Do you like living near the beach while having access to the amenities of a big city? Chicago can offer both of these, as it sits on Lake Michigan with numerous beaches to offer its residents. However, if you crave living off the ocean, but still want access to the beach and big city (without living on top of them), you might want to consider Monmouth County, New Jersey as an option.

Monmouth County offers many pleasant areas that you can call home, including Middletown Township, Howell, Manalapan, Marlboro and Freehold. These communities are a short drive from popular beach destinations and hotspots in the Asbury Park, Long Branch, Sandy Hook and Sea Bright. During the warm weather months, you can get your fill of the beach and boardwalk life, while having the amenities and quality living in affluent communities year round.

If you like to visit a big city on occasion, but don’t want to deal with big city living, you can get this by living in Monmouth County. Downtown Manhattan is a 1-2 hour drive away – making it a perfect urban day trip or weekend getaway during the colder months.

So, if you must leave Chicago and want to give the East Coast a try, you can use one of the Monmouth County moving companies to help you on your journey. Don’t worry – you are always welcome back to Chicago if you change your mind later.