Marlton, Mt. Laurel vs. Cherry Hill (Camden, Atlantic City: sale, real estate, condo)

[philsphan08]

Hello, my wife and newborn currently live in a condo in Cherry Hill which we own. We are looking to sell it and buy a bigger place, either a townhouse or single family, with at least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and I wanted to see if I could get some advice. We love it in Cherry Hill, and have looked at single family homes in the area. However, now with childcare expenses to pay, I'm realizing it may be out of our price range to buy in Cherry Hill.

My realtor is suggesting Marlton and Mount Laurel. At first, I wasn't open to these locations because it would be a further commute for me to PATCO, but now I am seriously considering these areas. However, I don't know very much about them, and was wondering if anyone had an advice.

I know the schools are very good in Cherry Hill - how do the schools in Marlton and Mount Laurel compare? Also, I have heard property taxes would be lower in Burlington County compared to Camden County. Are sale prices lower too? I feel Cherry Hill is a safe area - are Marlton and Mount Laurel just as safe?

Some of the real estate listings I have received my my realtor are for Stonegate, Madison Place, Barton Run, Kings Grant, Forest Glen. Any recommendations? We are looking for a quiet area that's convenient, near childcare, shopping, etc.

Our price range is between $200-250K.

Thanks for reading.

[NatasNJ]

Can't you find a place in Collingswood/Haddon Twp that would fit for you? Super close to PATCO, childcare and stores nearby. Find a row home or something in that price range. Just an option.

[philsphan08]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about the Haddon Township/Collingswood area. I wouldn't say I've ruled it out, but that area just doesn't seem as nice to me as Cherry Hill/Marlton/Mount Laurel. I've heard the schools are not as good. Also, it's still Camden County, so I would assume taxes would be higher than Burlington County. While I do use PATCO, I'm not looking for a place right next to the train tracks.

[MoorestownResident]

Can't make blanket statements like that. Either Marlton or Mount Laurel would be great choices. Taxes in Marlton are high, Mount Laurel taxes more reasonable. Schools are great in all areas, I assume you know Cherry Hill East is higher regarded than CH West. Patco is reasonable from ML or Marlton, you can get to Woodcrest Station on 295 easily, I take it everyday from Moorestown.

From what you are saying you should not consider Kings Grant, nice community in a great area but not real convenient to shopping or 295. Stonegate in Mount Laurel is a nice community. I do not recommend Madison Place, that community is going downhill.

[JerzBoy]

Stonegate in Mount Laurel is a very nice community - I live in the subdivision next to it. Schools are good, taxes are reasonable compared to CH, very safe.

You can get to the Woodcrest PATCO station in 15min via Elbo Ln, Church St, Gaither Dr, Fellowship Rd, 73, to 295S. I do that route most mornings and rarely hit traffic barring an accident on 295.

[tarp]

Don't overlook Gloucester Twp. and the other areas south of Cherry Hill. Voorhees is nice (but expensive) and Deptford is also a great family oriented area. I got much more house for my money in Gloucester Twp (Chews Landing area, it has a Laurel Springs/Clementon address but is not part of those towns). than I would have in Cherry Hill, and the commute to Philadelphia is excellent using Route 42. Blackwood is a town that is entirely in Gloucester Township. The Glendora area is an older part, more blue-collar. A nice townhouse subdivision is Valleybrook, off Little Gloucester Road. There are really nicer single family subdivisions off Somerdale Road south of White Horse Pike (once you leave the Borough of Somerdale it becomes Gloucester Township). Access to Route 42/I-76 is excellent; from my house, I can be at the Walt Whitman bridge in under 15 minutes. Even in rush hour I am in Center City in 45 minutes tops. None of the mess that is Route 70 in Cherry Hill. Route 70 has stoplights, Route 42/I-76 does not. Outside of rush hour it's 30 mins from door to door for me (Gloucester Twp to University City via the Walt Whitman Bridge). The PATCO at Lindenwold or Ashland is 10 minutes away. The Gloucester Twp. area has lots of rivers, ponds and woods. Access to the shore is better as well, the Atlantic City Expressway is right here. Cherry Hill does have more diversity with lots of Jews, Asians, and Indians. Gloucester Township is pretty white by comparison. I just drive 10 mins to Eagle Plaza in Voorhees or to Woodcrest when I want decent ethnic restaurants and groceries. Actually there plenty of good ethnic places on White Horse Pike that cover most of my bases. I am something of a foodie, but this is probably a non-issue for most people. We have plenty of Italian places around here, and of course Shop Rite. There are a lot of older towns around here off White Horse Pike like Somerdale, Stratford, Clementon, and nearby towns like Pine Hill, and off Black Horse Pike like Runnemede and Bellmawr. Most of these towns are more blue collar. There are gorgeous old houses with large lots in Clementon and Lindenwold but the school systems in those areas leave something to be desired from my understanding. Really nice homes can be had for under $150k in some of these areas, worth a look if you're on a budget, but be careful to look into the schools. Most single families houses range $250k to $350k in Gloucester Township. PM me if you have any questions.

[dhanu86]

I'd prefer Marlton over those other two but I don't know if u can get anything descent for that price. I think tarp has good advice. Gloucester twp has cheaper homes and the area is more open as well, depending on where you work its also a close commute over the Walt Whitman bridge.

[FromGA]

I was considering Cherry Hill as an option to move. But I dont like high property taxes (partly because, unlike income tax, it continues to hit you even when your income goes down). So considering Mt. Laurel.

(1) Is there a significant difference in property tax between the two areas?

(2) What is the price range for good housing (solid, but not for show) in Mt Laurel? How much will the property tax be?

(3) Stonegate in Mt Laurel mentioned in this thread -- what street is this on, and what is a street inside this area.

Thanks!

[FromGA]

In addition to questions just asked, two more:

(4) What is the significant difference between Mt Laurel and Marlton?

(5) Which is the high school(s) that Mt Laurel feeds to? I believe Mt Laurel township school dt does not have a high school, and feeds to Lenape. Does it some times feed into Cherry Hill East as well (seems like I noticed something to that effect somewhere..)

Thank in advance!

[GoPhils]

Most of NJ has high property taxes...not sure if Mt. Laurel would be much different than Cherry Hill. Mt. Laurel, Marlton and Cherry Hill are all very nice areas with good schools. Lenape covers most (possibly all) of Mt. Laurel, but is still a good school (not as good as Cherry Hill East but still good).