Palmyra is a riverside suburb with a small-town feel
Palmyra is a New Jersey borough, close enough to Philadelphia that the skyline is visible across the Delaware River. Access to the River Line Light Rail makes this suburban community popular with commuters, and the older homes have relatively lower prices. When asked what makes Palmyra unique, Patti Blosfelds, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, says: “The small-town feeling. It’s very community-based, the walkability of it, [and] it's close to Philadelphia.”
Palmyra and the nearby borough of Riverton offer joint amenities like youth sports teams and holiday parades, but there's not much big-city activity here. “I just loved growing up in the town because we knew everybody and we looked out for each other,” Blosfelds says, adding that it still feels that way today.
Older homes offer lower price points and historic charm
Most homes in Palmyra were built between the late 1800s and the 1950s. As a result, the area’s architecture has an old-school charm, from modest bungalows to the stately symmetry of Colonial Revival designs. Streets are lined with trees, and many homes have detached back garages. The median home price in Palmyra is $320,000, which is lower than the median in nearby Cinnaminson and Riverton. “We are still considered a first-time homebuyer town,” Blosfelds says. “But you also have to appreciate and understand old homes —that they do require care, but you'll get a lot of charm and character.”
Properties in need of renovation can start at around $210,000, and newly updated builds can reach $600,000. Older condo units begin around $150,000, but new condominiums along the river can get up to $390,000. First Street ranks the borough’s flood risk as moderate, especially along the river’s edge.
Riverside parks have walking trails and a nature center
Palmyra Promenade Park has picnic tables on the banks of the Delaware River. “Along the river is a beautiful walk,” Blosfelds says. “It’s just a great place to sit and relax.” She also notes that the waterside Palmyra Cove Nature Park is a hidden gem in the area. In addition to 250 acres of walking trails, the park’s nature center offers educational exhibits and outdoor summer camps. “It’s just a beautiful area — you can see Philadelphia from there,” Blosfelds says. “It’s a great place to take kids, and it’s right here in our backyard.”
Off the water, it’s common to see the kids of Palmyra Riverton Soccer Club practicing at the Legion Field Complex. The borough’s main sports complex features a turf soccer field, as well as tennis courts, ball fields and a grass football field.
Renovations at Palmyra schools include a new gym
Public school childcare is offered at Palmyra Preschool. Older kids move on to Charles Street School, which earns a B-minus on Niche. Located in the same building, Palmyra Middle receives a C-plus, and Palmyra High School gets a B. The district embarked on an $18.4 million renovation project in 2024, which included the construction of a new auxiliary gym at the high school and interior building updates.
Homemade Italian food and familiar faces at a neighborhood bar
A small downtown area along Broad Street has a few businesses, including Wawa and 5West Pub & Restaurant, which has trivia nights and live music. Blosfelds says Park Tavern is another popular neighborhood bar that “has been around forever. [It’s] a fun watering hole, just to hang out and see friends — people you grew up with, basically.” Another local favorite is Georgetti’s Pasta & Sauce, which makes from-scratch Italian meals, ready to heat and eat at home. Within 6 miles, Burlington Pike is lined with larger shopping options, including ShopRite, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Target.
Events and celebrations combine with the nearby borough of Riverton
Borough Park is the central spot for holiday events, including an Easter egg hunt and a Juneteenth celebration. Just down the street, the Palmyra Community Center has an indoor basketball court and social events. According to Blosfelds, Palmyra is probably best known for its Halloween parade, where costumed residents, fire dancers and magicians pass by on floats.
Many of Palmyra’s events are held in collaboration with Riverton, including the Halloween parade. “People can walk [to Riverton] because you're right there… So it gets very intermixed together,” Blosfelds says. The neighboring borough also offers the membership-only Riverton Yacht Club and the Riverton Country Club, which has a private golf course and pool.
Nearby bridges and Light Rail line connect commuters to Philadelphia
Palmyra is located just over 10 miles from Philadelphia. There are several routes into the city, including taking the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge across the river to get on Interstate 95. Palmyra's River Line Light Rail connects to Camden in 20 minutes. From there, commuters can take the PATCO Speedline to Philadelphia in about five minutes. “So, it's a very commutable town,” Blosfelds says. “We really do get a lot of people from Philadelphia who want to come over this way when they want to start a family.”
The Light Rail also connects to Trenton , 30 miles north. The Philadelphia International Airport is approximately 20 miles south, and the closest hospital is Jefferson Frankford Hospital, located less than 5 miles away across the river.
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
