AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”

Josie J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”

Pamgoldberg
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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”

Theodore S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

Leta J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”

Carla500226
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”

Judy367738
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TESTIMONIALS

“We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”

Nancy176801
 In-Home Care Old Bridge, NJ

How does In-home Senior Care in Old Bridge, NJ work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Old Bridge, NJ

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Old Bridge, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Old Bridge, NJ gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Old Bridge, NJ

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Old Bridge,NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Old Bridge, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Old Bridge, NJ

10 most expensive homes sold in the Old Bridge area, Sept. 11-17

A house in Matawan that sold for $835,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.In total, 24 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $489,500. The average price per square foot ended up at $306.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 11 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $520,000, condominium at 33 Harbor Bay Ci...

A house in Matawan that sold for $835,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.

In total, 24 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $489,500. The average price per square foot ended up at $306.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 11 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $520,000, condominium at 33 Harbor Bay Circle

The sale of the condominium at 33 Harbor Bay Circle, South Amboy, has been finalized. The price was $520,000, and the new owners took over the condominium in August. The condominium was built in 2003 and has a living area of 1,998 square feet. The price per square foot was $260. The deal was finalized on Aug. 28.

9. $545,000, detached house at 83 Southwood Drive

The 1,953 square-foot single-family house at 83 Southwood Drive in Old Bridge has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $545,000, $279 per square foot. The house was built in 1954. The deal was finalized on Aug. 24.

8. $550,000, single-family house at 21 Andrew Street

The 1,380 square-foot detached house at 21 Andrew Street, Old Bridge, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $550,000, $399 per square foot. The house was built in 1958. The deal was finalized on Aug. 24.

7. $575,000, single-family home at 115 Conlogue Ave.

The property at 115 Conlogue Ave. in South Amboy has new owners. The price was $575,000. The house was built in 1950 and has a living area of 1,928 square feet. The price per square foot is $298. The deal was finalized on Aug. 23.

6. $595,000, single-family residence at 96 Aberdeen Road

A sale has been finalized for the single-family house at 96 Aberdeen Road in Matawan. The price was $595,000 and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 1980 and the living area totals 2,079 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $286. The deal was finalized on Aug. 24.

5. $610,000, single-family house at 109 Fawn Drive

The sale of the single family residence at 109 Fawn Drive in Matawan has been finalized. The price was $610,000, and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 1984 and has a living area of 1,958 square feet. The price per square foot was $312. The deal was finalized on Aug. 25.

4. $620,000, detached house at 6 Lark Place

The property at 6 Lark Place in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $620,000. The house was built in 1958 and has a living area of 1,529 square feet. The price per square foot is $405. The deal was finalized on Aug. 28.

3. $667,000, single-family residence at 142 Wainwright Drive

The 2,277 square-foot single-family residence at 142 Wainwright Drive in Matawan has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $667,000, $293 per square foot. The house was built in 1992. The deal was finalized on Aug. 24.

2. $810,000, single-family home at 31 Birch Street

The property at 31 Birch Street in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $810,000. The house was built in 1994 and has a living area of 2,948 square feet. The price per square foot is $275. The deal was finalized on Aug. 22.

1. $835,000, single-family residence at 422 Cottrell Road

A sale has been finalized for the single-family home at 422 Cottrell Road in Matawan. The price was $835,000 and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 1952 and the living area totals 2,284 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $366. The deal was finalized on Aug. 22.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

10 most expensive homes sold in the Old Bridge area, June 12-18

A house in Old Bridge that sold for $915,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area between June 12 and June 18.In total, 27 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $483,835. The average price per square foot ended up at $295.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of June 12 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $550,000, detached house at...

A house in Old Bridge that sold for $915,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area between June 12 and June 18.

In total, 27 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $483,835. The average price per square foot ended up at $295.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of June 12 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $550,000, detached house at 220 Community Circle

The sale of the single-family home at 220 Community Circle, Old Bridge, has been finalized. The price was $550,000, and the house changed hands in May. The house was built in 1984 and has a living area of 1,915 square feet. The price per square foot was $287. The deal was finalized on May. 19.

9. $575,000, single-family house at 77 Michael Road

The 1,196 square-foot detached house at 77 Michael Road, Spotswood, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in May and the total purchase price was $575,000, $481 per square foot. The house was built in 1961. The deal was finalized on May. 22.

8. $600,000, single-family home at 22 Amber Drive

The property at 22 Amber Drive in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $600,000. The house was built in 2005 and has a living area of 2,130 square feet. The price per square foot is $282. The deal was finalized on May. 24.

7. $615,000, single-family residence at 210 Villanova Place

The sale of the single family residence at 210 Villanova Place in Matawan has been finalized. The price was $615,000, and the new owners took over the house in May. The house was built in 1972 and has a living area of 2,214 square feet. The price per square foot was $278. The deal was finalized on May. 30.

6. $629,000, single-family house at 4379 Highway 516

A sale has been finalized for the single-family residence at 4379 Highway 516 in Matawan. The price was $629,000 and the new owners took over the house in May. The house was built in 1966 and the living area totals 2,204 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $285. The deal was finalized on May. 19.

5. $654,800, single-family residence at 44 Owens Road

The 1,748 square-foot single-family house at 44 Owens Road in Old Bridge has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in May and the total purchase price was $654,800, $375 per square foot. The house was built in 1963. The deal was finalized on May. 18.

4. $665,000, detached house at 14 Black Oak Lane

The property at 14 Black Oak Lane in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $665,000. The house was built in 1991 and has a living area of 2,153 square feet. The price per square foot is $309. The deal was finalized on May. 24.

3. $720,000, single-family home at 146 S. South Broadway

The property at 146 S. South Broadway in South Amboy has new owners. The price was $720,000. The house was built in 1905 and has a living area of 2,832 square feet. The price per square foot is $254. The deal was finalized on May. 24.

2. $849,000, single-family residence at 2 Sand Piper Drive

The sale of the single-family residence at 2 Sand Piper Drive, South Amboy, has been finalized. The price was $849,000, and the new owners took over the house in May. The house was built in 2003 and has a living area of 3,021 square feet. The price per square foot was $281. The deal was finalized on May. 18.

1. $915,000, single-family house at 5 Wright Court

The sale of the single family residence at 5 Wright Court in Old Bridge has been finalized. The price was $915,000, and the new owners took over the house in May. The house was built in 2020 and has a living area of 3,394 square feet. The price per square foot was $270. The deal was finalized on May. 26.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

10 most expensive homes sold in the Old Bridge area, June 26 - July 2

A house in Old Bridge that sold for $725,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.In total, 13 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $431,309, $306 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of June 26 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $360,000, single-family home at 821 Marlboro RoadThe sale of...

A house in Old Bridge that sold for $725,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.

In total, 13 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $431,309, $306 per square foot.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of June 26 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $360,000, single-family home at 821 Marlboro Road

The sale of the single family residence at 821 Marlboro Road in Old Bridge has been finalized. The price was $360,000, and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1960 and has a living area of 1,650 square feet. The price per square foot was $218. The deal was finalized on Jun. 7.

9. $405,000, single-family residence at 310 Second Street

The 1,086 square-foot single-family house at 310 Second Street, South Amboy, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $405,000, $373 per square foot. The house was built in 1934. The deal was finalized on Jun. 7.

8. $425,000, single-family house at 13 Shupin Street

The sale of the single-family house at 13 Shupin Street, Spotswood, has been finalized. The price was $425,000, and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1949 and has a living area of 936 square feet. The price per square foot was $454. The deal was finalized on Jun. 8.

7. $451,000, detached house at 249 Kath Street

The property at 249 Kath Street in South Amboy has new owners. The price was $451,000. The house was built in 1957 and has a living area of 1,120 square feet. The price per square foot is $403. The deal was finalized on Jun. 8.

6. $510,000, condominium at 7 Raritan Reach Road

The 1,885 square-foot condominium at 7 Raritan Reach Road in South Amboy has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $510,000, $271 per square foot. The condominium was built in 2006. The deal was finalized on Jun. 7.

5. $515,000, single-family residence at 8 Newland Place

A sale has been finalized for the single-family home at 8 Newland Place in Matawan. The price was $515,000 and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1961 and the living area totals 1,743 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $295. The deal was finalized on Jun. 7.

4. $550,000, single-family house at 59 Alpha Ave.

The property at 59 Alpha Ave. in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $550,000. The house was built in 1958 and has a living area of 1,529 square feet. The price per square foot is $360. The deal was finalized on Jun. 8.

3. $587,018, single-family home at 14 Ivanhoe Lane

The 2,206 square-foot single-family residence at 14 Ivanhoe Lane, Matawan, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $587,018, $266 per square foot. The house was built in 1961. The deal was finalized on Jun. 9.

2. $714,000, detached house at 85 Springhill Road

The sale of the single family residence at 85 Springhill Road in Matawan has been finalized. The price was $714,000, and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1986 and has a living area of 2,472 square feet. The price per square foot was $289. The deal was finalized on Jun. 8.

1. $725,000, detached house at 32 Arvin Road

The property at 32 Arvin Road in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $725,000. The house was built in 1967 and has a living area of 2,222 square feet. The price per square foot is $326. The deal was finalized on Jun. 7.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

10 most expensive homes sold in the Old Bridge area, July 3-9

A house in Matawan that sold for $780,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.In total, 22 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $446,786, $287 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of July 3 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $475,000, single-family house at 9 Portsmouth DriveThe property ...

A house in Matawan that sold for $780,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Old Bridge area in the past week.

In total, 22 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $446,786, $287 per square foot.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of July 3 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $475,000, single-family house at 9 Portsmouth Drive

The property at 9 Portsmouth Drive in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $475,000. The house was built in 1982 and has a living area of 1,306 square feet. The price per square foot is $364. The deal was finalized on Jun. 12.

9. $518,300, single-family home at 322 Cindy Street

The sale of the single-family residence at 322 Cindy Street, Old Bridge, has been finalized. The price was $518,300, and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1963 and has a living area of 1,600 square feet. The price per square foot was $324. The deal was finalized on Jun. 15.

8. $540,000, single-family residence at 4 Cymbeline Drive

The 1,964 square-foot detached house at 4 Cymbeline Drive in Old Bridge has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $540,000, $275 per square foot. The house was built in 1966. The deal was finalized on Jun. 15.

7. $550,000, detached house at 11 Pine Ave.

The property at 11 Pine Ave. in South Amboy has new owners. The price was $550,000. The house was built in 1984 and has a living area of 2,243 square feet. The price per square foot is $245. The deal was finalized on Jun. 20.

6. $565,000, single-family home at 35 Carlisle Court

A sale has been finalized for the single-family home at 35 Carlisle Court in Old Bridge. The price was $565,000 and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1988 and the living area totals 1,633 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $346. The deal was finalized on Jun. 20.

5. $570,000, single-family house at 37 Sunrise Road

The 1,500 square-foot single-family residence at 37 Sunrise Road, Old Bridge, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $570,000, $380 per square foot. The house was built in 1954. The deal was finalized on Jun. 19.

4. $622,000, detached house at 47 Arden Road

The sale of the single family residence at 47 Arden Road in Old Bridge has been finalized. The price was $622,000, and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1963 and has a living area of 1,916 square feet. The price per square foot was $325. The deal was finalized on Jun. 14.

3. $650,000, single-family residence at 9 Central Ave.

The property at 9 Central Ave. in Old Bridge has new owners. The price was $650,000. The house was built in 1989 and has a living area of 2,202 square feet. The price per square foot is $295. The deal was finalized on Jun. 21.

2. $700,000, single-family home at 14 Emily Drive

The 2,345 square-foot single-family house at 14 Emily Drive in Old Bridge has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in June and the total purchase price was $700,000, $299 per square foot. The house was built in 1994. The deal was finalized on Jun. 19.

1. $780,000, single-family residence at 5 Grenoble Court

The property at 5 Grenoble Court in Matawan has new owners. The price was $780,000. The house was built in 1983 and has a living area of 2,601 square feet. The price per square foot is $300. The deal was finalized on Jun. 14.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

Old Bridge takes first step in Laurence Harbor redevelopment

OLD BRIDGE – The Planning Board has agreed that 50 properties at the intersection of Route 35 and Laurence Parkway in the Laurence Harbor section be designated as a redevelopment area.The vote came after the Board assured residents that the township would not use its powers of eminent domain to acquire th...

OLD BRIDGE – The Planning Board has agreed that 50 properties at the intersection of Route 35 and Laurence Parkway in the Laurence Harbor section be designated as a redevelopment area.

The vote came after the Board assured residents that the township would not use its powers of eminent domain to acquire the properties.

"We will not be taking anybody's property," Township Planner Veena Sawant said. "That's not the township's policy. Every plan that has been written in the last 20 years has been just for redevelopment. There is no plan in place. This is a first, baby step. It's a long and lengthy process."

"If the municipality wanted to utilize eminent domain or condemnation for this or any of the other redevelopment, it has to do so right from the start," Planning Board attorney Joseph Sordillo said. "In this case, it can't happen. It just can't happen unless this whole process starts from the beginning all over again and everyone will be given notice of that fact."

The redevelopment designation does not include any recommendations for specific development. That will happen later in the drafting of a redevelopment plan by the Planning Board and Township Council with public input.

The properties in the redevelopment area include several single-family homes at least 70 years old, as well as the Laurence Harbor Post Office, Laurence Harbor First Aid Squad, Hoffman Pharmacy, Lisa Restaurant, Harbor Liquors, Krauszer's, Dunkin’, a vacant bank and a strip mall with a high vacancy.

The redevelopment study was prompted by underutilized and vacant parcels, vacant stores and the area’s proximity to the Laurence Harbor waterfront and community facilities.

More:Superfund cleanup stands beside Old Bridge’s new beachfront community center

More:$35M from federal infrastructure bill will fix waterways in Middlesex County

The area consists of 25 residential lots, 13 commercial lots, five public lots, one church, four vacant lots, and two other tax-exempt parcels.

In 2020, the Council authorized the Planning Board to undertake a study, Sawant said.

Sawant said she believes the residents living there will benefit from the designation, including the opportunity to apply for a short-term tax exemption.

The state's Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law authorizes municipalities to grant short-term tax abatements and exemptions for home improvements, commercial and industrial improvements, and the improvement or conversion of multiple dwellings in redevelopment areas.

But, she said, the township is not going to force property owners to do anything.

In addition, she said, "just by the designation, your property value goes up and that has been historically true."

Two gas stations in the area are brownfield sites that need to be cleaned up, Sawant said, and the old post office building needs rehabilitation.

There also are a few homes with driveways forcing residents to back out onto Route 35. "It's a dangerous location," she said.

The area is bounded by Laurence Harbor Beach to the north, McKinley Avenue and Morningside Avenue to the east, Ravine Avenue and Sunset Avenue to the south and Lakeview Road and the Harbor Plaza strip mall to the west.

Several residents spoke at the meeting and expressed concerns about pedestrian safety and traffic.

Those concerns will be addressed in the drafting of the redevelopment plan, Sawant said.

Another resident said she heard a rumor that condos were coming. Sawant said she, too, heard the rumors.

"The administration, myself, we have not come across any concept, any developer who has approached us to do that," she said. "Those are rumors. There is no plan in place. Today the comments you're making are well received. When we work on the plan those comments will be very helpful to us. So your voice is definitely going to be heard, but when we write the redevelopment plan."

The owner of a vacant property behind Dunkin' said his property is "underutilized" and is something that can benefit from being in a redevelopment area.

"We certainly look forward to participating if this were to go forward," he said.

Email: [email protected]

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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