Hammonton

Neighbored by the Mullica River and New Jersey Pinelands, the rural community of Nesco – part of both Hammonton and Mullica Township – offers its residents an opportunity to enjoy seclusion and serenity while remaining within miles of urban cities such as Atlantic City and Philadelphia. “When it comes to Nesco, the first thing that comes to mind is the woods,” says Dan Boddy, Realtor with Century 21 Frick Realtors and longtime resident of the area. “You have the Pine Barrens right there, along with the Wharton State Forest – there’s a real ‘untouched’ feel to it.” Even amongst its sparse-suburban neighbors, Nesco stands out for providing a rural lifestyle that allows residents to feel a part of the Pinelands. Housing in Nesco reflects the rural, old-school atmosphere of the area in general. Traditional homes – such as ranch styles, national styles and farmhouses – are found throughout the neighborhood, though the area is small enough that houses in Nesco aren’t exactly plentiful. “There’s not a ton of people or business out there, in general,” says Boddy. “But those who live there really do enjoy the peace and quiet, along with the privacy.” It’s not uncommon to find homes that come with their own farms, as many homes in Nesco come with at least modest acreage. Prices range from $240,000 to $400,000, with homes on the higher end generally coming with more land. Students in Nesco can begin at Mullica Township Primary School, which serves kindergarten through fourth grade and earns a Niche score of C-plus. Mullica Township Middle School, located on the same campus as the primary school, also earns a score of C-plus. Students can finish up at A-rated Cedar Creek High School, where they can participate in magnet programs in topics such as engineering, biology, environmental science and more. Despite the feeling of seclusion that Nesco offers, the area still provides easy access to nearby amenities and urban centers. Getting to Atlantic City – which sits just over 30 miles away – is as simple as hopping onto U.S. Route 40 or the Atlantic City Expressway. Residents can also utilize the nearby highway access to get to Hammonton’s Amtrak station, making travel to Philadelphia or even New York City a straightforward task. “You’re about 20 minutes to Hammonton and it’s shops,” says Boddy. “And you’re only about 40 minutes from Atlantic City and everything that offers, so it’s really not as far out as it feels.” Though residents may be able to pick up fresh produce or eggs at nearby farmstands, Hammonton’s ShopRite meets the majority of their shopping needs. Residents can also stop by Bagliani’s Italian Market for a selection of Italian groceries, cold cuts and prepared meals. Rocco’s Town House is known for its casual comfort food and drinks, while Illiano’s is locally renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine. Nearby Sweetwater Marina and Riverdeck is one of the most popular places in the area for grabbing drinks and dinner and allows visitors to make their way to the community hotspot via boat or car. Hammonton is also home to the area’s major retail options, including Walmart, Target and Costco. For a more vintage retail experience, residents can head to downtown Hammonton’s Antique Marketplace on 12th Street. Beyond being a popular restaurant (and music/wedding venue), the Sweetwater Marina and Riverdeck also allows boaters easy access to the Mullica River for a $12 fee. Just across the river is the New Jersey Pine Barrens, allowing for scenic canoe rides down the unspoiled riverbanks. Wharton State Forest is the largest forest in New Jersey and offers visitors plenty of trails to walk and hike along. Local history occurred at the Indian Cabin Mill Inn, where fugitive Joe Mulliner – known as the “Robin Hood of the Pines” and for never targeting the poor – surrendered to the authorities, which is marked by a historic plaque. Nearby Batsto Village is another historic site and features a four-mile walking path around the perimeter of Batsto Village Lake. Hammonton is locally referred to as “Blueberry Capital of the World,” and its’ Red, White and Blueberry Festival celebrates the official state fruit with live music, local vendors, rides and food. Closer to home, motorbike enthusiasts flock to the Nesco Vintage Dirt/Street Bike Show & Swapmeet – where visitors can enter shows and even take their rides out onto the dirt bike track.