Cliffwood Beach is a great place when you're a kid
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12/27/2009
I grew up in the Aberdeen side of Cliffwood Beach (it's split into two areas that are each part of larger towns). My childhood was spent playing with the other kids, making visits to neighborhood convenience stores, making trips to the beach and sea wall (though NEVER going in the water -- too dirty), playing in the parks, and digging unsuccessfully for gold doubloons at Treasure Lake. Long story short; I had a wonderful childhood.
However as I got older, I began to realize that most of the surrounding neighborhoods, even ones my classmates lived in, were a lot nicer than mine. Those of us from "C Beach" even had our neighborhood frequently insulted by other students who had heard terrible rumors about it. Most of them had actually never set foot in the place. Granted, the kids I grew up with were a lot more "rowdier" shall we say, than the other kids. Actually,today several have been arrested multiple times and another is doing time. My siblings and I are some of the few people out of our childhood group that actually "went places in life".
Still, today I am proud of my old home and look back on it with mostly fond memories. Therefore, I would suggest this place as a good starter area for young families, but don't plan on staying long unless you happen to live on a good block that stays that way. Neighborhoods change, and this one is no exception. Take advantage of them numerous places to explore, and definitly go look for the old swimming pool! I returned to look for this "relic" and was pleased to have actually found it...unlike those gold doubloons I had always looked for.
The quality of life in Cliffwood Beach is definitely what you make of it. Good luck ;).
Brianna | Matawan, NJ