Moorestown, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Delran (Camden, Burlington: homes, condos, rent)

[beautygirlsmom]

I grew up in Medford, my kids now go to school in Cherry Hill, but I live in Bellmawr. We are actually selling our house to move to FL, near my in-laws, who are elderly and in need of assistance. I am located 10 minutes from Center City Philly, and this neighborhood is very quiet, nice neighbors, very "community" feeling. Of all the areas you mention, I'd go with Delran last, followed next to last by Maple Shade. Mt. Laurel has some very nice areas and can be affordable. I would say during rush hour, give yourself at least 45 minutes to Center City Philly.

We pay about $5000 per year taxes where we are in Camden County on a 3 BR 1.5 bath home. We got back about $700 in homestead rebate.

[jerseynurse]

I like Mt. Laurel. It's a pretty town with a nice school district, although, it does lack a true "Main Street". It would take a good 30 mins. to get to Philly from there. I lived in Maple Shade for 10 years and it, too, is a nice town, but the schools are not great. There are many apartments in Maple Shade and it is very convenient for shopping. If you move to NJ, property taxes are HIGH, so brace yourself!! Good luck in your move!

[exMedfordLaker]

I actually grew up in Mount Laurel, worked in Moorestown, and lived in Delran for a while as well. I had friends in Maple Shade. I lived down in Woolwich for a brief time which is in Gloucester County. My last stop in NJ was Medford Lakes. It is a 1 square mile town in the center of Medford, close to Shamong and not far from Southampton.

If you have kids, Medford Lakes is something worth considering as well due to the community and activities. Check out some of my other posts. If I ever go back to Jersey, Medford Lakes is the only place I want to be in Southern NJ, and perhaps one of the best kept secrets. I even still own a home there, and if I don't rent it, or sell it, I will probably use it during the summer to visit friends and go to the lakes.

Honestly, Moorestown is very nice, but you get more $ for $ in the Lenape School Districts (all high schools). Lenape serves Mt. Laurel, Marlton, Medford, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Vincentown, Woodland and areas included between. It is a very good school.

If you are commuting to Philly, Burlington County isn't the closest, but does offer a nice balance if you are willing to put in the extra time.

Just a note about Delran. I had a townhome there for 4 years. I lived right on the border of Moorestown, and it might as well have been located there. But I liked the feel of Medford Lakes better, and I still miss it to this day. I had many friends in Southampton when I was growing up, and this is a nice area too.

If you want a short commute, then you're probably going to have to settle for Camden County, or maybe some of the northern areas of Gloucester County. I did live in Collingswood briefly, and although I was very close to Camden, the area was fairly reasonable and right off the Patco line. I don't know what the area is like these days, but there are nice homes off of the Cooper River that might be worth looking at. I worked in Moorestown, so for me it was a no brainer to stay in Burlington County, and I still miss Medford Lakes to this day.

You may still be able to find more reasonably priced homes in Medford Lakes, Southampton, and maybe Shamong, but you will have a longer commute. You can drive to the Patco, and there are various locations to pick it up.

[canonshot]

If I were choosing between living in Moorestown or The Main Line (PA), what would you recommend?

Housing costs are not so much of an issue (if they are too high I am willing to rent) but schools, culture, and minimal driving are key.

I should probably also mention that I will work in Cherry Hill and my wife will work in Center City

[JerzBoy]

Schools are excellent in both places. Not too sure about "culture" The mainline is probably more walkable than Moorestown. Moorestown has a nice little downtown but the area as a whole is more suburban than the Main Line. Your wifes commute to Center City will be equally easy from both places. However, a commute from the Main Line to Cherry Hill would not be fun. I guess your commute would be the deciding factor in choosing where to live.

[World of Genesis]

Originally Posted by AKF

Can anyone give me any input on any of the above places?

Thanks!

Mount Laurel and Moorestown have great school systems. Maple Shade not so much. Delran has a low crime rate (like Moorestown and Mount Laurel), but the public school system doesn't have the best reputation. In no particular order, the best school systems in south Jersey are probably:

Haddonfield, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, and Medford. Of course, that also makes these places among the more expensive to live!

[billb7581]

Going by this site Moorestown was 99th best High School in the state.

New Jersey State Schools - NJ School Rankings

Delran is in the 160's

Maple Shade is in the 260's

If your looking at Delran, you should look at Cinnaminson, same sort of town adjacent to Delran ranked 115 (one spot above Cherry Hill West FWIW)

I think it doesn't pop up on City-Data because it shares a zip code with Riverton


Commuting to CC from Southwest BurlCo.. (Delran Cinnaminson area) is easy now as you have the River Line that takes you to the Patco Station in Camden.

[fifi507]

I will be renting in the Moorestown/Mt Laurel area. I see some nice rentals in Marlton. Can anyone give me direction since I'll have to rent without seeing the property? I'm coming in from Minnesota in June.

[billb7581]

Where in Phila are you working.

[fifi507]

Working at Lockheed Martin in Moorestown