Red Bank, Here We Come!
Photos
Only a few days left until the big day. No, I'm not getting hitched or having a baby - I'm moving to Red Bank! My boyfriend, Nathan, is a Damage Controlman with the United States Coast Guard, and after three years on a boat out of Portsmouth, N.H., he's been reassigned to a land unit at Sandy Hook. A particularly discriminating friend of mine with knowledge of the area told me that if I was going to move to the Garden State, my choice was clear: "Red Bank is the Austin, Texas, of New Jersey," he told me (which is to say that it's hip, quirky, and worth living in).
For his part, Nathan is a bit of a country mouse. Raised in rural Virginia, he's always preferred quiet and calm to big and bustling. Though I was raised in the suburbs, I’ve always considered myself more of a city girl; after three years in Washington, D.C., after college, moving to a quaint New England town was more than a little bit of culture shock. I’ve always longed for a New York City life, and for a brief while, as we waited for Nathan’s new Coast Guard orders to come down from on high, I hoped we might be headed that way. Imagine my surprise then, when I learned we’d be moving not into the city that never sleeps but into a smaller city more than an hour away. Suffice it to say, the initial disappointment was debilitating. It wasn’t that I had anything against New Jersey, but moving there wasn’t even on our radar... until we learned we were moving there.
Now, having had a few months to research Red Bank and the surrounding areas, my spirits are considerably raised. Everyone I’ve spoken with who’s been to Red Bank has only glowing recommendations to relay. My musician friends have raved about the Count Basie Theatre; my foodie friends have assured me there’s plenty of tasty cuisine to be had; my outdoorsy friends insist that the nearby beaches are tops. With the help of a knowledgable broker (many thanks to JoAnn at Gloria Nillson Realtors), Nathan and I even managed to secure an apartment near downtown Red Bank without ever having actually visited New Jersey.
Still, we're a little worried. Not only have we never seen the space where we'll be living, we've never set foot into our new town! I've been doing my research, but research only goes so far; I suspect we won't be able to get a feel for Red Bank until we actually cross the city limits and settle in. Together, Nathan and I are looking forward to learning what Red Bank has to offer and to taking advantage of its proximity both to the coast and to the city, but we’re not sure where to start.
That’s where you come in.
I’d love to hear from you, Red Bank-Shrewsbury Patch readers: What’s your favorite thing about the area? What should we be sure to try? What restaurant could you never live without, which hang-out do you adore? If you were an adventure-seeking twenty-something (and maybe you are!), what would be on your Red Bank must-do list?
Our life in New Jersey begins in early July, and we’re already keeping track of everything we want to do once we get into town. Won’t you help us find the good stuff?
Emily Jamie Hertler
8:01 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Oh, you will love it! I left Boston kicking and screaming when my husband got a job here in NJ 6 years ago. Now I see it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I love this area with a passion! We've been in Red Bank for 4 years now, and I love the feel of this place. Just walking around here makes me happy. In the summer, there is free live music outdoors in at least one of the area towns. Jazz on Thursdays in Red Bank, but my favorite is the Wednesday night concerts at Sandy Hook. I also love all the restaurants on the river side in Sea Bright. Prettiest views, instant feeling of being on vacation. I guess I'm not giving you a lot of Red Bank-specific info, but it's summer and I guess my mind is wandering towards the coast. In town, No Joe's Cafe has good food and coffee and people; Jamian's is a good casual restaurant/bar/night spot; Lucky Break Billiards is a classy BYO pool hall with shuffleboard and darts. For exercise, DO NOT MISS LB Kass The Studio, which is in Shrewsbury. Most fun I've ever had exercising. Zumba-ish, but better. The Monmouth County Parks system has some good programs to get you oriented to the different natural offerings in the area. Warning, I was an adventure-seeking 20-something when I moved here, and now I'm 30-something with 2 kids. Happier than I've ever been.
Kate Bigam
12:59 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Emily! We've been checking out menus & locations & all kinds of things in advance of our move. Jamian's sounds great, & I'll DEFINITELY be trying out LB Kass's exercise options.
Shannon K. Winning
8:12 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Welcome to the neighborhood Kate. Looking forward to reading your dispatches of town favorites through new eyes.
Kate Bigam
12:59 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Shannon! Looking forward to writing about it. :)
Ryan
8:27 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Welcome to the neighborhood Kate. While I only wish we had the bars/restaurants along the water that Portsmouth does, RB is still a great town.
Kate Bigam
12:59 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Ryan! Portsmouth is pretty great, I'll agree, but it sounds like Red Bank has a lot to offer. I have no doubt I'll find some things in town to give Portsmouth a run for its money!
felice burns
6:10 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
red bank and the nearby towns certainly do have bars and restaurants along the water....
felice burns
6:11 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
http://www.restaurant.com/?pgn=home
felice burns
6:22 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
molly pitcher, oyster point, wind and sea, barnacle bills, off the hook, there are a lot of them in highlands, and in long branch, and a few in rumson and sea bright. I think there's one in marine park ...boon docks fishery and grill? salt creek grill... and macloon's is right near by...
Ryan
9:25 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Felice- I was speaking to RB. Other than Boondocks(which has no liquor license) there are no restaurants on the water like in Portsmouth. I LOVE Red Bank, but wish there were more places to sit and have a cocktail and something to eat one the river that I can walk to.
felice burns
1:06 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
themollypitcher.com
theoysterpointhotel.com
and if you want to join there's http://www.redbankelks.org/
all with beautiful waterfront views and dining and alcohol served
Chris Equality Paseka
9:32 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Kate, you will love it. I spent 11 years in NYC. Never thought I would feel comfortable in a "small town". There is so much packed into the city streets. I have been here almost 2 years now and I still find some hidden gems. My partner and I opnened a shop here and live in town as well. This town, and the areas surrounding, has everything you can image. Enjoy your transition.
Kate Bigam
1:00 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Chris! I'm glad to hear that a fellow city-dweller has found lots to love in Red Bank. Just checked out your bakery - sounds awesome! I'll introduce myself when I stop in for a cupcake. :)
Chris Equality Paseka
8:48 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Please do!
Elaine Young
12:46 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Kate, you'll love Red Bank. I grew up there and lived there for more than 30 years. While a lot has chnaged since 1970, it's a great place to walk around, pop into a store, get an ice cream cone or frozen yogurt and then goi down to Marine Park and watch the boats go by on the Navesink river. i have often said I wish I still lived there. Enjoy and good luck.
Kate Bigam
1:02 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Elaine! We'll actually be living right on the Navesink, & with a Coastie boyfriend, I suspect we'll spend plenty of time hanging out on the docks, grilling out, & just enjoying life on the waterfront.
felice burns
12:34 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
The Red Bank Food& Wine Walk is Fabulous! So is the Farmer's Market. Red Bank runs all kinds of fabulous events all year long! So do the neighboring towns. Our county parks are fabulous and run all kids of events and classes too.
Kate Bigam
1:01 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Just Googled the Food & Wine Walk. Sounds amazing! We'll definitely be checking that out next month. Thanks for the tip!
felice burns
12:37 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Red Bank is close to Gateway National Park aka Sandy Hook too. Definitely a must see. The nesting pair of Bald Eagles at the Manasquan Resistor are definitely on the must see list too!
felice burns
2:33 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
ther is a rather famous nesting pair of bald eagles at the manasquan resivoir you will want to see. we have great farm stands and farmer's markets.
felice burns
2:34 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
check out the red bank rivercenter for local activities http://www.redbank.com/events/rivercenter also http://onlyoneredbank.com/
felice burns
2:36 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
http://www.opentable.com/via-45
felice burns
2:40 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
also look up barnacle bills, pazzo, dish, monticello http://monticelloatredbank.com/, and www.basilt.com/
felice burns
2:41 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
www.barnaclebillsrumson.com/
felice burns
2:43 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
www.trtc.org/ and www.countbasietheatre.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ninaswafflesandsweets
https://www.facebook.com/Sugarush.a.sweet.experience
felice burns
2:46 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/TheCinnamonSnail
felice burns
2:59 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
http://www.groupon.com/central-jersey/all
felice burns
6:25 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
molly pitcher, oyster point, wind and sea, barnacle bills, off the hook, there are a lot of them in highlands, and in long branch, and a few in rumson and sea bright. I think there's one in marine park ...boon docks fishery and grill? salt creek grill... and macloon's is right near by... seagullsnest.info - off the hook,
felice burns
1:08 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Red Bank is a 2.2 square miles- folks travel to nearby towns and not so nearby towns regularly. it is conveniently located to most major highways, and has both buses and trains for public transportation. ..and of course taxis if you like them.
Mike Kraais
7:43 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I have lived in Shrewsbury for 21 years and before that in Highlands, which is about 8 miles away, for 36 years. Shrewsbury is 1 mile from downtown Red Bank. Here are some of the things we enjoy......Free concerts at the park, Count Basie Theatre, Two Rivers Theatre, half price dinner at Teak on Mondays, eating outside at the Dublin House, coffee at Zebu, Sandy Hook beaches and trails, fresh produce at Sickles Market in Little Silver, Trader Joe's, Friday nights at the cheese cave on monmouth street, Hartshorne Woods trails, Huber Woods trails, Tri Amici in Long Branch, Clam Hut, Inlet Cafe, Off the Hook for seafood in Highlands with a water view, Henry Hudson trail, train to NYC from Red Bank or Ferry to NYC from Highlands, main street in Ocean Grove and the Asbury Park boardwalk, The Pier in Long Branch and walking the boardwalk, Boondocks seafood at Marine Park, Juanito's Mexican restaurant, breakfast at the In Between in Red Bank, Broadway Diner open 24 hours, Eatontown Mall 6 miles from Red Bank, movie theatre on White St in RB, Riverfest in RB, Clam Fest in Highlands, Fair Haven Firemen's Fair, Street Fair in RB, San Remo Italian Rest. in Shrewsbury,