Westlake Golf and Country Club

Westlake Golf and Country Club is a gated 55+ active adult community in Jackson, Ocean County, New Jersey, built jointly by US Homes (Lennar) and Toll Brothers between 1999 and 2006. With approximately 1,450 single-family homes surrounding an 18-hole Arthur Hills-designed championship golf course, Westlake is one of the largest active adult communities in South Jersey and delivers a genuine country club lifestyle at HOA fees well below what you'd expect for this level of amenity. The centerpiece is a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse that functions as the community's social heart. Inside you'll find a full-service restaurant, a pub/bar, a grand ballroom that hosts Broadway-caliber entertainment and dances, a state-of-the-art fitness center, card rooms, a billiards room, arts and crafts studio, and a library. Outside, residents have indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts, plus walking paths throughout the landscaped grounds. A full-time activities director keeps the social calendar packed. The 6,337-yard, par-71 Arthur Hills course is private to residents and their guests — not open to the public — with seven tee options so it plays fair for everyone from casual golfers to low handicappers. Many homes enjoy direct golf course or lake views, and the rolling layout is a genuine amenity rather than a backdrop. Residents can play on an open-play basis or take an annual membership. Homes range from roughly 1,800 to 3,500 square feet across a wide variety of floor plans — most are single-level ranches with the primary suite on the main floor, but a number have second-story lofts, basements (rare for NJ 55+ communities), or both. Typical configurations are 2–3 bedrooms, 2–3 baths, and attached 2-car garages. Popular Toll Brothers models include the Stratton, San Remo, Monaco, St. Raphael, St. Tropez, and Keystone; US Homes contributed models like the Heritage and Aspen. Interior upgrades commonly include high ceilings, granite counters, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, and sunrooms. Social life is a defining strength. Dozens of clubs meet regularly — bird watching, gardening, dancing, watercolor painting, bowling, computers, wine tasting, a Brooklyn Club for transplants, and even a "Do Nothing Club" for guys who want to sit around and do exactly that. Resident reviews are mixed on social warmth (some long-timers rave, a few newer residents report cliquishness), but the sheer volume of organized activity means there's no shortage of ways to plug in. The HOA covers lawn maintenance, snow removal, trash, water, sewer, common grounds, and management — essentially freeing residents from exterior upkeep. A one-time capital contribution is required of new homeowners. Westlake is now fully built out and is resale-only; no new construction is available. Location is a quiet advantage. Westlake sits just off South Cooks Bridge Road in Jackson, with I-195 and Route 9 nearby and Garden State Parkway Exit 98 less than 10 miles away. The Jersey Shore beaches are under an hour, New York City and Philadelphia are each about 75–90 minutes, and Atlantic City is roughly 90 minutes south. Jackson Premium Outlets, Freehold Raceway Mall, Six Flags Great Adventure, and the Monmouth and Freehold Racetracks are all within a 15–30 minute drive.