What to Know About Living in Atlantic City

Atlantic City: where the nightlife sparkles brighter than an Elvis jacket and the Boardwalk is more iconic than your favorite emoji. Living here is a continuous game of balancing tourists chasing casino thrills with the zen of beachside relaxation. Mastering the daily dance is the secret to unlocking all that Atlantic City owns. If you’re eyeing a move to this lively vacation town, learn what to expect from living in Atlantic City.

Resort Town From Day One

The “Showplace of the Nation…” the “Las Vegas of the Eastern Shore…” Atlantic City has plenty of nicknames and no shortage of character!

Atlantic City has long been one of the crown jewels of the East Coast. Part of that is its location. It’s just 62 miles from Philadelphia and a little over two hours from New York City. Early developers saw the island’s potential as a summertime resort destination. The beautiful shoreline…sweeping sea breezes…and all so close to the smog-choked cities. Northeastern city dwellers have long sought escape from the sweltering concrete jungles.

All it needed was an easy way to get there and infrastructure. Enter the Camden-Atlantic rail line, built in the 1850s by some enterprising financers. It quickly ushered in a construction boom. Those same entrepreneurs built lavish resorts, turning Atlantic City into a playground from the late 1800s to the 1940s. 

Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk dates back to 1870 and encapsulates decades of cultural evolution. Its growing entertainment scene attracted even more city families chasing affordable summertime R&R. Broadway shows used the city as a testing ground before heading to New York City. At the same time, the biggest jazz stars jammed away at Club Harlem. Families delight in the carnival-like pier.

However, the prominent resort town fell on hard times in the 1960s as air travel made it easier to reach the warm, tropical shores beyond. Atlantic City deeply depended on tourism traffic, which was now heading elsewhere.

Atlantic City took a bet on literal gambling, making it legal here in the state and nowhere else. The first casino opened in 1978. 

The big gamble paid off, and its rapid growth helped vitalize Atlantic City’s economy. Everything city dwellers could want for vacation so close to home. Today, they come for the betting, but also whole experience. Where else can you swim in the ocean, sip margaritas to live music, and wander endless stores?

And driving Atlantic City’s entertainment engine are 32,000 locals who live where others vacation. They have access to all of Atlantic City’s perks whenever they want.

Atlantic City Climate

A temperate climate blesses locals with mild winters and warm summers, perfect for year-round enjoyment.

The city’s geography plays a pivotal role in its appeal. Locals bask in the seaside atmosphere every day. Of course, the high season is the summer. With an average 68% humidity and temps in the high 80Fs, a day at the shore is a perfect respite from the sticky heat. Its sea breezes have a cooling effect.

Those same breezes bring in moisture during the winter. The warm Atlantic waters often mix in rain, making for cold, drizzly days in the winter months. If you’re going to live in Atlantic City, expect wet, cold conditions with about nine inches of snow each year. February sees the most, with an average 3.2 inches.

Atlantic City Housing and Cost of Living

Contrary to popular belief, living in Atlantic City doesn’t break the bank. The overall living costs fall 7% under the national average and 26% under the New Jersey average!

Fueling that low cost of living is an incredibly affordable housing market for the Eastern Shore. Prices are often lower than the national average. In February 2024, the median list price for an Atlantic City home was $237,000. 

Sure, the market has million-dollar oceanfront lots and penthouse condos. But it also has historic Four-Square and Cape-Cod style single-family homes blocks from the waterfront. Condos, townhomes, and multi-family properties do dominate the market. As of March 2024, over half of the listings fall into this category. 

See what’s available today in Atlantic City homes.

Getting Around Atlantic City

Accessible public transport, pedestrian-friendly streets, and ample parking make getting around a breeze.

The easiest way most people get around is by walking and cycling, especially the closer they live to the Boardwalk. Most Atlantic City attractions are concentrated here, so living nearby makes it easier to use those wide sidewalks to get where you want to go. And if you need a break, you’ll see people being pushed in rolling chairs. It’s a Victorian-era throwback, but a push is not free.

Down Pacific Avenue, the Atlantic Jitney is an inexpensive minibus that stops at all the major attractions.

Getting farther afield may require a car, especially if you’re moving to Atlantic City as a full-time resident. It’s less comfortable to walk around in the winter months, after all, and chances are you’ll be traveling off-island at times.

For travel to Philadelphia, Trenton, or New York City, NJ Transit runs a rail line to Atlantic City. It’s about an hour one way to Philadelphia. The Atlantic City Express Train Service runs from New York City with a stop in Newark. 

Employment Opportunities

Multiple casinos, hotels, resorts, restaurants…. It’s abundantly clear that Atlantic City depends on tourism. The hospitality sector is the region’s number one employing industry. It also makes the job market more sensitive to economic changes. Travel and vacation plans are one area people pull back first when affordability goes down, after all.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics figures reflect the hospitality-driven economy as of December 2023. Second to hospitality work are more stable options in education and health care, the next leading industries. Trade and transportation work come third.

Atlantic City Education

Families in New Jersey benefit from the nation’s top school system, says US News and World Report. In the Atlantic City School District, the 11 public K-12 schools serve 6,500 students and spend about $25,600 per student. School choice placement is available for grades 9-12 in an NJROTC and fine arts program.

Higher education and career training is available on the mainland through Atlantic Cape Community College.

Healthcare Services

Thanks to AtlantiCare, residents have healthcare services from primary care to specialized treatments. AtlantiCare is the primary provider of local emergency medical services, with a Level II Trauma Center, Psychiatric Crisis Center, and stroke center. The main hospital has inpatient care, imaging, and other specialties under its umbrella. Outlying medical offices under this branch provide primary care and urgent care.

Recreation and Entertainment

Where do you even begin? Part of the appeal of moving to Atlantic City is that life is always exciting. Here’s a breakdown of the entertainment choices in Atlantic City.

The Beaches

Let’s start with what attracted development in the first place: those sandy beaches. And even better? Unlike many other New Jersey shore towns, you don’t need a badge or pass to soak in the sunshine and surf. Some locations have lifeguards on duty during daytime hours in the peak tourist season. Local favorite beaches are Chicken Bone, Brigantine, Longport Dog Beach, and Atlantic City Beach.

The Boardwalk

The historic Boardwalk is part of the Atlantic City experience. Part of the appeal is the excellent restaurants and dining that await steps from your beach day. There are classic saltwater taffy stores and ice cream cafes begging for a taste. In between, shops and entertainment attractions round out a seaside day. The pier is packed with carnival rides and stunning views from the Ferris wheel.

The Casinos

You could spend all your spare time in Atlantic City checking out the nine big and smaller casinos. Bet on poker, craps, and racing across thousands of square feet. Even if you don’t gamble, these are entertainment complexes worth exploring. The casino resorts pair gaming with luxury spas, world-class entertainment, fine dining, and designer shopping. 

Festivals and Events

The Atlantic City Airshow and the Miss America Pageant are just two of the exciting events in Atlantic City. Big names in music come to perform at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Harrah’s Resort, and the Hard Rock Cafe. Summertime brings the music out to the beaches at Gardener’s Basin and the Boardwalk. The annual triathlon is a favorite, as is the delicious culinary scene at the annual Restaurant Week and the Atlantic City Beerfest. 

Moving to Atlantic City

Few places have quite the razzle-dazzle as Atlantic City. It’s a lifestyle of extravagance with a side of urban comforts, as our article explains. You’ll have an exciting ride as a part-time summer resident or a year-rounder. Either way, enjoy your Atlantic City adventure!