When Frank D’Alessio and Jessica Rubman decided to move in together, they made a long list of apartments they wanted to visit. But after one visit to The Pearl at Station Bay in South Amboy, they threw the list away.

From the first moment the couple stepped inside The Pearl, they knew it was something special. A two-story lobby and expansive fireplace lounge was a small preview of the many lifestyle amenities inside. The residences they toured were modern, stylish and spacious. They submitted an application the same day.

“We knew we should look at other apartment buildings, but we loved it so much we didn’t want to,” Ms. Rubman said. “We leased a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony that overlooks the courtyard and moved in at the end of November.”

South Amboy: Hidden Gem Coastal City

The first thing that drew Mr. D’Alessio and Ms. Rubman to the Pearl at Station Bay was its South Amboy location. They actually knew very little about the city, but they liked that it was about equidistant to Staten Island, where Mr. D’Alessio works as a supply chain manager, and Freehold, where Ms. Rubman works as a school guidance counselor. Now that they are residents, they realize why South Amboy is such a hidden gem.

“One thing we really love is having the train station right here, and the ferry,” Ms. Rubman said. “We’ve gone to the city three times already and we’ve taken the train to meet friends for dinner in Red Bank. The train ride is faster than the drive. It’s so convenient.”

“We really like that you can walk to the main street through the train station,” Mr. D’Alessio added. “We like walking to the diner, and we’ve been to a few of the bars. There is this great bagel place, Gem’s House of Bagels. We go there every week.”

There’s also South Amboy’s waterfront parks, bay beaches, and community events like seasonal outdoor concerts. Popular ocean beaches and marinas are a short drive away. Both Mr. D’Alessio and Ms. Rubman are from Monmouth County and love that their favorite Jersey shore destinations are easily accessible.

Brand-New Modern Residences

During their apartment search, Ms. Rubman wondered if a one-bedroom apartment would be enough space for them, but The Pearl’s thoughtfully designed interiors quickly won her over.

Like all residences at The Pearl at Station Bay, their apartment offers key features such as 9- to 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank flooring, solar window shades, and modular closet systems. Their kitchen includes quartz countertops, modern gray suede cabinetry, full-height tile backsplashes, undercabinet lighting, stainless steel appliances, and a gas range. From the mosaic tiles of the bathroom to the oversized windows that bathe the living room in natural sunlight, they agree that the layout is both functional and stylish.

“It’s more spacious than it looks,” Ms. Rubman said. “We like to have our family over a lot and there is plenty of room for them to come and visit. And with the amenities here, it is nice to also have spaces where we can entertain that are outside of our apartment.”

Curated Amenities for the Modern Lifestyle

The Pearl at Station Bay offers 26,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities for resident recreation, relaxation and convenience. It’s unlike anything Mr. D’Alessio and Ms. Rubman have experienced before. They enjoy spending weekends and evenings exploring the many different activity areas and social spaces.

Mr. D’Alessio uses the on-site fitness center every day. He also uses the golf simulator regularly. Ms. Rubman wasn’t a golfer before moving to The Pearl at Station Bay, but she picked up the sport thanks to all of the fun she was having on the simulator.

The couple also enjoys playing pool together and attending the social events that The Pearl at Station Bay staff members organize on a regular basis.

“We love the amenities. We use them all the time,” Ms. Rubman said. “And it’s nice to have spaces where we can socialize with other residents. I’m never bored here.”

“It was really nice with all of the snow we got. I never felt like I had cabin fever,” Mr. D’Alessio added. “We could use the gym, use the golf sim. There were some friends we met at an event the building held and we met up with them in the lounge. There is so much that you can do.”

When the weather warms up, The Pearl offers an outdoor swimming pool, outdoor dining spaces, ping pong, fire pits, and lush lawn and garden areas the couple looks forward to enjoying. Other amenities include multiple social lounges, a game lounge, co-working lounge with private offices, a smart café with coffee and a snack bar, and a private event suite with a bar, lounge and dining room. There’s also covered parking,  24/7 onsite maintenance, secure package lockers, and a pet spa and dog run.

Located at 2000 Schindler Drive, The Pearl at Station Bay is a community of 205 premium rental residences overlooking Raritan Bay. Studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments are available to rent, with monthly rental rates starting from the $2,100s and limited-time grand opening specials still available. Private tours can be scheduled by visiting www.ThePearlStationBay.com or calling 877-455-8513.