A riverfront township in South Jersey
Tucked amongst the banks of the Delaware River is Florence Township, a serene river town in Burlington County. “It has a small town vibe. People are friendly and everyone looks out for each other,” says Joseph Bongiorno, a local Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Maturo, who has nearly 10 years of experience in the industry. The township comprises multiple communities, like the former factory town Roebling and the community of Florence. While quaint streets with historic riverfront homes and newer subdivisions with traditional style homes are scattered around, sections of town are heavily industrial, with big-name distribution centers ranging from Amazon to BJ’s Wholesale to Express Scripts. Just outside the township's borders are the headquarters and distribution center for Burlington Coat Factory, which serves as one of the community’s largest employers.
Uniform and eclectic streets
In Roebling, various architectural styles are scattered throughout the community. Along Riverside Avenue, stately colonials sit next to twin duplexes. Further inland, rowhomes and bungalows make up most of the landscape. To the east, housing styles are less uniform, with a mix of Cape Cods, colonials, Split-Levels and ranch-style homes. Prices for these typically range from the low $200,000s to the mid $500,000s. “One of the biggest draws to the area is that property taxes are lower than surrounding towns,” Bongiorno says. South of U.S. Route 130, newer subdivisions with larger traditional homes feature the most expensive properties in town, with sales prices reaching into the mid $800,000s. Condominiums and townhouse communities priced between the low $100,000s to the upper $300,000s are clustered along Florence Columbus Road.
Walks to school
The Florence Township School District serves the community and scores average ratings on Niche. Prekindergarten through third-grade students may attend the C-rated Roebling Elementary School. Fourth through eighth-grade students attend the Florence Riverfront School, which scores a C-plus. Ninth through 12th grade students earn their diplomas from Florence Township Memorial High School. In addition to a B-minus rating on Niche, high school students can opt to participate in Advanced Placement courses that range from calculus to music theory.
Commutes on Interstate 95
Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 130 run directly through town. Center City Philadelphia is about a 30 mile drive on either Interstate 295 or 95, while Trenton is about 15 miles away. The NJ Transit River Line has two stops in town- Florence and Roebling Station. Commuters can take the train about an hour to Camden, then take the PATCO train or bus over the river to Philadelphia. Bus service is also available throughout the township, with stops along East Front Street, Delaware and Hornberger Avenue. Other nearby establishments include Lower Bucks Hospital, Virtua Willingboro Hospital and Trenton-Mercer Airport.
Waterfront retreats at the park
Many waterfront parks are found along the Delaware River’s banks. Roebling Park is the largest waterfront park, where vast green fields await for afternoon picnics. Other amenities include a quaint gazebo with a bright red roof, a playground with a swing set, and a basketball court. It’s also a popular spot for sunset walks along the river. Next door, furry friends can play a game of catch at the only dog park in town. Further east, anglers and boaters can enjoy a day on the water at Volunteer’s Park. A walk down West Front Street leads to Kenneth Wilkie Memorial River’s Edge Park, which features a tennis court and canopied walkways. The Florence Township Municipal Complex offers several sports facilities, including a playground, where kids can play through local leagues.
Local shops and restaurants
Locals can enjoy a slice of pizza from Rocco’s, a family-run Italian restaurant serving the community since 1975, while other Italian joints like Palermo’s II are nearby. “Both spots have great pizza, but it’s also the type of atmosphere that when you walk in, everyone knows who you are,” Bongiorno says. Vinny G’ Bagels and Deli is the go-to stop for bagels and subs, and Subculture Artisan Ales is the local watering hole for a drink after work. Hot summer days lead to evenings on the patio with an ice cream in hand at Debbie’s Snack Shop. “Debbie’s is across from the boat ramp where there’s benches and a gazebo. So, it’s common for kids and families to grab their ice cream and head across the street to watch the boats go by,” Bongiorno says. Other local shops include Florence Hardware for DIY projects and Roebling Town Market IGA for last-minute groceries. “The market is small, so it’s where you go if you only need a couple things, otherwise there’s a ShopRite and ACME Markets within 5 miles,” Bongiorno says. Locals can also head to neighboring Burlington Township for big box stores like Target and Walmart Supercenter.
Community events in Florence
Although Florence Township has less than 15,000 residents, the community holds an annual Patriotic Celebration Day around Independence Day weekend. Festivities include a parade in the morning, with live music, food and fireworks in the evening. However, the Roebling Carnival marks the start of summer. For four days, locals can head to Nyikita Field for an evening filled with games, rides, food trucks and fun. Other attractions include the Roebling Museum, which highlights the community’s origins as a factory town built by John A. Roebling’s Sons Company.
Photography Contributed By
Carmen Gerace
