16 Pros and Cons of Living in Atlantic City, NJ

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Atlantic City has a reputation for being a “gambler’s paradise,” due to its world-class casinos and resorts.

The city’s beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and amazing eateries make it an attractive place to call home.

But is it the right home for you?

A look at some of the pros and cons of settling here can help you decide.

Pros of Living in Atlantic City, NJ

First, we’ll start by checking out some of the pros of settling in Atlantic City.

Here are some of the features that make moving to this region worthwhile:

1. Year-Round Entertainment

Atlantic City is not your run-of-the-mill, mundane city – oh, no!

Picture Las Vegas on the Eastern seaboard, and you’ll have a better idea of what it’s like.

The city’s casinos are popular attractions with establishments like Borgata, Caesars, and Hard Rock Casino leading the pack.

Atlantic City features live entertainment from top performers and musicians from across the country.

The area is also home to great wineries and breweries, historical museums, and amazing eateries.

Attractions like the Boardwalk, Absecon Lighthouse, and Steel Pier are popular destinations for visitors and residents alike.

2. The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a bustling entertainment center all on its own.

This iconic attraction runs approximately four miles along the New Jersey coastline.

A stroll on the boardwalk gives you beautiful vistas of the Atlantic Ocean throughout the day.

You can stop at a local bar or restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal or cocktails with friends.

On any given day, you can listen to live music from local musicians and regional bands.

Or visit Steel Pier, Atlantic City’s oldest theme park, and enjoy amazing carnival rides with the kids.

3. Moderate Cost of Living

Compared to other cities in the state, Atlantic City has a moderate cost of living that many can afford.

The average price of a home is about $280,000, which is below both the state and national average.

Apartment rentals are also fairly reasonable, with a two-bedroom unit going for roughly $1,400 monthly.

By shopping around, you should have little trouble finding a suitable home.

Ducktown (Atlantic City’s ‘Little Italy‘) and Marina District are some popular areas for townhouses, apartments and condos.

For single-family homes, neighborhoods like Chelsea and Venice Park provide a strong community setting.

4. Attractive Beaches

Atlantic City beaches are known for their soft sands, gentle waves, and blue-tinted waters.

The city’s beaches are clean and uncrowded, making them a great destination for the whole family.

A day at the beach is the perfect way to de-stress after a long week at the office.

Margate Beach, Atlantic City Beach, and Chicken Bone Beach are just a few of the favorite beaches in the area.

Dog owners can take their pooch down to Longport Dog Beach for an afternoon of fun-filled bonding.

5. Great Weather

Atlantic City is one of those rare northeastern cities that enjoys a moderate climate year-round.

Winters are on the mild side with temperatures ranging from the upper 30s to low 50s.

Snowfalls tend to be light, averaging around 13 inches annually.

Summers are humid and warm, with daytime temperatures in the low 80s and dropping into the 60s at night.

When mild weather extends into October, it’s referred to as “local’s summer.”

The days are warm and nights cool, giving locals a chance to enjoy the nightlife with fewer tourists around.

6. Convenient Location

Atlantic City is easily accessible by car, train, or plane, depending on where you’re coming from!

If you have family or friends living nearby, they can easily visit you by car or via the NJ Transit Rail System.

Long-distance visitors can arrive at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) located 12 miles from the city.

ACY offers nonstop air services with American, Sun Country, and Spirit Airlines.

If you want a break from the city, Philadelphia is only an hour away by car.

NYC is a 2-hour drive, making it a convenient place to go for a weekend getaway.

7. Local Transport

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Atlantic City and all that it has to offer.

Many of the city’s attractions – restaurants, shops, beaches, parks – are within walking distance of each other.

The Atlantic City Jitney minibus also offers 24/7 transport to and from the major casinos and attractions in the area.

If you tire of walking on the boardwalk, you can hire a shaded rolling chair and be pushed along to explore the sites.

For travel outside the city, you can drive your own vehicle or rent a car.

8. Food Lover’s Delight!

Atlantic City is a foodie’s paradise!

It’s where saltwater taffy was born!

But the city offers so much more!

From budget buffets to home cooking from local diners to international cuisine at 5-star restaurants – Atlantic City has it all!

To find the best eateries, simply ask the locals!

Favorites like Gilchrist Restaurant, White House Sub Shop, Tony’s Baltimore Grill, and Formica’s Bakery are sure to be on the list!

You can experience local dining to the fullest during the city’s annual Atlantic City Restaurant Week celebration.

Cons of Living in Atlantic City, NJ

Although the pros are quite enticing, there are also a few cons to living in Atlantic City, NJ.

These include:

1. High Crime Rate

Unfortunately, Atlantic City has its fair share of both violent and property crime.

Theft is a common occurrence, particularly at night, so it’s unwise to walk alone or wander off well-lit paths.

Crime is the major reason Atlantic City placed last on the Forbes Best Places for Business & Careers list for 6 years running.

It’s something to seriously consider if you plan to settle in the area with your family.

2. Limited Employment Opportunities

Atlantic City relies heavily on tourism and the casino and resort industry for its economy.

The lack of business diversity limits employment opportunities for newcomers to the area.

If you’re starting a business or relocating your business to the area, it would be a boost to the local economy.

Otherwise, you may have a hard time establishing or furthering your career.

3. High Poverty Level

Poverty is another sore spot in Atlantic City, NJ.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2022, about 35% of the city’s residents were living in poverty.

Poverty is more prevalent among the Hispanic and African-American population in the city.

At one point in time, Atlantic City was associated with poverty, crime, and decay.

This label gave the impression the city was an unappealing and unsafe place in which to live.

4. Homelessness

A high poverty rate is often accompanied by homelessness.

In 2022, the homeless population in Atlantic City rose to over 500 people.

Many make-shift homes were erected under the Boardwalk and near other tourist attractions.

The lack of affordable housing was a contributing factor to homelessness as well as the lack of services to aid those in need.

5. Poor School Rating

According to school ratings, the public schools in Atlantic City need much improvement.

Out of a superior rating of 100, the elementary schools rated 27.37 while the only high school ranked 16.8.

Proficiency test scores were also low at both the elementary and high school levels.

At the elementary level, only 24% of students were found to be proficient in math and 34% proficient in reading and Language Arts.

At the high school level, 11% of the students were proficient in math and 27% proficient in reading and Language Arts.

Families moving to this area may have to turn to private schools for the education of their children.

6. Flooding Caused by Climate Change

Atlantic City is situated on Absecon Island, a barrier island made mostly of sand.

Due to rising sea waters prompted by climate change, the city is at risk of flooding.

Over the last few years, there have been instances of water pooling in residents’ garages and flooding their cars.

But climate change flooding is only expected to worsen with time.

This is worth considering if you plan to make Atlantic City your permanent home.

7. Substance Abuse

Like many cities across the country, Atlantic City struggles with substance abuse problems.

A NJ Substance Abuse Overview ranked the city as having the highest drug abuse admissions in the state.

Approximately 27% of the city’s residents had a substance abuse problem, with heroin being the main culprit.

Of those who used drugs, it was estimated that 59% were addicted to heroin.

8. Tourists Everywhere!

Atlantic City receives millions of tourists annually, particularly during summer.

The tourism industry is a great boost to the local economy.

At the same time, it can be taxing for Atlantic City residents.

During the tourist season, casinos, beaches, restaurants, theaters, and other localities are always crowded.

The influx of tourists can also raise the cost of living as prices for these amenities tend to rise.

Pros and Cons of Living in Atlantic City, NJ – Summary Table

Atlantic City Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Atlantic City Safety Review

Safety Index:

48

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW