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what are some decent philly suburbs in NJ for someone in their late twenties? I don't need a lot of nightlife, but a good mix of non-chain restaurants and bars and maybe a little downtown area would be nice. I also want somewhere that would be a convenient commute to new brunswick, as I'll be working there 1-2 days per week (and philly the rest).
That's a tough order to fill. How much access do you need to Philly, if any at all? If you are going to New Brunswick 1-2 days a week, where do you work the rest of the time?
Haddon Township was one area that sprung to mind. They have a small downtown, but it has some nice bars and little restaurants and is very convenient to the plethora of nice BYOB restaurants in Collingswood and Haddonfield and is convenient to all the main shopping areas of Cherry Hill. It also has a PATCO stop, so you would have direct train service to Philly. The commute to New Brunswick from there would basically be taking 295 the whole way and would probably run about an hour one way.
The issue is as you go further north in the Philly burbs you start to lose that downtown and mix of places you are looking for and you also lose easier access to Philly, while shortening the commute to New Brunswick.
If getting into Philly isn't a priority and you have nowhere you need to be in the immediate Philly burbs, you may want to check out Bordentown which has a decent downtown and a mix of bars and restaurants and is much closer to New Brunswick.
hey, thanks. I'm working in new brunswick 1-2 days per week, and philly 3-4 days per week. Even though I'll be in philly more, I actually wouldn't mind a little bit of a commute into philly if I could find somewhere decent closer to new brunswick, as I'll be there a couple days per week and most of my social network is in north jersey anyway. Would bordentown be an unbearable commute into philly? I think I could handle like an hour's drive. Is it otherwise a decent place - I'm not familiar with how far Trenton's sketchiness extends into those surrounding towns.
hey, thanks. I'm working in new brunswick 1-2 days per week, and philly 3-4 days per week. Even though I'll be in philly more, I actually wouldn't mind a little bit of a commute into philly if I could find somewhere decent closer to new brunswick, as I'll be there a couple days per week and most of my social network is in north jersey anyway. Would bordentown be an unbearable commute into philly? I think I could handle like an hour's drive. Is it otherwise a decent place - I'm not familiar with how far Trenton's sketchiness extends into those surrounding towns.
Trenton's sketchiness pretty much stays in Trenton. Bordentown is a nice area with no real issues. You also have the advantage of having a RiverLine stop in town, so you can take that north and pickup Septa in Trenton for the commute into Philly or take that south to Camden and then take PATCO depending on where you need to be in the city. The car commute would probably be pushing an hour or so depending on where you are going. Bordentown also has good access to all the shopping areas in Hamilton as well. I think it would probably be a good choice for you. The commute to Philly is doable and you have options and you are as close as you can be to New Brunswick while still keeping the Philly trip reasonable.
hey, thanks. I'm working in new brunswick 1-2 days per week, and philly 3-4 days per week. Even though I'll be in philly more, I actually wouldn't mind a little bit of a commute into philly if I could find somewhere decent closer to new brunswick, as I'll be there a couple days per week and most of my social network is in north jersey anyway. Would bordentown be an unbearable commute into philly? I think I could handle like an hour's drive. Is it otherwise a decent place - I'm not familiar with how far Trenton's sketchiness extends into those surrounding towns.
I hear what GOAT is saying but in your late 20's, you may get tired in Bordentown. You could hang out in Princeton during the "school year" but as you leave your twneties it could get old fast. Bordentown is probably your "halfway" point with a closer lean toward N. Jersey. Unfortunately, you will not find much vibrant lifestyle up there. You mentioned avoiding chain places and thats about the only think you will find at a local mall or shopping center. You will not find any convenient way into Philly from these areas and you will risk many a DUI!
I think you would find Collingswood or Haddon Twp (separated by blocks) ideal for your description. Haddon Twp has picked up its game with nice bars on the avenue and are attracting the young and dateable while Collingswood has all the BYO's for your date. You can also be in CC Philly 24/7 on the PATCO in under 15 minutes. Others may suggest Jenkintown and Abington which is very nice but cut off from the city as transit stops at midnight.
I hear what GOAT is saying but in your late 20's, you may get tired in Bordentown. You could hang out in Princeton during the "school year" but as you leave your twneties it could get old fast. Bordentown is probably your "halfway" point with a closer lean toward N. Jersey. Unfortunately, you will not find much vibrant lifestyle up there. You mentioned avoiding chain places and thats about the only think you will find at a local mall or shopping center. You will not find any convenient way into Philly from these areas and you will risk many a DUI!
I think you would find Collingswood or Haddon Twp (separated by blocks) ideal for your description. Haddon Twp has picked up its game with nice bars on the avenue and are attracting the young and dateable while Collingswood has all the BYO's for your date. You can also be in CC Philly 24/7 on the PATCO in under 15 minutes. Others may suggest Jenkintown and Abington which is very nice but cut off from the city as transit stops at midnight.
Bordentown has a decent variety of stuff downtown, but I wouldn't say it's as "young" as the scene in Haddon Twp. There are 4 different bars/gastro pubs/lounges in downtown Bordentown as well as a few other restaurants (no chains), a coffee shop, a deli and a couple ice cream places.
Downtown Bordentown Association (http://www.downtownbordentown.com/dining.htm - broken link)
I think it has a more vibrant and varied downtown then Collingswood or Haddon Twp., but it is an older more laid back crowd. Outside of the downtown there are a couple good diners along 206 and there is a Chickie and Pete's there as well that draws a young crowd.
In that area when you want chains you basically head to Hamilton and the shopping district along 206.
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