Id say look in Ocean County. I grew up in Brick which is exactly what your asking for coves and small houses. It’s a massive town so there’s no vibrant main street with bars and such. Could also look around Forker River, Lacey, or Tuckerton.

I think the taxes and home prices are more reasonable than Monmouth County, but Monmouth may have better nightlife. I’m not certain what you mean by vibrant, if you didn’t mean bars and nightlife.

Atlantic County could be even better on prices too but I’m not the most familiar with it. Cap May county has ocean city, wildwood and cape may too