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Thanks to everyone who has replied. This is helpful.
There are actually two additional reasons for a potential move. First, we live in a part of CH that is very ethnically diverse. As a result, there is a clash of values regarding education and child rearing. As an example, several of my neighbors do not permit their kids to come outside and instead keep them inside either doing school work or practicing an instrument until 8 to 10 pm each day. Of course, several other neighbors attempt to integrate into the community and we appreciate my children's exposure to other cultural values. But, there is this extreme element that seems above and beyond other communities. Second, my wife is concerned about what she has seen in some of the other families in this particular development. We'd like our children to be around families who share our value system. I guess we feel--she more than I-- that we're not very well matched for this particular development. She wants to kids around what she feels are better quality people who work hard, play hard, are kind, socially competent and thoughtful. We could move to another part of CH, but then we'd figured we mind as well move to Moorestown for the reasons stated above.
Cherry Hill is probably the most culturally and ethnically diverse community in the area. There are strong and growing Indian, Asian and Jewish communities. If you are looking for a community that is more "typical" then a place like Moorestown or Haddonfield or even Evesham/Marlton are going to offer you the kind of thing you are looking for in that regard. I don't think that move will necessarily "solve" your school question, but it will most likely place you in a neighborhood of people who have similar values to yours.
One thing I've noticed on this website is that Cherry Hill and Voorhees often get put down as being this soulless sprawling hell because they lack a main street or downtown area. I get it, this is city-data. I very much love having the ability to walk from my house to stores, food, and bars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavenWood
Move to Moorestown if you hate suburban sprawl and can afford the premium for access to an exceptionally charming, historic community. Don't go because you think the people/prevailing culture will be drastically different.
I just wanted to comment on the idea of "community" and the idea of a "downtown". I lived in Moorestown for a year. I'll admit that it really wasn't that much time, but I also have friends who have lived there for their entire lives and coworkers who live there as well, so I feel I have some perspective.
Downtown Moorestown is crap. People hold it up as some great community asset, but it is a virtual dead zone. When I lived there in 2008, we lived a few blocks off Main Street and spent MANY days and nights strolling along Main Street. While the walk was nice, there was NO sense of community. There was a couple of restaurants no one went to, a lot of businesses that are more or less traditional 9-5 places, the Starbucks and Pretzel Factory as well as the ice cream store tended to have some traffic, but that's it. Walk along Main Street in Moorestown at 7pm on a Friday or Saturday and it's DEAD.
Having a historic downtown, or even a downtown at all is no guarantee of having a wonderful place to stroll, hang out and soak up all the "community". Towns like Haddonfield and Collingswood have hit the right kind of mix and vibe and use their downtowns as destination areas. However, towns like that are few and far between. I honestly think towns like Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Evesham, etc. do a much better job of fostering a sense of community than Moorestown does even though Moorestown has that great asset.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJGOAT
I just wanted to comment on the idea of "community" and the idea of a "downtown". I lived in Moorestown for a year. I'll admit that it really wasn't that much time, but I also have friends who have lived there for their entire lives and coworkers who live there as well, so I feel I have some perspective.
Downtown Moorestown is crap. People hold it up as some great community asset, but it is a virtual dead zone. When I lived there in 2008, we lived a few blocks off Main Street and spent MANY days and nights strolling along Main Street. While the walk was nice, there was NO sense of community. There was a couple of restaurants no one went to, a lot of businesses that are more or less traditional 9-5 places, the Starbucks and Pretzel Factory as well as the ice cream store tended to have some traffic, but that's it. Walk along Main Street in Moorestown at 7pm on a Friday or Saturday and it's DEAD.
Having a historic downtown, or even a downtown at all is no guarantee of having a wonderful place to stroll, hang out and soak up all the "community". Towns like Haddonfield and Collingswood have hit the right kind of mix and vibe and use their downtowns as destination areas. However, towns like that are few and far between. I honestly think towns like Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Evesham, etc. do a much better job of fostering a sense of community than Moorestown does even though Moorestown has that great asset.
This is dead-on concerning Moorestown's downtown. I lived in South Jersey for over 40 years. Haddonfield is number one for a downtown. It used to be just a step up from Moorestown's. The next tier down from Haddonfield, depends on where you live. I'd say Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Marlton, Medford & Pitman. Woodbury used to have a nice downtown, but it hit the skids when the Deptford Mall opened. There's been talk of revitalizing it for years, but I don't know where that stands.
Barrington has a decent little downtown. There are some other towns with decent little downtowns, too.
I remember, years ago, someone referred to Haddonfield & Moorestown as "the dowdy sisters" It was pretty appropriate at the time. This was back when the mini mall in Haddonfield was still an A&P & across the street was a Woolworth.
It took Haddonfield many years & many permutations to get what they have now.
4. Social and emotional impact on our oldest child (will be entering 2nd grade next year) who is somewhat shy and has adjusted well. This is probably the biggest deterrent to moving.
5. Fear about moving to a new location and not finding the community we were looking for.
Your child will adjust easily at that age. I have somewhat shy children, too, and they have both been fine with the moves we have made.
You would have to spend time in the neighborhood you were considering to get a true feeling for it, and also visit the school. You will find pockets of diversity everywhere, as well as "tiger moms" at every public school. lol
Having a historic downtown, or even a downtown at all is no guarantee of having a wonderful place to stroll, hang out and soak up all the "community". Towns like Haddonfield and Collingswood have hit the right kind of mix and vibe and use their downtowns as destination areas. However, towns like that are few and far between. I honestly think towns like Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Evesham, etc. do a much better job of fostering a sense of community than Moorestown does even though Moorestown has that great asset.
You can find a sense of personal community anywhere. A lot of post-war, pre-fab communities (eg, Levittown) were/remain very tightly-knit. That doesn't change the fact that they're veritable eyesores by many people's standards. I'll take a quieter, but charming village center any day over a cluster of bustling but bland shopping centers. I've never lived in Moorestown, so I cannot personally comment on how it operates on a day-to-day basis, but friends from the area say it fosters a wonderful sense of community. Since you only lived there a year, maybe it's harder to break into that community as an outsider.
You can find a sense of personal community anywhere. A lot of post-war, pre-fab communities (eg, Levittown) were/remain very tightly-knit. That doesn't change the fact that they're veritable eyesores by many people's standards. I'll take a quieter, but charming village center any day over a cluster of bustling but bland shopping centers. I've never lived in Moorestown, so I cannot personally comment on how it operates on a day-to-day basis, but friends from the area say it fosters a wonderful sense of community. Since you only lived there a year, maybe it's harder to break into that community as an outsider.
That says a lot to me. If it takes more than a year to break into a community because you are viewed as an outsider I'm not sure that sounds like a great place to move for that same sense of community.
That says a lot to me. If it takes more than a year to break into a community because you are viewed as an outsider I'm not sure that sounds like a great place to move for that same sense of community.
true you can even commute to radnor from there. 1 bus and 1 train
Cherry Hill and Voorhees are soulless and sprawling in terms of infrastructure, but I do agree that that stands independent of the people who live in hose communities. Although there are some discrepancies regarding people who fit both areas' respective negative stereotypes (Cherry Hill/Voorhees being "flashy and tacky," and Moorestown being more "stiff and crusty"), the vast majority really are not that different from each other, especially regarding competition.
Any top-notch school district is going to have a strong competitive element. Dealing with competitive people shouldn't be such a huge concern anyway. I agree that some parents (and by extension, their kids) overdo it, but there's a simple solution to handling that small, albeit loud, minority--ignore them. And when it comes down to it, life is competitive. Best to learn how to balance work and play while you're young. I find it a bit unsettling that Cherry Hill's cultural diversity is so bothersome to the OP, but in the end, people have the right to live with/associate whom they like. If being around similarly-minded (eg white, wealthy, and more predominantly gentile) people is what they want, who am I to deny their right to have it.
Move to Moorestown if you hate suburban sprawl and can afford the premium for access to an exceptionally charming, historic community. Don't go because you think the people/prevailing culture will be drastically different.
I have to agree here as well. If you think people were competitive in CH, I was a local guidance counselor and I know Moorestown parents were known to bring attorneys at guidance consults. Perhaps you may remember the infamous "Hornstein vs. M'Town Board of Ed" situation as the father ( a Camden Co. judge) sued the school district to secure his daughter to be sole valedictorian back in 1999-2000? It was on CNN so don't expect things to get relaxed in Moorestown.
Also, you can pick a home but you just can't pick your neighbors, that has such an element of chance. I think you are planning too much on an emotional move at this point and failing to think of the downside risk you could inherit.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
23,813 posts, read 34,657,307 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GraysFerryB4
I have to agree here as well. If you think people were competitive in CH, I was a local guidance counselor and I know Moorestown parents were known to bring attorneys at guidance consults. Perhaps you may remember the infamous "Hornstein vs. M'Town Board of Ed" situation as the father ( a Camden Co. judge) sued the school district to secure his daughter to be sole valedictorian back in 1999-2000? It was on CNN so don't expect things to get relaxed in Moorestown.
Also, you can pick a home but you just can't pick your neighbors, that has such an element of chance. I think you are planning too much on an emotional move at this point and failing to think of the downside risk you could inherit.
Yup. The answer to less competitive parents is not to throw more money at housing. You are picking your neighbors, to a point, by doing that.
If the Cherry Hill neighbors are objectionable either stay in the Cherry Hill system but look at moving to the area of Erlton between 70 & Cooper River park, or look at the section of Haddonfield between Haddon Ave. & Grove St., to get a smaller school system.
Doesn't Cherry Hill let you pick either East or West now? OP, just send your kids to West if that's the case.
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