Oldmans offers quiet South Jersey living near major metro areas
Oldmans is a quiet township in South Jersey with fewer than 2,000 residents and a rural, small-town feel. It attracts people who want a slower pace of life while staying within easy driving distance of the Wilmington and Philadelphia metro areas for work, shopping or dining. Commuters appreciate the quick access to I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, as well as the chance to wind down as they return to the township’s two-lane roads at the end of the day. It’s a place where prices drop and lots get larger, but bigger towns and cities are still close enough for everyday necessities.
Explore the housing market: prices, styles and local tax advantages
If you’re looking for approachable prices, bigger lots and lower taxes, Oldmans might be the right fit. “It’s somewhere you can get some space with your property and have some room to grow with your family and spend time outside,” says Christy Myers, a local Realtor with American Dream Realty of South Jersey who lives in the township. “You have houses that have farmland, and you have houses that have small farmettes where you can maybe have a nice garden or horses.”
Most home prices here fall between the lower $200,000s and the mid-$500,000s. That includes classic Cape Cod, split-level and ranch-style homes on private, tree-lined lots. Some newer builds from the 2020s are popping up, and those tend to be more expensive, usually priced from the lower $600,000s to the mid-$800,000s. Another perk is that Oldmans has one of the lowest general tax rates in Salem County, well below those in Penns Grove and Salem .
A quick overview of the public schools serving Oldmans Township
Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can attend the highly rated Oldmans Township School. From there, high schoolers head to either Woodstown High School or Penns Grove High School through a sending-receiving relationship. Both high schools partner with Salem County Career & Technical High School to offer vo-tech academies: Woodstown hosts the Communications and Finance & Business Academies, and Penns Grove hosts the Engineering & Technology Academy.
Central to Philadelphia and Wilmington, with easy highway access
One of the biggest perks of living here is the easy access to the Philadelphia and Wilmington metro areas. "You have your peace and quiet here, but when you want the excitement and the restaurants, you travel to those things," Myers says. Commuters can hop on I-295 and make the 32-mile drive to Philly in about 30 to 60 minutes, or head 15 miles into Wilmington in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Suburbs like Cherry Hill are also close by, and the New Jersey Turnpike provides another convenient route through South Jersey. The township’s central location has brought jobs closer to home, too, with a few warehouses and distribution centers moving in. Nearby Carneys Point , Logan and Swedesboro have also grown into industrial hubs.
Outdoor fun ranges from family-friendly parks to riverfront spots
There are a few places to get outside and explore the township’s natural surroundings. Outdoor fun ranges from quiet trails to Delaware River hubs, including:
- Salem County Recreation Park, which has a playground and athletic fields
- Oldman’s Creek Preserve, with nature trails and a dock for canoes and kayaks
- Carney’s Point Township Recreation Complex, a nearby hub for youth sports
- Riverview Beach Park, known for its fishing spots and pickleball courts
- Gloucester County Dog Park, with separate areas for small and large dogs
Small-town staples in Oldmans, plus bigger retail options nearby
Oldmans has a quiet little town center with a post office, a couple of churches and a few small town businesses. You can browse handmade gifts and décor at Heart Felt Designs Country Shop or grab Puerto Rican comfort food at El Paladar Boricua. Oldmans is one of South Jersey’s few remaining dry towns, but you can still sip local wines at Salem Oak Vineyards and purchase alcohol in Carneys Point Township, less than 5 miles west. There aren't any big stores in town, but Myers says that's part of the appeal here. "We don't have those things right here, but sometimes you pick to live here because you don't need to live near those things," she explains. Nearby communities offer plenty of shopping and dining, including:
- ACME Markets, less than 10 miles away and the closest major grocery store
- The Shops at Pennsville, featuring a Dollar Tree and Harbor Freight
- Christiana Mall, anchored by department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom
- Downtown Swedesboro, with local spots like Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
