Suburbia with access to the Delaware River and the New Jersey Turnpike
Burlington Township may be where the well-known department store Burlington Coat Factory originated in 1972, but today it’s recognized for much more than that. “You have access to the waterways, and it’s very easy to get in and out on Interstate 295 and the Turnpike right there,” says Giulio Leone, a Realtor with HomeSmart. “Burlington has everything that city life has, but you’re outside the city living in the suburbs.” This township, nestled between Philadelphia and Trenton, occupies a lot of space. Its northern shores hug the Delaware River, and subdivisions are surrounded by retail corridors. Commuters can easily hop onto the interstate and the New Jersey Turnpike, which run parallel through the township's south side, but the community still maintains a residential atmosphere. Leone points out that many people are leaving Philadelphia and New York City to come to Burlington Township because they get a lot more space than they would in the city. “And the further you go away from Burlington, the more rural it gets," Leone says.
Cozy Cape Cods and spacious colonials
Sidewalks and shady trees line residential areas throughout Burlington Township, where many single-family homes from the mid-1900s sit on quarter-acre lots. Housing styles vary, but the most common are colonial, Cape Cod, ranch and New Traditional, with several homes also featuring attached garages and driveways. These houses range from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet and are typically priced from $225,000 to $725,000 for homes with larger yards and more garage space. There are also brick condos and Victorian townhomes available, some recently renovated, that can cost anywhere from $130,000 to $330,000.
Commuting convenience via New Jersey Transit trains
The major highways that pass through Burlington Township are the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 130. “295 has most of the exits for commuters, and the Turnpike is good for further travel or cutting right through the state,” Leone says. Philadelphia is 25 miles away via the interstate, and residents can get to New York City in about an hour and a half. With the New Jersey Transit River Line that runs every half hour, commuters can also take the train from Burlington directly into New York or Philadelphia. "It’s the best way to get into the city,” Leone says. There are also several New Jersey Transit bus stops throughout the township.
Retail on Mt. Holly Road and Burlington Pike
Mt. Holly Road and Burlington Pike are the township’s main commercial thoroughfares, with several restaurants and shopping areas. On the west side is Golden Dawn Diner, a casual spot known for its large portions. Conveniently located nearby are ACME Markets for groceries and the highly rated Virtua Willingboro Hospital. Farther east down the pike is Blue Claw, a seafood restaurant with an eclectic crab-themed interior, and Fratelli’s, which offers Italian fare and white-tablecloth service. Mt. Holly Road features a ShopRite grocery and big-boxstores like Walmart and Target.
Burlington Township School District
Students in Burlington Township usually begin with an 8-1 student-teacher ratio at B. Bernice Young Elementary, a pre-kindergarten through first-grade school with a B Niche grade. Fountain Woods Elementary, which receives a B-minus, serves second through fifth graders. Students can then attend Burlington Township Middle, graded a B, before progressing to Burlington Township High, which Niche grades a B-plus and ranks among the best public high schools in New Jersey.
Gatherings and green space at Green Acres Park
The park system in Burlington Township primarily consists of Green Acres Park, which has three locations surrounding the municipal building. “They kind of blend together,” says Dianne Flannery, the recreation director. “Green Acres I has a bridge that leads into Green Acres II, and across Sylvan Lake is Green Acres IV.” Between Green Acres I and II is Veterans Memorial Park, which features an Air Force jet, an Army tank and a Marines helicopter. Flannery notes that these parks are mainly used for picnics and weekend get-togethers, and a lot of organized sports teams play on the fields and courts. “We hold a fishing derby every year in September at Sylvan Lake,” she adds. “It’s a nice setup and more accessible for the kids compared to the lake in Burlington City.” Smaller neighborhood parks throughout Burlington Township include Pinewald Park, with its colorful playground and roller hockey court, and Lagorce Square Park, where the water tower stands tall above two basketball courts. Assiscunk Creek Park offers a walking trail and a small fishing pond.
Summer days on the Delaware River
For those with boats and Jet Skis, there are a few marinas in the Burlington area.“There are restaurants on the water where they can dock and get drinks and food, like Curtin’s Wharf," Leone says. This seasonal restaurant, open during the summer, also offers live music. The marinas along Philadelphia's Center City are also popular destinations. "Boaters can get on the Delaware and go all the way to Penn’s Landing,” Leone says. Another water route follows the Rancocas River, which runs all the way through Burlington and up to Hainesport. “People ride their boats out there on the weekends," he adds.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Alec Oswald
