Where in NJ should I move to?

June 15, 2007 10:04 AM

I plan on moving to NJ. Collingswood seems like the best option, are there others?

I am planning on moving to NJ (for good reasons that I don't wish to discuss). I currently live in Philly and work in NE Philly. I rely on public transit and have no plans of owning an automobile. Where in NJ can I live that has the following:

* grocery store that is accessible by foot and/or bicycle. Preferably one like Whole Foods.
* Farmer's markets that are also accessible by food/bicycle.
*activities that are inexpensive and not kid oriented like museums.
* 1 br apartments within $1,200 that are located close to train station (upto 20 min walk).
* diverse (racially)

The commute to either the patco station or Market east station from my location should take about 30 - 40 minutes.

Thank you.

posted by bkpr to society & culture (6 comments total)

I'd look into Haddonfield/Haddon Heights. The PATCO line is in Haddonfield. They're just nicer towns with Very Nice downtowns. The cost won't be that much greater, and Collingswood seems rather rundown in the downtown (I know it's gentrifying, but it's still rather shabby.) It also has more Camden spillover crime than just a couple towns in. Collingswood isn't unsafe, but it's less secure than Haddonfield, Haddon Heights and maybe even Audubon.

Check it, but the Acme in Audubon should fit within your bike trip limits if you go to Haddonfield/Haddon Heights.

I'm sure you'd be very happy in Collingswood, but you should take a look at my suggestions anyway. At least go to downtown Haddon Heights and see it for yourself. Lovely.
posted by Mayor Curley at 10:22 AM on June 15, 2007

I grew up in Cherry Hill. I agree that Haddonfield would probably be pretty good.
posted by ludwig_van at 10:56 AM on June 15, 2007

I grew up in Cherry Hill and lived in Collingswood for several years while commuting to Philly. I LOVED it and never had a problem there with crime. Well, I did have my car radio stolen, but that's happened elsewhere, not just in Collingswood.

Of course, the PATCO station is right there. People were very friendly, Cooper River was beautiful and so was the town park. I liked being able to walk / bike downtown to the library and shops. The Farmer's Market now I hear is very good.

While Haddonfield / Haddon Heights may be a prettier area overall, it is a little more expensive, if I'm not mistaken.

I live out west now, but if I ever had to move back to Joisey, Collingswood would be where I would live.
posted by HeyAllie at 11:19 AM on June 15, 2007

If you're not absolutely locked into South Jersey for some reasons, have you considered going the same distance west? I'm thinking Wayne, PA. Farmers Market, Whole Foods, the R5 line running express trains into Philly, Villanova down the road, Valley Forge Park to play in, night classes everywhere, bars and restaurants galore, coffee shops every 50 yards.

But the diversity thing ... not so much.
posted by lpsguy at 12:05 PM on June 15, 2007

I recently moved to Haddon Township, NJ. Compared to other places I lived (New Brunswick NJ, Northern NJ too), I really like it here. I found my place through the Courier-Post Classifieds. I also know a good realtor who might be able to help.

Geographically, it's smack in the middle of Collingswood and Haddonfield. It's a little more residential compared to Collingswood, but only slightly so. Once you get two or three blocks away from Haddon Ave (the main thoroughfare in Colls/Haddon), the residential areas are exactly the same. I pay a little over $1100 for a huge 2 bedroom apartment with heat included, parking for 3 cars, a garage, decent sized backyard, porch, 3 minutes walking to a few bars, and 5 minutes walking to the PATCO. From the PATCO, I get to Center City in 15 minutes. It's great, really. I love the PATCO. I've ridden 20 or 30 public transit systems all over the world, and PATCO is incredibly well run.

Collingswood looks to be a great place for a person to live, provided they're willing to put up with a 15 minute train commute to go to any 'decent' bars. Shopping is limited compared to the city, but if you're resourceful you can handle it. There are shopping centers located a mile from both Collingswood and Haddon Township centers. It's walkable, if you're not buying 500 pounds of food. I see people biking to the Acme in Haddon Township all the time. Between the Acme/Superfresh and the farmer's market, you could easily live without a car.

There are coffee shops, restaurants, and whatnot all right on the main drag. The Pop Shop is my favorite restaurant in the area, and their grilled cheese sandwiches can't be beat. Not quite sure what you mean by kid-oriented activities, but my fiance and I head into Philly quite often to enjoy ourselves. There are some things going on, but it's really a suburb, so the options can be limited. If you want to have all your fun outside of Philly, I think you'll get bored pretty quickly.

I've walked and biked from where I live in Haddon Township to both Haddonfield and Collingswood centers, and it's a breeze.

As for diversity, I see all types of people. Collingswood is a little more socioeconomically diverse than other Camden County towns, but not significantly so.

I feel that Haddonfield is rather overpriced. Apartments I looked at in Haddonfield were 1.5x more expensive than in Collingswood and Haddon Township. The stores in the Haddonfield town center are more 'precious' than usable. I did get my lady's engagement ring refurbished in Haddonfield, but the town has got a snooty vibe that makes me want to leave after anything more than dinner and a water ice. Picturesque, but not someplace I'd like to spend my time. Also, beware the gangs of annoying, rich, entitled-feeling children. I would not have been happy living there. I feel that from your question, you wouldn't either.

Forget Haddon Heights. It's not transit accessible, except by a bus that really doesn't run that often.

In summation, look at Collingswood, don't discount Haddon Township, especially the Westmont section. I love where I am, and I plan to stay for as long as I have a job in Philly. We have better access here to Center City than most other parts of Philadelphia proper. There's quite a lot to be said for that. It's low crime, people are generally friendly, and you have enough space that you don't begin to hate living so close to people as the summers start to heat up.

PS: There's a few for rent signs in my neighborhood that might be in your price range. Feel free to email in the profile, and I can give you the info.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 12:39 PM on June 15, 2007

Oh, also, my mother is a realtor in south jersey, if you need one. I've never bought a house from her, but she seems pretty good at it. My e-mail's in my profile.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:33 PM on June 15, 2007