Last time in the Wildwoods?

[Al Alven]

Just out of curiosity, when was the last time you were in Wildwood (assuming you are not a resident, of course)?

As I mentioned a few times, I tend to visit the island at least once a month during the offseason. Generally, I take NJ Transit down from Philly and spend the day just walking around and taking pictures on the island.

I’m just trying to get an idea of how often people visit the Wildwoods in the wintertime.

[AnthonyV]

Last weekend.

[Al Alven]

Anthony, can you imagine the surprise most people will be in for when they enter the Wildwoods this year? I’m talking about the folks who haven’t been down since last summer.

As much as things had changed last year, it cannot begin to compare to the sweeping changes that occurred during this offseason.

It’s a shame… but it’s going to be a real shocker and an absolute downer for many.

Especially in the Crest, sadly.

[crazyaboutwildwood]

Nov 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Got pictures of the carousel sign on the side of the street! Thats when the sign guys told me where the sign was going.

[Al Alven]

crazy, was the sign still up at the original Carousel location at that time, or was it sitting out in front of the Hialeah by then?

[FlyinGN]

last time was last August for me.. I guess Im in for a big surprise!

[crazyaboutwildwood]

Al said:

crazy, was the sign still up at the original Carousel location at that time, or was it sitting out in front of the Hialeah by then?

It was at the origanal carousel. It was sitting across the street when we stopped to take pictures. That is when the guys from the sign co. told us it was going to the hialeah in the crest.

[AnthonyV]

Al,

I now always make sure to drive a little further and enter the Wildwoods coming into and on the island from the exit right before the Cape May bridge at the end (or beginning) of the Parkway.

That's the road that the Blue Claw Restaurant is on which also leads to the toll bridge, then goes on past Two Mile Landing - which is Ocean Drive which turns into Pacific Ave probably somewhere around the miniature golf course and Wawa.

Since our summer homes are all a few blocks away in and around the area of Newark & St. Louis Aves, going that way makes the most sense - though I usually always liked to see the rest of the island before hand on my way down. That small luxury has been diminished by the wrecking ball over the last 2-3 years for me it seems.

Now I try to go out of my way to avoid seeing the results of each previous years worth of damage that I'd otherwise not be able to avoid coming in from Rio Grande. It seems much more depressing when the island is stilll, quiet, and empty during the winter IMO and the loss of each building is all that more vivid and sadly noticeable.

I'll be going down again at the end of April and then perhaps I'll be brave enough to take Rio Grande in...Then again, maybe I won't.

[ContessaAnisha]

Probably go down tomorrow..the kid wants to spend the night at her friend's house in the Crest...and we most always go in through the Cape May end. Faster on busy days...and is a nise ride onsolw ones.

[FlyinGN]

Thats a very nice area where your house is Anthony.. We love that area and would love to buy around there..

Frank

AnthonyV said:

Al,

I now always make sure to drive a little further and enter the Wildwoods coming into and on the island from the exit right before the Cape May bridge at the end (or beginning) of the Parkway.

That's the road that the Blue Claw Restaurant is on which also leads to the toll bridge, then goes on past Two Mile Landing - which is Ocean Drive which turns into Pacific Ave probably somewhere around the miniature golf course and Wawa.

Since our summer homes are all a few blocks away in and around the area of Newark & St. Louis Aves, going that way makes the most sense - though I usually always liked to see the rest of the island before hand on my way down. That small luxury has been diminished by the wrecking ball over the last 2-3 years for me it seems.

Now I try to go out of my way to avoid seeing the results of each previous years worth of damage that I'd otherwise not be able to avoid coming in from Rio Grande. It seems much more depressing when the island is stilll, quiet, and empty during the winter IMO and the loss of each building is all that more vivid and sadly noticeable.

I'll be going down again at the end of April and then perhaps I'll be brave enough to take Rio Grande in...Then again, maybe I won't.

[AnthonyV]

Frank,

Our previous home was located over near Sunset Lake on Park Blvd until my father renovated two homes closer towards the beach sometime in the early '70s. Back then property was as cheap as they are expensive today. If you had the money you had your pick basically of anything that was listed.

Back in the late '60s and early '70s many legitimate and hard-working Italian-American families from South Philly and some from the NY/NJ Metro area ventured down to the Crest but so did reputed organized crime associates who came in and gobbled up a lot of the costlier homes and select property in the Crest area. Alot of people down here today would try to tell you otherwise but it's long been a well known fact that this area appealed to certain type of people. I have no doubt that many of these "families" still reside down here...In fact I'd be willing to bet my life on it!

Due to the fact that my father had the keen insight to buy up as much property as he could afford in the 1960s (his friends basically laughed and ridiculed him for at the time) he was able to hold onto most of those properties over the years only to sell off some of the beachfront land for ridiculous amounts of money a few years back.

In my opinion the homes here in the Crest are probably more overvalued these days than what they are actually worth. Perhaps it's because the new condos are so cheaply built that smart investors see that the homes are a far better investment in the long run?

Not all but many homes (ours included) seem to be overpriced in my opinion. But in real estate timing and location seems to be the most important thing I guess so every dollar you spend on real estate can either go up or down in value I'm sure.

Hopefully one day you might move down here...I'd probably enjoy having you (as well as others here) as a neighbor if even for just the summer months.

[FlyinGN]

so true Anthony. My wife 's family was from South Philly so I know exactly what you mean.. I ws looking at reality sites fro down there today and the single older homes bring wayy more $ the new condos. like you said..

Frank

[AnthonyV]

Frank,

Not sure how long this boom will last down there but everything that goes up one day must come down. It's been that way everywhere along the Jersey Shore for decades and usually always comes and goes in cycles.

As a potential or interested buyer, if you wait I am sure that things might just level out a bit in your favor. But if you do come across something that seems like a "bargain" (if there is such a thing anymore) sometime soon I wouldn't let it pass me by without at least taking a look as soon as you can.

As for as SOME of these condos go, I guess I woldn't mind if the builders and developers actually put some quality in the work they try to sell off. I've checked out more than a few just out of curiosity (including that new Beldon development I believe is called Coastal Colors) and other than the ozone type prices very little has impressed me in how these places are actually built to be honest.

I've seen 1962 cold war era bomb shelters built better than a lot of these condos and town houses.

[wildre]

So right you are Anthony.
Soprano's South, ;D

re

[AnthonyV]

Hey don't get me wrong...Most of these "people" have been and are truly fine neighbors over the years.

My father and his brother have done a lot of work for them around this part of the island over the years and they never once had any problem with anything or any one of them - including getting paid. Which is more than I can say about some of the local Cape May government contracts my family legally secured with some municipalities who never made good on back in the 1980s especially!

I'm not advocating what these people do for a living but I'd be more inclined to live next door to these type of "families" (which I'm sure I have on more than a few occassons in the past) than local politicians for some odd reason I can't explain.