Mt Ephraim? (Camden, Bellmawr, White Horse: house, safe neighborhood, purchase)

[bodeca30]

Seems like a pretty nice area. Anyone from there fill me in on if it is a good area for a family?

Thanks!

[JerzBoy]

Mt Ephraim is OK. Slightly nicer than Brooklawn. I consider that whole Gloucester, Brooklawn, Mt Ephraim, that side of Bellmawr to all be similar. A lot of working-class irish-american individuals who aren't the most "cultured" in the world. Try looking on the opposite side of the Black Horse Pike (168) if you can - it is ALOT nicer.

[mike0421]

I consider Mt Ephraim to be a continuation of Bellmawr and Runnemede. A "Levittown"-type 1940s era inner ring suburb. Homes were made smaller then, on smaller lots. You'll have many smaller Cape Cod type homes here. As the previous poster said, headed towards Deptford, it improves somewhat. Also, if you go to the other side of the WHITE HORSE Pike, towards Barrington and Haddon Heights, the neighborhoods here improve considerably, but only if you are North of 295. Magnolia, Somerdale, etc, are not very desirable at all IMO.

[NJ987654]

I disagree slightly from mike0421. Runnemede and Glendora are priced similiar to Bellmawr and Mt. Ephraim but do not suffer as much from the proximity to Camden, Rt 130, and other area which have considerably more social problems. Culturally, they are similar.

I do like his opinion about areas like Barrington, Haddon Heights, Somerdale, Magnolia.... I'd add Gloucester Township and Haddon Township to the mix.

[JerzBoy]

Originally Posted by mike0421

I consider Mt Ephraim to be a continuation of Bellmawr and Runnemede. A "Levittown"-type 1940s era inner ring suburb. Homes were made smaller then, on smaller lots. You'll have many smaller Cape Cod type homes here. As the previous poster said, headed towards Deptford, it improves somewhat. Also, if you go to the other side of the WHITE HORSE Pike, towards Barrington and Haddon Heights, the neighborhoods here improve considerably, but only if you are North of 295. Magnolia, Somerdale, etc, are not very desirable at all IMO.

You don't have to be on the other side of the White Horse Pike for nice neighborhoods. The areas of Audubon, Haddon Heights and Barrington between the Black Horse and White Horse Pikes are very desirable as well. I agree with the north of 295/NJTP suggestion though.

[bodeca30]

The difficulty comes with affordability. I have to balance nice neighborhood for what we can afford to purchase which is also affected by the taxes. Balance beam act. I have to be realistic in my expectations. I need a neighborhood that will be a relatively safe neighborhood for the next several years.

Also you mention Gloucester TWP but I have been warned away from several towns including sicklerville & blackwood. Are those the only ones to veer away from?

[JerzBoy]

I don't think blackwood is that bad. If you are looking for a balance between affordability and decent areas - I would look at Runnemede, Glendora, Deptford, and yes Blackwood. They are pretty decent for the money.

[bodeca30]

We had to turn away from a house I loved because of a dang frieght train that was about 80 feet from the back door and noone had any info. Actually everyone had info but it was all different. Anyway we are figuring we may have to go more south then we intended. There are a few house that show up as gloucester township but have a sicklerville zip. They are black horse pike regional schools as opposed to winslow. Not expecting blue ribbon but my kids do excellent in school and would not just be educated through school. Would you say that area is worth considering?

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by JerzBoy

Mt Ephraim is OK. Slightly nicer than Brooklawn. I consider that whole Gloucester, Brooklawn, Mt Ephraim, that side of Bellmawr to all be similar. A lot of working-class irish-american individuals who aren't the most "cultured" in the world.

You got that right. Most of it is carryover from south philly.

[bodeca30]

BTW anyone familiar with that freight line that runs through mount ephraim I will love you forever if you can give me some honest info on it such as speed, frequency, quality of life issues