def #158

def #158 08/11/10

NATIONAL MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS OCEAN COUNTY AS PLACE TO RETIRE

TOMS RIVER - The allure of the sea, a host of things to keep the retiree and the grandchildren active, and proximity to metropolitan areas, are all reasons to retire to Ocean County according to the national magazine "Where to Retire."

"I am so pleased to see this kind of recognition of the many wonderful attributes Ocean County has to offer in a national magazine," said Freeholder Director James F. Lacey. "The article just confirms what we have said in Ocean County all along - it really is a great place to retire."

More than just communities for older adults, the magazine highlighted Ocean County's park system, the county run golf courses, its beaches, boardwalks, its library system and a host of activities and places to go that make Ocean County an ideal spot for retirement.

Lacey noted the article included a photo of the Barnegat Branch Trail which is currently under construction but when completed will be a 15.6 mile linear park running through natural lands in Ocean County from Barnegat Township to Toms River.

"The trail, along with all our parks, our libraries, these are the types of things people look for when they retire," Lacey said. "All these great programs and services along with affordability continue to make Ocean County the place where people want to come, raise a family and retire."

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as chairman of Senior Services, noted the magazine points out what the 160,000 seniors living in Ocean County already know - this county is a great place to live.

"There is never a lack of something to do in Ocean County," Vicari said. "From walking the boardwalks, to taking the grandchildren to a farm in Plumsted, to historic sites like the Barnegat Lighthouse to taking courses at our community college and vo-tech schools, we offer one of the most diverse environments for retirement a person could ask for."

The magazine, which is available at bookstores six times a year, prominently features Ocean County and the many attributes it offers to retirees in its September/October issue. The issue will be available in bookstores on Aug. 17.

The five-page article highlights Ocean County's parks, recreational programs, golf courses, libraries, Island Beach State Park, several retirement communities and its proximity to metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia. It specifically notes the Barnegat Branch Trail as a positive feature in Ocean County.

"Ocean County has 27 parks, two county run golf courses and three nature centers making our park system second to none," said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to Parks and Recreation. "We welcome our retirees to all our facilities and encourage them to sign up for our programs. I couldn't be more proud of this park system and I am elated it is one of the reasons this national magazine highlights in the article as a reason to retire to Ocean County."

(add one) Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety, added that the "Where to Retire" article captures the appeal of Ocean County to retirees.

"Ocean County is a desirable place to retire," Kelly said. "The reasons are many - programs, services, location, safety. We are well aware of them and this article lets people around the country know Ocean County is just a great place overall."

The magazine has a national distribution with a circulation of over 200,000.

According to its website, "Where to Retire" profiles top retirement states, towns and developments and tells readers how to buy and sell homes, how to weigh tax and cost of living considerations and covers the key financial, cultural and emotional aspects of relocation.

It has been published since 1992 and, according to its website, is the authoritative source of useful information for the 700,000 Americans who move to new towns to retire every year.

"Whether it's our open space, our beaches, the programs and services offered directly by Ocean County like our libraries and parks, this county deserves to be highlighted as a mecca for retirees," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little. "And it's not just the retirees that enjoy this county, it's enjoyed by their families and friends too."