What happened to Willingboro, NJ??? (Camden, Fairview: houses, neighborhood, to buy)

[mswinendine]

I used to live in Willingboro in the seventies to mid eighties.....I 've heard it's not the same place it used to be today.....I've heard the school system is failing and the schools are overcrowded and full of corruption in the administration. However recently I drove thru to run @ the Park (Milcreek Park) and I thought the park was nice and clean and spacious....I always enjoy running there. I've never had any problems. Each time I drive through Willingboro it appears calm, uncrowded and basically a livable suburb. Why all the bad press about this place and have you had any bad experiences there? What I've seen does not match what I've heard. (other than the schools)

[frankgn87]

Willingboro is 'bad' for Burlington county.. Willingboro with be considered one of the better areas within Philly. Its all a matter what you are used to.. Willingboro is mostly a black section that is filled mostly with good hard working people and pretty safe..

[dhanu86]

The school system is very bad. I remember one year they had 20some bombthreats and closed school over that.

[NJGOAT]

I agree with frank's assessment, it's bad in comparison to Bulrington County and other area's of South Jersey, but it would be a pretty nice area in a major city like Philly. It is predominately working class black, so I think some of the stigma comes from that. The school system isn't great, but it's not horrible and FWIW, Moorestown and Haddonfield have bomb threats too.

The one thing I do know that is a major issue is that there are a lot of gang affiliates who live there and a lot of drug activity. Now, when I say gang affiliates, it doesn't mean there is gang violence and drivebys, just people who have been associated with various gangs at any point in their life. The drug issue though is very present.

[Lucario]

I really considered living there when I moved into the area in the late '80s, but I am so glad I did not.

[brooklynchick]

Hello,

I'm originally from Brooklyn N.Y and have been living here for almost 6 years. It's not a bad area at all. The houses are less expensive then the areas around this township but they are bigger and you get more for your money. I NEVER had an issue with so called gang people etc. I have two young boys and they love it. The school system is terrible starting at JHS and high school so I will be moving next year hopefully. Only because of that reason. You have to remember that Willingboro was once a neighborhood where Blacks were not allowed to buy homes here. Research it! It's a story to know about. Levitt and his brothers did not want any blacks to move in Willingboro in the 60's. Back then it was called Levitt township. A military man by the name of James took him to court and won. He was the first black person to move here. They even named a school after him. After that more African Americans started moving in and Whites started moving out. I was really sad to hear some of the comments stating that it's a bad neighborhood because it's really not. There is just more Black people living here, and I think that is the reason why the houses are cheaper then other townships near by. And for the record Burlington City or Camden city is NOTHING compared to Willingboro N.J. So if you don't like telling your family you live in an Almost all black community and you will be ashamed then Willingboro is not for you. But if you don't mind living with hard working minorities that will not bother you and you will get plenty of space for your money then Welcome!!!!!! FYI I'm Hispanic and I have like 4 or 5 White American neighbors that stayed around since the 60's. They don't mind it. Why can't we all just get Along!!!!!

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by brooklynchick

Hello,

I'm originally from Brooklyn N.Y and have been living here for almost 6 years. It's not a bad area at all. The houses are less expensive then the areas around this township but they are bigger and you get more for your money. I NEVER had an issue with so called gang people etc. I have two young boys and they love it. The school system is terrible starting at JHS and high school so I will be moving next year hopefully. Only because of that reason. You have to remember that Willingboro was once a neighborhood where Blacks were not allowed to buy homes here. Research it! It's a story to know about. Levitt and his brothers did not want any blacks to move in Willingboro in the 60's. Back then it was called Levitt township. A military man by the name of James took him to court and won. He was the first black person to move here. They even named a school after him. After that more African Americans started moving in and Whites started moving out. I was really sad to hear some of the comments stating that it's a bad neighborhood because it's really not. There is just more Black people living here, and I think that is the reason why the houses are cheaper then other townships near by. And for the record Burlington City or Camden city is NOTHING compared to Willingboro N.J. So if you don't like telling your family you live in an Almost all black community and you will be ashamed then Willingboro is not for you. But if you don't mind living with hard working minorities that will not bother you and you will get plenty of space for your money then Welcome!!!!!! FYI I'm Hispanic and I have like 4 or 5 White American neighbors that stayed around since the 60's. They don't mind it. Why can't we all just get Along!!!!!

FYI, Willingboro was Willingboro back in colonial times. Then it became Levittown, NJ & the name was later changed back to Willingboro.

The last time that I saw the demographics the town was about 50/50. That may have changed somewhat.

[frankgn87]

295- Willingboro is about 70% black now. Even that seems low to me... Id guess 85% is more realistic

[ihatenj]

Originally Posted by brooklynchick

Hello,

I'm originally from Brooklyn N.Y and have been living here for almost 6 years. It's not a bad area at all. The houses are less expensive then the areas around this township but they are bigger and you get more for your money. I NEVER had an issue with so called gang people etc. I have two young boys and they love it. The school system is terrible starting at JHS and high school so I will be moving next year hopefully. Only because of that reason. You have to remember that Willingboro was once a neighborhood where Blacks were not allowed to buy homes here. Research it! It's a story to know about. Levitt and his brothers did not want any blacks to move in Willingboro in the 60's. Back then it was called Levitt township. A military man by the name of James took him to court and won. He was the first black person to move here. They even named a school after him. After that more African Americans started moving in and Whites started moving out. I was really sad to hear some of the comments stating that it's a bad neighborhood because it's really not. There is just more Black people living here, and I think that is the reason why the houses are cheaper then other townships near by. And for the record Burlington City or Camden city is NOTHING compared to Willingboro N.J. So if you don't like telling your family you live in an Almost all black community and you will be ashamed then Willingboro is not for you. But if you don't mind living with hard working minorities that will not bother you and you will get plenty of space for your money then Welcome!!!!!! FYI I'm Hispanic and I have like 4 or 5 White American neighbors that stayed around since the 60's. They don't mind it. Why can't we all just get Along!!!!!

Amen to that!,I remember when I was a kid,my father would make a delivery to that town once a week,told him,this is nice neighborhood.I haven't been there in over 30yrs,it can never compare to Camden though!,or could it?Houses were always well kept,lawns,etc.Gotta be better then what Fairview is now though.

[cminj]

Its an experiment from the 1950s. Its basically not a real place with real people. Its like futurama. It was out of date the day it opened so the developers moved on to better things and left it for the bargain hunters.