Looking to be close to Philly but open to all areas (Camden: condo, townhomes)

[all mixed up]

I currently live in NY, but it is too expensive. I was thinking about PA near Philly and comebody mentioned Cinnaminson in NJ. I am open to where I live, but have some needs. Here i my list.
Budget - 240K Max for a home or condo, 2-3 bedroom
School - My son is special needs so I am looking for a good school district
Area - Looking for a nice safe area to raise a family.
Work - I am in sales, but I need to live close to a big city. I don't want to live in a big city, but I need easy access.
Religion - We are jewish, not really religous, but would like to have access to a temple.
Right now I live in Bayside Queens and if you know Queens then you know what I am looking for. PLeae list the towns I should be looking at and why.

Thanks in advance.

[mike0421]

Westmont and Collingswood are closer to Philadelphia, and are on the PATCO line. This gives you easier access to Philly, while living in the suburbs. You are also close to Cherry Hill, which has reform and conservative temples.

[JerzBoy]

Cherry Hill and Voorhees have plenty of Jewish Temples.

As far as your price range - I'd look into Westmont and Audubon, NJ. You can probably find an old 2 or 3br home for 240k in good school districts.

I'd also suggest looking into Mount Laurel. You can find a nice 2br condo or townhome for under 240k with an excellent school district.

[billb7581]

I'm the one that mentioned Cinnaminson. We were in a similar boat as you, with various learning issues in our so.

Mt Laurel would probably be a good choice also. Anywhere with a decent sized population to support funding a thorough school district since you have special needs concerns.

Westmont and Cherry Hill are both in Camden County which, as a rule, is going to have on the order of 20% higher property taxes than Burlington County.

If you're in sales, you're driving anyhow, I would imagine so the Patco Deal isnt that important. Commuting from the North is a heck of a lot smoother than from the south, (42) or due east (676), Betsy Ross or Tacony Bridge to 95 south isn't that congested in the morning.

It's not like public transportation is impossible from this direction, you have the River Line and transfer to the Patco High Speed Line in Camden at the transportation center.

I won't pretend to know a lot about Judiaism, but there is a Synagogue here in town, the folks I know that go there don't seem particularly conservative so I'm assuming it's the reformed type.

I do know one thing... I did some DJ ing back in the day, and those Jewish folks out in the Cherry Hill, Voorhees area have STUPID MONEY.. . I'm talking Bah Mitzvah's that looked like they cost in excess of 50 grand, it was insane. There aren't a lot of Temples outside of that area besides the one in Cinna. The JCC and stuff is all out that way if that's a big deal to you.

[billb7581]

I was just looking at Bayside Queens entry on Wikipedia... I'm not sure what's going to have a similar feel around here... judging by the pics, most of South Jersey is going to have a less urban feel, but it's a tricky dance, if you want that urban feel, you're not going to find as good a school district within Philadelphia city limits IMO.

Cinnaminson is more of an inner ring suburb, bisected by a 6 lane highway (Rt 130)

There are 11 or 12 neighborhoods, but since it's older they just kinda spill into each other, back in the day they were distinct developments .

The housing stock in your price range is going to be either 50ish year old ranch or split level, or the townhomes being built down by the river.

To give you an idea I pay 5 grand in RE tax for a 2200 sq foot split on 1/3rd acre.