this example schedule and recheck the week you move.
- Walk or take a short subway or taxi to your office.
To Lower Manhattan (Wall Street / Brookfield Place)
- Drive 10 to 15 minutes to Belford, park, and head to the terminal.
- Board a morning sailing to Pier 11/Wall Street with a scheduled crossing of roughly 40 minutes. Verify current stops and times on NY Waterway’s Belford page.
- Walk to the Financial District or connect via subway.
Tip: Test both options from your exact address during your typical commute window. The “last mile” to the station or terminal often decides which mode feels easier.
Housing overview and price ranges
Middletown offers a mix of classic colonials, capes, and ranches, plus townhomes, condos, and waterfront properties along the Navesink and Raritan Bay. Owner occupancy is high and broadband access is strong, which suits hybrid work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts, the median value of owner-occupied homes is $569,900, the owner-occupied rate is 86.2 percent, median gross rent is $1,510, and about 94.9 percent of households have broadband. See the Census QuickFacts for context.
Recent market snapshots for ZIP 07748 have shown higher current medians than the multi-year Census estimate. For example, aggregated listing and sales data have hovered near the mid-to-high $700,000s in early 2026. Always verify live pricing before you tour.
Representative price bands you can expect to see:
- Condos and entry townhomes: often low to mid $300,000s to $500,000.
- Typical single-family homes: often mid $500,000s to $900,000, with higher prices in certain pockets.
- Waterfront and larger estates: $1 million and up in premium sections.
Your final budget will depend on location, lot size, renovation level, and proximity to the ferry, station, and coastline.
Neighborhood snapshots
Lincroft
Centered living with convenient access to services and major roads, and a short drive to Middletown station. Prices trend higher due to larger lots and homes. A practical choice if you want a quiet setting with quick access to transit and town amenities.
Belford, Port Monmouth, Cliffwood Beach
Closer to the Belford ferry and shoreline recreation. You will find a range of single-family homes and multifamily options. A smart fit if the ferry is your primary commute mode.
North and central Middletown
Mixed price points with easy access to Route 35 and 36, shopping, and station corridors. Good balance if you split time between train and ferry.
For families evaluating public schools, start with the Middletown Township Public School District site for enrollment and boundary details.
Property taxes and monthly planning
New Jersey property taxes are a major part of your monthly budget. Local summaries indicate Middletown’s median annual bill often falls around $9,800 to $10,900. Use that range for orientation, then get an exact estimate for a specific property based on its assessed value. For a quick primer on New Jersey taxes by town and county, see this statewide summary.
Simple planning tip: add an estimated monthly tax line to your mortgage and insurance budget so your number reflects local reality.
Lifestyle and hybrid work perks
Weekends are easy here. Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, delivers beaches, trails, and historic sites a short drive away. Get a feel for seasonal access on the National Park Service site.
Daily errands are simple along Route 35 and 36, with groceries, retail, and services close by. Regional hospitals and medical centers are within a reasonable drive in nearby Red Bank, Neptune, and Tinton Falls. With high household broadband penetration, most hybrid workers find work-from-home days smooth.
How to pick your best commute
- Map your door-to-platform routine. Time the drive to Middletown station and Belford at rush hour, including parking and walk time.
- Price your month. Compare a monthly rail pass, 10-trip or monthly ferry pass, and the cost of driving plus tolls and parking. Check official fare pages for current pricing.
- Plan for permits. Review permit parking lead times for the station and any ferry lot rules on operator and municipal pages.
- Leverage commuter benefits. If your employer offers pre-tax transit, run the savings across your likely mode.
- Recheck before you move. Schedules change; verify your plan the week prior to closing.
If you want a tailored list of homes within a 10-minute drive of your preferred station or the ferry, we can curate on- and off-market options.
Ready to explore Middletown like a local and craft a commute that fits your week? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation with the Suzanne Veninata Team to start your search.
FAQs
How long is the train from Middletown to NYC Penn Station?
- Many weekday trains take about 65 to 75 minutes from Middletown station to New York Penn, plus your drive and parking time. Confirm on the NJ TRANSIT station page and an example timetable.
Is the Belford ferry faster to Lower Manhattan than the train?
- Often yes. Operator schedules show Belford to Pier 11/Wall Street in roughly 40 minutes, which can beat rail for downtown offices. Check stops and fares on NY Waterway’s Belford page.
Where do I park for the ferry and the train?
- Middletown station has large permit and daily lots with details on NJ TRANSIT’s station page. Belford has county-operated lots with about 1,000 spaces and shuttles per this county release.
Are there direct buses from Middletown to Midtown?
- Yes. Private coach routes operate express service from Monmouth County park-and-ride locations to Port Authority. See a representative route pattern on Moovit and verify current schedules with the carrier.
What are typical home prices in Middletown, NJ?
- Census data shows a median owner-occupied value of $569,900. Recent listing and sales snapshots for ZIP 07748 have hovered in the mid-to-high $700,000s, with condos often in the $300,000s to $500,000s, many single-family homes from the mid $500,000s to $900,000, and waterfront starting near $1 million.
How high are property taxes in Middletown?
- Local summaries place the median annual bill around $9,800 to $10,900. Use that as a planning range and request an assessment-based estimate for any home you are considering. For an overview, see this New Jersey property tax guide.
What outdoor amenities are close by?
- Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area offers beaches, trails, and historic sites within a short drive. Explore seasonal details on the NPS page.
