the rix mix

They have a long way to go, but residents of the Paradise Mobile Home Park in Highlands NJ have won the right to challenge the new owner in court over any proposed redevelopment plans. As with most trailer parks, the homes are not mobile, & although they own them, they pay rent on the land underneath. They're on Sandy Hook Bay with wonderful waterfront views.

The Jersey bayshore from South Amboy to Highlands was the bargain waterfront property well into the 1990's. With improvements to NJ Transit shore rail line, new ferryboat service to Manhattan, & the demands of changing demographics, a bunch of rundown little towns began gentrifying. I watched the process in Keyport, a favorite hangout of mine for a few years, as the downtown revitalized, apartments renovated, & old houses near the bay bought & fixed. That didn't bother me too much because Keyport was obviously a tarnished gem. It hurt when the quaint McCrory's closed, which happens when people like me walk around saying, "Wow, it looks like an old-fashioned 5 & 10," without buying anything.

But prices also skyrocketed for very modest homes in Aberdeen by Cliffwood Beach, where homeowners of modest means have small boats parked in their driveways & nautical decor in their front yards. Expensive condo developments & conversions sprung up everywhere. So I've been cheering for the stubborn residents of Paradise Park, & wondering about their legal fees. I know a guy who lived there until he moved down to a section of Maryland that he describes as being like parts of the Jersey shore must have looked 40 years ago.

Labels: in the news, jersey shore