Is it really the Coast? What if your beach house is in, say, Cape May Court House? Don’t try to convince people otherwise, like Jennifer McGraw, who is perfectly happy in “Stone Harbor Lakes,” a new development off Route 9. I interviewed her for my story on mainland towns that are attracting second-home buyers.

Look, everything is relative. People like McGraw are priced out of Stone Harbor and other barrier islands, so they flock to the mainland, where an $800,000 twin near the golf course looks affordable, or to Somers Point, where $400,000 can buy you a ranch house where you can park your boat near the bridge to Ocean City. Never mind the lack of ocean breezes; the beach is just an e-bike ride away.

But then, as Middle Township Mayor Christopher Leusner told me, the pushout of summer residents off the barrier islands leaves regular year-round residents, like police officers, teachers and health care workers, with limited housing options. Year-round rentals become vacation Airbnbs, further shrinking the market for locals.

In other words, the changes that have put prices out of reach for most people, including families with school-age children who live there year-round, are now coming to the coast (as locals call the mainland). How will these towns change?

Are you thinking? a house on the mainland or a beach house? Would you be happy to buy any house within 10 miles of a beach? Where are people working in these towns expected to live, both on and off the island?

Let me know your thoughts by replying to this email and I’ll add your most interesting answers.

Send me your tips at [email protected].

Unfortunately it’s raining, but the weather is improving for the weekend. Ocean temperatures .

— Amy S. Rosenberg (You can find me at: @amysrosenberg. Follow me on Instagram @amysrosenberg. Email me here.)

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Shore chat

This is the Jersey Shore The nonprofit has taught thousands of people with autism to surf.

One man’s mission Cleaning up Cape May County’s back bays and wetlands.

Read: This bookstore in Wildwood is a haven for readers.

Sand House Kitchen After disagreements with his Ocean City neighbors, he upgraded his building and hopes to reopen next summer.

Shark Week:Rare giant sharks have been seen five miles offshore, with one swimming close to shore at Cape May Point.

Linda Scott Inspired by this story published in Cape May Magazine, it takes an in-depth look at Sunset Beach and the Wayward Sign.

Higher and higher: The government has introduced new rules that will increase the altitude on the coast.

May he rest in peace: A woman killed in Atlantic City had the goal of spreading positive thinking.

What to eat/What to do

Cheap mealsTommy Rowan has a guide to the cheapest pizza Down the Shore.

Must-watch The South Jersey Life Saving championships will now be in Brigantine on Monday. Or watch the live stream here.

Morris Anderson, founder Participants in the Miss Black America Beauty Pageant will gather to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit called “Miss Black America” ​​at the Southern New Jersey African American Heritage Museum in Atlantic City.

Suggestion: The tomato juice martini and olive oil vodka, which have been very popular lately at Angeloni’s Club Madrid.

Dog days Numbered in AC’s Good Dog Bar, unfortunately this bar will be closing after the weekend.

Beach dogs: Jenn Ladd gives the lowdown on where to get the best hot dogs from Philly to the Shore.

Hiking: The new ADA-compliant course was inspired by a child’s love of the South Cape May Meadows Preserve.

Coastal snapshot

Ask the Shore

This is from the Facebook group All Things LBI. How much do you tip lifeguards?

As many in this thread have noted, tipping lifeguards is really not a nice thing to do, but you can if you want!

Or, much more common and always appreciated, send food! In the old days, lifeguards would use nearby basement or outdoor showers, and I’m sure some would appreciate the invitation to park in your driveway.

So why not give a tip/gift like you would to a teacher (which many are)? One poster wrote: It’s funny, but some people tip the bagel vendor but not the person who could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Last words from a lifeguard mother: As a mom of a guard I have to say this is so sweet! These kids have so much responsibility and they could make more at McDonalds! I don’t think it’s a necessity but it’s so, so thoughtful!!!!”

What do you think about golf carts?

There has been a lot of backlash against golf carts in coastal towns. Here’s an example:

Tom Ciaverelli: I own a home in OCNJ and there are more golf carts than in previous years and will most likely increase in the future. This is good as a vehicle to get to and from the beach or anywhere. However, I believe drivers should be licensed drivers and golf carts should be registered as vehicles in the state.

Daryl Kotch: It seems to me that if golf carts are replacing people walking or 2 blocks from home to the beach, there should be a separate parking area at the beach entrance or on the street ONLY for golf carts. It is basically a requirement in Florida retirement communities, even if they have dedicated small garages. They are not new, just new to the Jersey shore.

Andrew Duffy: It’s so much fun and makes your holiday experience so much richer!

Mary Entwistle: I have nothing against golf carts, but it amuses me that things that used to be perfectly fine are now considered so problematic. … Golf carts are just one of the hundreds of ways we sacrifice exercise and family for comfort.

James Potts: This is part of a larger cultural shift to resist any perceived inconvenience or minor inconvenience. I travel to Avalon, NJ frequently, so I’ve seen this firsthand. I’m amazed at how many people use both cars and golf carts on the island. When I get there, I park my car in the driveway and mostly walk or bike until I have to get back to Philly on Sunday. I love that aspect of it, just as I love the walkability of Center City Philly. Avalon, like most coastal towns, really isn’t that big. Whether it’s a giant Suburban or a tiny golf cart, there’s no good excuse to drive and clog up the streets.

Have more thoughts? Send them to me here.

His thoughts on Caesar salads at Tony’s Baltimore Grill

The folks at TBG took issue with my little story I told last week about my friend trying to order a Caesar salad at Tony’s against my advice, waiting forever, and finally being told “they’ll be chopping the lettuce in the back.” I knew that this was a euphemism, just like our Caesar salad, so yeah, sure.

Tony’s responded on Instagram saying that the Caesar is actually “wildly popular” (since when?) and “usually available.” So if you at least try it, you’re in luck. I stick to good antipasto (meatless).

As for my order of plain cheese pie, I’ve heard from those who swear by Tony’s more elaborate pies. Jack Walker recommends the clam casino pie and Nino’s Favorite (sausage and cherry peppers). Look, if I’m going to have sausage, I’ll have that. I can’t find anything I like as much as the plain pie at Tony’s.

There is one thing everyone agrees on: the advantages of Peroni in draft (usually ready-made).

This just arrived: @the.escape.plans sent photo proof of the TBG Caesar salad.

Your coastal memory

Debbie Dooling writes: My grandmother took my young mother and her siblings to Harvey Cedars in LBI in the 1920s to escape the Whooping Cough Epidemic in Philadelphia. Eventually, she and my step-grandfather bought property in Harvey Cedars and then Loveladies. She even wrote a book about LBI and my Uncle Dick, a bomber pilot in World War II. Dick Smith, Bomber Pilot.

During World War II, my father, a city boy from Brooklyn, was stationed at LBI, where he met my mother. After the war, they built a cabin on LBI at the south end of the island. That little cabin still exists, with an addition made in 1985.

Our ties to LBI go back over 100 years!

Send us your Shore memories! In 200 words, tell us how the Shore touched something deep for you and we’ll feature them in this space throughout the summer.

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