Relocating to NJ - Cherry Hill Area (Camden, Atlantic City: to rent, houses)

[martinman]

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking of relocating to the Cherry Hill area from the SE Michigan (Detroit suburb). Can you tell me about the people, area, etc? I was down there for a day for an interview. So, I was only able to see the area from a short drive to/from the philly airport, and briefly for lunch. I understand from reading through the forum that taxes are high, and the general cost of living is higher in the area. Coming from the Detroit area (specifically the auto industry), I would trade high taxes and a high cost of living for the stress, uneasyness, and general decline of SE Michigan. It's my wife and and my 3 year old daugter now - probably more kids on the way.

Thoughts? My wife and I have never lived anywhere else but Michgan. I spent a few summers at the shore (my parents use to rent a vacation house) when I was little, but that's about it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
mark

[MrSaturdayNight]

I used to live in Cherry Hill for like 7 years and from my experience it is a very nice place to live. Cherry Hill is a very laid back, clean, beautiful place to live. It is also an excellent place to raise your kids (typical suburbia) with excellent school systems and very safe. Plenty of stores, groceries and other shopping needs. Plenty of malls and restaurants and other eateries as well. One good thing about living in Cherry Hill is that you will be close to other great places. For example, you would be only 2 hours away from New York City, 1 hour away from Atlantic City and the jersey shores, and like 2 hours away from the poconos. Philadelphia Internation Airport is like only 20-30 mins away and plenty of train stations that goes into Philly if you are looking for nightlife. As far as people go, mostly middle-upperclass whites, with a big jewish community there but you will still see plenty of diversity with a mix of asians, indians blacks as well. Umm dont know what else to add but if you want to know anything else just ask.

[shannybannany]

My hubby and I moved here to CH last year. I'm originally from NJ (more north) but hub is from Los Angeles and loves it here.

Taxes are high but you get what you pay for I guess.

I think it is great!

Good luck!

Shanny

[FlyersFan]

I am a New Jersey DEP radon specialist and while Cherry Hill is only an average incidence town most of it appears to be located south of Route 70 in the 08003 zip code area. Testing shows that Old Orchard development, anything off Springdale, Marlkress, and Kresson Roads, including Willowdale, Woodcrest and Downs Farm developments all have consistantly high/unsafe radon levels. If your buying in Cherry Hill, especially south of Route 70, get yourself a radon test as part of your purchase agreement.

[martinman]

Thanks all for your comments;

FlyersFan - I understand that parts of NJ are superfund(?) cleanup sites. I've read a couple of your comments on other sites. Based on your knowledge, where is the ideal place to live? We'll probably rent first (we have to get out of house in Michigan), but will eventually purchase assuming we like the area.

[billb7581]

As a rule of thumb, taxes are going to be higher in Camden County, because they're carrying part of the load for Camden itself.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by martinman

Thanks all for your comments;

FlyersFan - I understand that parts of NJ are superfund(?) cleanup sites. I've read a couple of your comments on other sites. Based on your knowledge, where is the ideal place to live? We'll probably rent first (we have to get out of house in Michigan), but will eventually purchase assuming we like the area.

Well.......first.....just so theres no confusion, radon and superfund sites are two entirely different things. Superfund sites to be cleaned up are toxic debris that man has dumped there over the years while radon is a natually formed, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas formed from decaying uranium deposits deep in the ground. Neither are related to each other what-so-ever. All houses have some radon you just want it below a certain level. I wouldn't pick where to live based upon radon incidence as even if the house tests over the limits in 99% of most situations its easily mitigated to safe levels. I only warn so that buyers can test and if needed have the buyer responsible for the costs of mitigation. As far as taxes go I can tell you that of all the counties in the United States New Jersey has 13 of the highest 20 for overall tax burden for residents.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by martinman

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking of relocating to the Cherry Hill area from the SE Michigan (Detroit suburb). Can you tell me about the people, area, etc? I was down there for a day for an interview. So, I was only able to see the area from a short drive to/from the philly airport, and briefly for lunch. I understand from reading through the forum that taxes are high, and the general cost of living is higher in the area. Coming from the Detroit area (specifically the auto industry), I would trade high taxes and a high cost of living for the stress, uneasyness, and general decline of SE Michigan. It's my wife and and my 3 year old daugter now - probably more kids on the way.

Thoughts? My wife and I have never lived anywhere else but Michgan. I spent a few summers at the shore (my parents use to rent a vacation house) when I was little, but that's about it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
mark

It would be a major step up from where you are. CH is a very good area in the prime area of the northeast, easy access to Philly, the NJ shoreline, NYC and points north and south. Cherry Hill has a wide variety of housing, it is a township of roughly 80,000 people. Generally, it is considered an affluent area with a large jewish population, top schools, and a major shopping destination.

[VCT84]

There are some neighboring towns (Mt. Laurel, Marlton, Maple Shade) that border Cherry Hill and have similar homes and such, but could have lower taxes b/c they are on the Burlington County side instead of Camden County. Something to consider if the taxes are bothering you. Over all, a lot of Burlington County towns (except for Moorestown) seem to be lower than CC.

[frankgn87]

Ch is a super area.... Like it has already been hashed out. Its the hub of all activity.