Gloucester Township

Commuters who leave behind the hustle and bustle of downtown Philadelphia and cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to New Jersey, may find themselves relaxing as they get close to the Erial neighborhood in Gloucester Township. Although very much a suburban neighborhood, the community almost feels rural as one drives past lakes and ponds, green spaces and groves of woodlands. The growing community attracts attention for its convenient location, shopping and hometown appeal. “One of the best things about Erial is that it’s very clean. People take a lot of pride living here,” says Mark Buri, manager of Ed’s Rental and Tools, Inc., located in Erial. “The parks are really nice and there are a lot of good sports opportunities for kids. Both the police and the fire departments are very involved in the community, and they do a lot of outreach. People feel safe here.” The first homes in Erial were built in the 1970s. Those original houses include Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. In later years, split-levels and colonial homes became popular. Today, one also finds Craftsman and custom builds here. Most homes sit on generous lots with private driveways. Dog walkers and joggers share friendly waves as they pass on sidewalks. Properties on the water are even larger, some offering private backyard beaches. Home prices in Erial can vary from $205,000 to around $700,000. Children may begin their schooling at Erial Elementary, which teaches kindergarten through fifth grade students and has a C-plus rating from Niche. Ann A. Mullen Middle School has a C-plus rating. Timber Creek Regional High School holds a B rating. The school has a strong athletics program and the football team went 9-1 in 2023. In May 2024, three former Timber Creek football players were drafted to play for NFL teams. Nearby Camden County College is a community college with associate degree programs and workforce training that focus on advanced technology programs. Gloucester Township Community Park is a 62-acre green space just outside Erial. It is home to both grass and astroturf sports fields used by local leagues. Kids can play on the big playground when they’re not playing soccer, baseball or softball, kids can play on the big playground. Other features include tennis and basketball courts and a walking trail. Hikers can get their cardio following the path through the dense woods of the Camden County College Trailhead. Erial Little League is a nonprofit baseball and softball organization in the community. Over the years, the establishment has produced District Champions in every age group. “There’s a lot of good sports opportunities for kids. Baseball and football are really big here,” says Buri. “It’s definitely a Friday-night-lights kind of town.” Pine Valley Golf Club is a members-only golf course in Erial. It has been voted the No. 1 golf course in the U.S. five times. Residents can pick up most of their shopping needs along Berlin – Cross Keys Road. The busy thoroughfare has several large shopping centers with big-box retailers like Target, Hobby Lobby and more. There are also several grocery stores, including an Aldi and Acme. Just 3 miles from Erial, the Gloucester Premium Outlets has nearly 80 merchants and restaurants, including Guess and Banana Republic. While most national chain restaurants have stores in Erial, there are also local spots. Cinder Bar is a favorite for many, where residents can hang out over a beer and pizza while enjoying music from local artists. Embrace is a southern cooking restaurant featuring downhome dishes like collard greens and lollipop lamb chops. Creanies is a family-run ice cream shop with walk-up windows and a drive-thru that makes it an ideal spot for cone or a sundae. Our Lady of Hope Parish in Gloucester Township holds its annual parish carnival in May. The three-day event features fun, carnival rides and games, a food court and a beer garden. In June the community celebrates Gloucester Township Day at Veterans Memorial Park. The event features rides, games, music and good food. Erial is about 18 miles from Center City, Philadelphia. Philadelphia International Airport is 16 miles away. Atlantic City is a 45-mile drive via the Atlantic City Expressway. Bus service is available to all locations. This is a car-dependent town.