mid-twenties moving to South NJ (Atlantic City, Glassboro: apartment, rental, homes)

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by njgirl5

My vote would be Collingswood.

Closest Patco stop to Philly that is not Camden.

Closer in proximity to Philly airport, Philly sports/entertainment complexes, shopping, restaurants, general entertainment than all of the other places you have provided. Collingswood is also well situated near Cherry Hill which has extensive development: big box shopping, restaurants and grocers, huge mall, movie theaters, etc. 10-12 minutes drive away. "Wet" Haddon Township next door to Collingswood does offer a limited, but growing pub scene. Collingswood is considered more diverse and 'hip' but it still does have its share of senior citizens and families too. In SJ you are going to have to work a lot harder than you are say living in Philly to get to know people your own age. However, in the more populated areas of SJ (Western Camden County), closer to the city, it will be easier than say in lower/easter Camden County or Gloucester County, just due to the pure population density alone.

Other things Collingswood has: BYOB to decent restaurant fare. Walkable downtown with shops and quite a few restaurants. Live music at coffeehouses. A nice park. The occasional street festival event.

Only downside would be the commute to Sewell.

Which is more important, an easy commute to work or an easy commute to party? That is the OP's situation. The OP is from the South. What happens if it snows in the winter? Snow removal is not significantly better than the South. After college, my nephew tried commuting from Pitman, where he grew up, to Moorestown. He changed his mind after a couple of winters & now lives in Cherry Hill, to be closer to work.

[sdquarle]

Yes that is the issue. Right now it is pretty much between Pitman and Collingswood as I've found dog-friendly apartments in both towns that fit my budget.

Snow doesn't worry me that much as I have an AWD car and spent this past winter in the cascades skiing, which taught me a lot about driving in the snow. The idea of an hour commute due to snow is a pain in the ass and I'm sure that would be a regular thing during the winter.

I'm going to stay open-minded at this point and visit both towns and see what speaks to me. I really like the idea of being able to walk/bike to the PATCO and head into Philly which I believe would make visiting my family and friend in NYC a bit easier. The 10 minute commute to Pitman would be real nice too and I'm sure my dog would prefer not being stuck inside for 8-9 hours straight(My new job would allow me to head home for my lunch break).

Thanks for the help, everyone has raised some good points and questions that I will be pondering this next week. Moving to a new place is pretty intimidating but this forum has made it a tad bit easier.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by JerzBoy

Apartment complexes in Lindenwold and Clementon usually aren't a good bet as many of them are rundown and/or plagued with crime. I've also heard poor things about the Riverview at Collingswood.

Blackwood, Deptford, or Glassboro would probably be the easiest commute to Sewell although I don't know too much about individual apartment complexes there. (Glassboro contains Rowan University so it will skew younger and it may be easier to meet people there.)

There are a few apartment complexes in Haddon Township (Westmont) that I've heard good things about although I can't remember their names. That area is near the PATCO line and has a fair number of bars that are frequented by 20-somethings. The commute to Sewell wouldn't be too bad.

Your best bet is to really tour the complexes yourself though. Do you have any time to visit before you officially move?

JB still pumping out the good information on these forums....for those that remember me, I hope everyone is well.

[tom_567]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Which is more important, an easy commute to work or an easy commute to party? That is the OP's situation. The OP is from the South. What happens if it snows in the winter? Snow removal is not significantly better than the South. After college, my nephew tried commuting from Pitman, where he grew up, to Moorestown. He changed his mind after a couple of winters & now lives in Cherry Hill, to be closer to work.

Your example is not the same. You're talking about a commute with city traffic. I did that exact commute from Washington Township to Mount Laurel for almost 4 years, and it's a bad commute. However, Collingswood to Glassboro is a reverse commute. You would take 130S to 55S to exit 50A. It's a straight shot and would be a consistent 25 minutes each way every day. That's not that far, and it snows a few days a year.

The dog issue sounds like a bigger one to me. But if the OP gets up early and lives near Cooper River Park, the dog can go out before work and after work. Besides, you may want to meet new coworkers over lunch, etc. Also, keep in mind that day time traffic in the area can be a mess. So unless you're right next to your work, that "5 minute" drive could easily be 15 and quickly chew into your lunch.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

JB still pumping out the good information on these forums....for those that remember me, I hope everyone is well.

Yes I do.. How r u?? We are loving Jersey the last 3.5 years we have been here.

[merin626]

Through my 20's I have lived in Glassboro (for school), Blackwood, and currently Washington Township (Sewell).

Even though I don't think I would live there now (because I am now older and used to nicer amenities, not fresh out of the college apartment), I used to live at Lakeview Apartments (2003-2004) with a dog. I am a Rowan graduate, and we called them the "Rowan Retirement" because a lot of graduates would move there for a year or two. I knew several people in their mid to late 20's who rented there, and two people who are currently living there. They don't mind the location, but I did run into problems with squirrels in the walls on two different occasions. Lakeview has its own exit onto 42 and its 10 minutes into Philly, as well as close to the Deptford Mall. However, when I lived there there wasn't good nightlife nearby.

I wouldn't recommend Millbridge. I had another friend who lived there for a short period of time and when I visited her I didn't feel very safe. Also, there is even LESS nightlife.

I don't know why people are trashing The Club at Locust Grove. Back in the day that was my #1 pick over Lakeview but it was too much $$$$$ on my just-out-of-college budget. Still not much nightlife, but also close to Philly. The Club at Main Street is also really nice over in Voorhees. I know some 20's who live over there.

As other posters have mentioned, I wouldn't advise Lindenwold.

I'm actually not as familiar with Collingswood, especially as a spot to meet 20 somethings. I go to Collingswood and Haddonfield more as I have gotten older, for a nice BYOB dinner and to walk around (I'm 31). People on this board always seem to mention Collingswood as a "hot spot" of some sort, but that wasn't my personal experience. It is a nice area, but you would be about 20 minutes from work depending on time of day and traffic.

I can tell you that when I was in my 20's my friends and I spent most of our time in Washington Township (at sports bars like Ott's and PJ's) or we ventured closer to Cherry Hill or Voorhees (there have been a series of bars/restaurants we frequented). Most of the time, we went out in Philadelphia or very frequently, made the trip down to AC and down the shore in the summer.

As far as wanting to be close to the PATCO for nights out in Philly, if you can find a place walking distance from the train that would be great, otherwise you have to have a designated driver anyway, which basically defeats the purpose of the train. In the evenings, it has been my experience that it is easier to just drive because traffic isn't bad, parking usually isn't terrible (if you plan some extra time in your evening to look for a spot). I could get home (to Township) from a night out in Philly in about 15-20 minutes.

I don't agree with the idea that Pitman would be a good place. It is sleepy and there is not much nightlife at all. If I was going to pick a spot south of Rt 42, I would pick Washington Township any day over Pitman. Both are very close to Rowan when school is in session, but like others have said, Rowan doesn't have much to do besides Landmark (a local bar).

Oh, and I wouldn't worry about the snow. Most of your driving is highway where ever you decide, and many years it only snows once or twice. We had a couple of freak years, but it's so unpredictable you can't even think about it. Good luck with your search!

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by merin626

Through my 20's I have lived in Glassboro (for school), Blackwood, and currently Washington Township (Sewell).

Even though I don't think I would live there now (because I am now older and used to nicer amenities, not fresh out of the college apartment), I used to live at Lakeview Apartments (2003-2004) with a dog. I am a Rowan graduate, and we called them the "Rowan Retirement" because a lot of graduates would move there for a year or two. I knew several people in their mid to late 20's who rented there, and two people who are currently living there. They don't mind the location, but I did run into problems with squirrels in the walls on two different occasions. Lakeview has its own exit onto 42 and its 10 minutes into Philly, as well as close to the Deptford Mall. However, when I lived there there wasn't good nightlife nearby.

I wouldn't recommend Millbridge. I had another friend who lived there for a short period of time and when I visited her I didn't feel very safe. Also, there is even LESS nightlife.

I don't know why people are trashing The Club at Locust Grove. Back in the day that was my #1 pick over Lakeview but it was too much $$$$$ on my just-out-of-college budget. Still not much nightlife, but also close to Philly. The Club at Main Street is also really nice over in Voorhees. I know some 20's who live over there.

As other posters have mentioned, I wouldn't advise Lindenwold.

I'm actually not as familiar with Collingswood, especially as a spot to meet 20 somethings. I go to Collingswood and Haddonfield more as I have gotten older, for a nice BYOB dinner and to walk around (I'm 31). People on this board always seem to mention Collingswood as a "hot spot" of some sort, but that wasn't my personal experience. It is a nice area, but you would be about 20 minutes from work depending on time of day and traffic.

I can tell you that when I was in my 20's my friends and I spent most of our time in Washington Township (at sports bars like Ott's and PJ's) or we ventured closer to Cherry Hill or Voorhees (there have been a series of bars/restaurants we frequented). Most of the time, we went out in Philadelphia or very frequently, made the trip down to AC and down the shore in the summer.

As far as wanting to be close to the PATCO for nights out in Philly, if you can find a place walking distance from the train that would be great, otherwise you have to have a designated driver anyway, which basically defeats the purpose of the train. In the evenings, it has been my experience that it is easier to just drive because traffic isn't bad, parking usually isn't terrible (if you plan some extra time in your evening to look for a spot). I could get home (to Township) from a night out in Philly in about 15-20 minutes.

I don't agree with the idea that Pitman would be a good place. It is sleepy and there is not much nightlife at all. If I was going to pick a spot south of Rt 42, I would pick Washington Township any day over Pitman. Both are very close to Rowan when school is in session, but like others have said, Rowan doesn't have much to do besides Landmark (a local bar).

Oh, and I wouldn't worry about the snow. Most of your driving is highway where ever you decide, and many years it only snows once or twice. We had a couple of freak years, but it's so unpredictable you can't even think about it. Good luck with your search!

I said that it would be possible to walk to some of the bars in Glassboro from most of Pitman. It's a nice safe town to live in.

When people go out in Philly, it's usually South St or somewhere in or near center city. That means returning to Jersey via the Ben Franklin. It usually took me 20 - 30 minutes to drive back to Cherry Hill, depending on traffic. How do you get to Wshington Twp in 15 or 20 minutes?

[merin626]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

I said that it would be possible to walk to some of the bars in Glassboro from most of Pitman. It's a nice safe town to live in.

When people go out in Philly, it's usually South St or somewhere in or near center city. That means returning to Jersey via the Ben Franklin. It usually took me 20 - 30 minutes to drive back to Cherry Hill, depending on traffic. How do you get to Wshington Twp in 15 or 20 minutes?

I don't speed that much, I usually go about 70 into Philly, or with the flow of traffic.

When I was younger and went out to Philly - I would go to bars that were near the Ben Franklin Bridge, or in Olde City. You can jump on 95S from Market Street and take the Walt Whitman home. Same is basically true with South Street, you can take Front to 95S and to home. If you are in Center City it might be a little longer, but I don't usually go out in Center City.

As far as it taking 15-20 minutes, its not unreasonable. I can get to the 295 exit off of 42 in less than 10 minutes with no traffic. From there, it isn't crazy to think that with no traffic you could be in the city in another 10.

Here is some perspective - my husband and I clocked out a trip from my sisters house in E. Vineland (!) to my husband's one work location near 9th and Market. From there, it was a 40-45 minute drive with no traffic. Cherry Hill area is just more congested with more traffic lights to get stuck at. My drive is basically highway.

Also, it is misleading to mention bars, as in plural, when talking about Glassboro. Except for Landmark...name one (and the bowling alley doesn't count). Also, 2.5 miles each way isn't really "walking distance." And while Pitman might be a nice safe town, I wouldn't have considered wandering through Glassboro at night, outside of the campus/student-centered destinations.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by merin626

I don't speed that much, I usually go about 70 into Philly, or with the flow of traffic.

When I was younger and went out to Philly - I would go to bars that were near the Ben Franklin Bridge, or in Olde City. You can jump on 95S from Market Street and take the Walt Whitman home. Same is basically true with South Street, you can take Front to 95S and to home. If you are in Center City it might be a little longer, but I don't usually go out in Center City.

As far as it taking 15-20 minutes, its not unreasonable. I can get to the 295 exit off of 42 in less than 10 minutes with no traffic. From there, it isn't crazy to think that with no traffic you could be in the city in another 10.

Here is some perspective - my husband and I clocked out a trip from my sisters house in E. Vineland (!) to my husband's one work location near 9th and Market. From there, it was a 40-45 minute drive with no traffic. Cherry Hill area is just more congested with more traffic lights to get stuck at. My drive is basically highway.

Also, it is misleading to mention bars, as in plural, when talking about Glassboro. Except for Landmark...name one (and the bowling alley doesn't count). Also, 2.5 miles each way isn't really "walking distance." And while Pitman might be a nice safe town, I wouldn't have considered wandering through Glassboro at night, outside of the campus/student-centered destinations.

There's not a lot of congestion in Cherry Hill, after the stores shut down at night. Driving 70 mph into Philly is a good way to have an accident or get a ticket. That's your business, but it's misrepresenting the drive time. I've driven from my sister's house in Pitman to work in Philly more than once & I know how long it takes when you go the speed limit. If the OP drives up & takes the train in, which is what was discussed, it doesn't matter at all, does it?

2 other posters have said that Pitman is a good location to live. There are bars & restaurants that serve near it. You obviously don't like it. That doesn't make me a liar. The OP is from the Deep South & will either love it or be creeped out because Pitman has a bit of a southern flavor to it. The OP is looking for a rental, not to be locked into a house to buy.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Yes I do.. How r u?? We are loving Jersey the last 3.5 years we have been here.

Pretty good, Frank. I work in investment management so the market's been a lot of fun since 2008..LOL, but I survived. Bought an investment property near Vegas (Henderson, NV) and renting it out until I retire there in 10-15 years or so. At least that's the plan.