Last Stop: Couple’s Apartment Search Leads to Transit-Friendly South Amboy Waterfront

When Erick Pagani and Brigetta Reed went apartment hunting this summer, they knew they wanted to be in Middlesex County, but they also wanted to live in a lively, well-connected neighborhood where there is plenty to do.

It took eight different property tours, but the last one had exactly what they were looking for. The Pearl at Station Bay felt different than the other luxury properties. It was newer and more upscale. They could walk to the ferry, the train station, bay beaches, parks, and the many shops and restaurants on Broadway, South Amboy’s main street. They leased a two-bedroom apartment and moved in on the last day of September.

“Location was a big attraction for us,” Ms. Reed said. “The other places had nowhere to go. We’re excited that South Amboy has this whole downtown area where we can walk and go out to dinner.”

“I work in the city, so having the convenience of the ferry and the train station both right there is huge,” Mr. Pagani added. “I hop on a train and I am at work within an hour. So just that transportation convenience and living in an up-and-coming town like South Amboy is something we’re really happy about.”

Modern Interiors with Waterfront Views

Mr. Pagani and Ms. Reed leased a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of The Pearl at Station Bay. Their residence includes a large laundry room and two large bedrooms with spacious closets. The second bedroom belongs to Mr. Pagani’s daughter Avi, 8, who stays with the couple every weekend.

The first thing that stands out when walking into their apartment is the bright, modern interior spaces and expansive waterfront views.

“It is amazing. It feels like we are at a five-star hotel every time we walk in,” Ms. Reed said. “Everyone who visited us so far has said that. We particularly love all of the natural light. That’s what really sold us on the place. Our whole living room wall is basically a window.”

Like all residences at The Pearl at Station Bay, their apartment includes 9- to 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank flooring, solar window shades, and modular closet systems. The kitchen is stylish and functional, with quartz countertops, modern gray suede cabinetry, full-height tile backsplashes, undercabinet lighting, stainless steel appliances, and a gas range. The bathrooms channel a spa-like sensibility, with mosaic tile flooring, full-height linear tile wet walls, quartz countertops, and palomino-stained shaker vanities.

Amenities for the Modern Lifestyle

Prior to touring The Pearl at Station Bay, Mr. Pagani and Ms. Reed visited a few communities where the amenities were either outdated or an afterthought. They would be paying for amenities they didn’t really want to use.

The Pearl at Station Bay flipped that dynamic on its head. Mr. Pagani found three amenities right away that he knew he would use multiple times per week: the gym, the outdoor grills and the golf simulator.

“Just the gym alone was a no-brainer to me, because I’m really into fitness and the equipment here is very good,” Mr. Pagani said. “I would compare it to an LA Fitness. At other apartment communities what they offered felt more like a home gym, but this is an actual real gym. It blows the competition away.”

Mr. Pagani used the outdoor grills almost every day for the first few weeks after moving in. With five grills available, there was never any waiting. As a passionate golfer, he uses the multi-sport simulator to have some fun and work on his swing. The couple looks forward to using the swimming pool when the weather starts to warm up again.

Other amenities available to them include multiple social lounges, a yoga/movement studio, game lounge, co-working lounge with private offices, a smart café with coffee and a snack bar, a private event suite with a bar, lounge and dining room, and outdoor dining spaces, ping pong, fire pits, and lush lawn and garden areas. There’s also covered parking, 24/7 onsite maintenance, and secure package lockers. A pet spa and dog run round out the experience for four-legged residents.

South Amboy: Charming Coastal City Near NYC

Ms. Reed, who is relocating from Georgia, has actually never been to New York City before. She is looking forward to exploring the city and loves that South Amboy is a great home base for day trips. Mr. Pagani, a bank branch manager, takes the train to his office in Manhattan every day.

The couple loves everything else South Amboy offers, from its walkable core of restaurants, shops, and cafes, to its open space, beaches, seasonal free concerts and community events. There are world class attractions at their fingertips in New York City and plenty to do closer to home.

“On just a three-minute walk down the road you pass a beach and a nice park, not to mention the whole downtown area,” Ms. Reed said. “Having all of this and the train station right outside of our apartment is huge.”

Located at 2000 Schindler Drive, The Pearl at Station Bay is a community of 205 premium rental residences complemented by 26,000 square feet of elevated amenities. Studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments are available to rent, with monthly rental rates starting from the $2,200s and limited-time grand opening specials still available. Private tours can be scheduled by visiting www.ThePearlStationBay.com or calling 877-455-8513.

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