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Aerial view of long stretch of beach and built up areas along it
Man stands on the boardwalk with the beach behind him
Four women stand on the beach together in front of the sunset
Boardwalk in Ocean City NJ

On the boardwak

Your guide to Ocean City

More of a resort town than an actual city, Ocean City is sandwiched in between the waters of the Atlantic and the Isle of Wight Bay, and you’ll find everything here – beaches (10 miles of them in fact), water sports, theme parks, mini-golf courses and a whole gamut of restaurants and bars.

Officially known as the ‘Town of Ocean City’ with a population of under 7,000, Ocean City ain’t exactly a ‘city’ per se. However, when the weekend hits throughout the summer months, it becomes a whole different ballgame – trust us.

Up to 345,000 people flock here during the summer weekends, meaning that it becomes the second-most populated place in the whole of the state of Maryland beyond Baltimore.

Classic American beach town

Day trips to NYC and Philadelphia

Walkable and easy to get around

Affordable shared housing

Wide range of seasonal jobs

Strong J1 community

Sign for Ocean City NJ

Why Ocean City?

Let’s be honest – you can see why. 10 miles of sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, mini-golf courses, theme park rides at the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, water sports aplenty, a three-mile-long boardwalk, amusement arcades, an incredible array of restaurants and bars, shops – you name it, it’s here.

Boardwalk in Ocean City NJ

Where to live

One of the newest neighbourhoods is the aptly-named Sunset Island, which rests on the shores of the beautiful Assawoman Bay right in the heart of Ocean City. It’s packed full of amenities. There’s a year-round clubhouse with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an upscale gym, private beaches, a pier for fishing and plenty of bike paths for cycling. It goes without saying that the sunsets aren’t too shabby either.

Other areas to look at are the popular Heron Harbour and Montego Bay, featuring an eight-acre wildlife sanctuary, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts and plenty of shops and restaurants.

If you’re looking for something lower key, then Caine Woods would be your best bet. Or to be in the heart of the action, Hidden Harbour is right by the beach and features some of the city’s best dining and retail choices -as well as the 58-acre-wide Northside Park.

Young person poses with hands up in front of the restaurant and shop Bubba Gump

Where to work or intern

Tourism is the name of the game here - especially during the summer months. There are approximately 700 jobs here each year within seasonal positions, and these range from working in hotels and bars, in retail, and in the food and drinks industry too. This being a coastal spot, you can also work as a lifeguard or as a summer camp administrator too.

The average wage here per hour is give or take USD $15, and there’s also often perks such as complimentary housing, tips, staff meals and end of bonus contracts up to $500 here too.

Each year, we have 1,000+ J1 jobs with our tried-and-trusted US employers across America. Book onto J1 early and select ‘USIT Job’ for access to our online Job Hub where you can search, apply and get hired.

Desolate beach in the USA with distant park

What about climate?

The climate at Ocean City is very seasonal, with the optimum time to be here during the summers (June to the end of September) when temperatures range from 17 degrees Celsius to highs of 29 degrees Celsius. Winters here can get very cold, reaching lows of -2 degrees Celsius. In terms of rainfall, you can expect a fair amount of it during the Summer – July is the peak month when on average it rains 11.5 days of the month.

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There's nothing our US team don't know about working and playing in the States. Whether it's the best place for all-you-can-eat pancakes or where to find fellow J1-ers, our pointing and directing skills are world-famous. We will also help with all the nerdy stuff - visas, accommodation, tax – so you can bed in with the post-work crowd quicker than a seagull to a boardwalk donut.

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Best things to do in Ocean City

Don't miss this

1

Amusement park swing ride

Jolly Rodger Amusement Park

Hold on tight! If you’re looking for a slice of fun when you’re in Ocean City, then you should look no further than the Jolly Roger Amusement Park. With two different theme parks – one on the boardwalk and one in town – a water park, a mini-golf course and a go-karting track, it’s a place to really let your inner kid run riot.

2

Wooden jetty with a covered stand that extends out into a lake

Northside Park

This 58-acre spot is Ocean City’s largest and most popular park and recreation ground, and it boasts three baseball fields, a football field, a jogging trail, a gym and more. Basically, if you’re looking to keep fit, then this is the spot to come.

3

Lifeguard hut in the USA

Ocean City Beach

This expansive ten-mile stretch of golden sand is perhaps the place to go in town if you’re wanting a spot of R&R. There’s plenty of watersports here for you to get involved with if you’re feeling like you’re wanting to be active, or you can simply just kick back and relax. We know which one we’d choose.

4

Hand holding beer beneath tap

Pickles Pub

Follow and find out more

This laid-back, rustic spot is arguably the best drinking hole in the whole of Ocean City, and it has regular live music, pub grub and drafts of craft beer. What’s not to love?!

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It's in the name

Ways to work in America

Whether you want to fund your summer on a J1, make a difference working at camp, or get ahead with a professional internship, trainee or grad visa – USIT is the home of working in the US.

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