Pine barren peace and quiet in Estell Manor
Estell Manor is a South Jersey city in the trees. More specifically, it’s a city in the Pinelands National Reserve. Pine barrens define the skyline rather than skyscrapers, canopying country roads, remote cabins and expansive recreation and wildlife management areas that bend along the Great Egg Harbor River as it snakes toward the bays and barrier islands of the South Shore. Although the busy highways connecting Philadelphia to Atlantic County’s shore towns aren’t too far from home, Estell Manor draws those attracted to a lifestyle where the sounds of birdsong, the rush of tidal rivers and the wind through the trees replace city noise and crowded beaches. “Estell Manor is set off to itself. A lot of people buy there to have P and Q – you know, peace and quiet,” says Elisa Eagan, a Realtor with Balsley Losco who specializes in Atlantic and Cape May counties. “There’s no city water, no sewer, it’s all wells and septic. There's a lifestyle as far as you can get off the grid while still having your modern conveniences.”
Expansive Atlantic County parks and WMAs
A scenic cedar swamp shades two miles of boardwalk paths at Estell Manor Park. Across more than 1,700 acres of the Atlantic County Park, visitors can also take dozens of miles of hiking and biking paths past forested ruins, fish and boat on the Great Egg Harbor River or check out the exhibits at Warren E. Fox Nature Center. The park also offers more typical community park amenities, such as a playground and athletic fields. Tens of thousands of acres of salt marshes, woodlands and waterways are open for hunting, fishing, boating and trail exploration between the Tuckahoe, Gibson Creek, Peaslee and Tuckahoe wildlife management areas. Ocean City is the nearest Atlantic Ocean beach, roughly 20 miles from home.
Custom homes on acreage in the forest
Many of the single-family homes in Estell Manor were custom-built for residents looking to create a woodsy getaway. As a result, buyers can find everything from bare-bones cabins to classic ranch-style and colonial houses to sprawling New Traditional construction hiding away in the trees. Regardless of style, very few homes that come on the market are set on less than five acres of land. Buyers can expect to maintain their own wells and septic systems rather than pay for municipal water and sewage services. Prices range from around $120,000 to $580,000. Eagan reflects on the increase in Port Republic’s housing costs and desirability over the years: “The home I bought 39 years ago for $59,900 just resold for $500,000. ...Back in the day, when you lived in the woods, it was very cheap; you had to live off the land, they were basically giving stuff away. They’re not anymore; it’s a higher price. The value is higher for people who want to be really left alone. ‘God doesn’t make any more land,’ you know?”
Attending Estell Manor and Buena Regional schools
Estell Manor School is the only school in the Estell Manor School District and earns a C-plus from Niche. After eighth grade, students can attend C-plus-rated Buena Regional High School through a sending relationship with Buena Regional School District. High schoolers have dual enrollment credit opportunities through institutions like Atlantic Cape Community College.
Rural mom and pops and shopping in Hamilton Township
Very few businesses operate in Estell Manor. For fresh flowers and locally grown mushrooms, residents can drop by Faith Flower Farm. Root Cellar Tavern is located just outside the city, offering a casual spot to grab a drink, enjoy pub fare, and play pool. Mays Landing is less than 10 miles away, home to a quiet, walkable business district. For big-box and grocery shopping, residents drive closer to 15 miles to chains like Walmart, Target and Aldi in Hamilton Township.
Driving to South Jersey commuter hubs
Atlantic City, and its major AtlantiCare healthcare and casino employers, are about 30 miles away from Estell Manor. Inspira Medical Center Vineland is the nearest hospital, nearly 20 miles from home. Atlantic City International Airport is also a roughly 20-mile drive.
Events at Estell Manor Park and the Head of the River
The Atlantic County Friends of the Parks organization hosts programs at Estell Manor Park throughout the year, from wildlife identification workshops to Plein Air Day, when artists paint the park for a chance to win an award at the Atlantic County Parks Annual Art Show. A few small churches hold services throughout Estell Manor. The Head of the River Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1792. Although it doesn’t offer weekly worship, locals look forward to an annual religious service and picnic on the historic grounds each fall.
Reducing fire risk in Estell Manor’s pines
Deep in the pine barrens, Estell Manor is at slightly elevated wildfire risk, especially during dry conditions. Homeowners should adhere to the safety principles for vegetation management and housing construction provided by the city and the National Fire Protection Association to protect the pinelands and their property.
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Written By
Julia Szymanski
