Pennsauken

A part of the Pennsauken township within Camden County, the Camden/Pennsauken neighborhood has a strong sense of hometown pride. "The community is tightly knit, very welcoming, and multicultural. It has always been this way," says Will Lane, a longtime Pennsauken resident. The community contains a mix of styles that create a varied character along the streetscape. Throughout the roadways are houses with front steps leading to entranceways and garages. The housing stock includes 20th-century dwellings and a handful of newer homes. The area leans heavily toward Cape Cod styles and split levels. But there are also American foursquares and modest raised ranches from the early 1900s. Homes in the neighborhood cost between $175,000 to $350,000 on average. Buyers can expect an average price per square foot between $125 to $200. "I grew up in Pennsauken since I was in the third grade, and that was over 40 years ago," says Lane. "My wife isn't from here, but she fell in love with the area. This is a family-oriented community, and we decided to raise ours right here, in Pennsauken." Young residents are served by the Pennsauken Public School District. G.H. Carson Elementary accepts students until the end of third grade. Fourth and fifth graders spend the day at Pennsauken Intermediate School. Both schools received a C on Niche. These young minds will eventually move on to graduate from Pennsauken High, which earned a B- on Niche. The high school promises a number of CTE programs, including Welding, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Automotive Technology, and other offerings. Local students can look forward to the upcoming renovations of Roosevelt STEM School. The public school will expand academic programs for kindergarten to eighth graders. Parents may also choose nearby private options: Bishop Eustace Prep, Camden Catholic High, or JDT Christian Academy. Camden/Pennsauken has ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Some locals spend time at Cooper River Park for the large track, bocce court or the William G. Rohrer Children's Playground. This is also an excellent location for fishing or boating at the Cooper River Yacht Club. Veteran Island is adjacent to this riverfront park; a bridge stretches from the mainland across the water, leading to shading trees and peaceful views. Lena Skelly Park is a smaller neighborhood spot to relax after a long day. Avid golfers can practice their swing at the Camden County Driving Range or tee off at the nearby Merchantville Country Club. Most of the community's commerce is along Kaighn Avenue, where retail and dining opportunities await. Here, you'll find a Walmart Supercenter and department stores. Those looking to save can find consignment items and second-hand treasures at 2A Thrift Superstore or Habitat for Humanity ReStore within the community. Locals may pick up groceries and home supplies at Supremo Foodmarket or Lidl. For a taste of old Pennsauken, head to Weber's, a popular drive-in spot in the area since the 1950s. To the south is LaScala Birra, a popular Italian-style restaurant with views of the Cooper River. To the south, heavy industry is significantly concentrated along the riverfront. Lane, who also founded the local youth and family empowerment organization, A Champion's Heart Inc., says the township benefits from several faith-based and proactive nonprofit organizations that support the area. "This strong community helped shape me into the socially conscious man I am today," Lane says.

Enjoy proximity to Downtown Philadelphia just across the Delaware River in Colonial, where distribution centers mix in with the parks and local high school. “There are a lot of commercial buildings around here so we’re a bit of a hub for that between all the industry in the area and being so close to the highways,” says John Rehill, a retiree who lives nearby and volunteers at Harvest Christian Center. There are about 1,000 total homes in the neighborhood that date between the early 1900s and the 1990s. White picket fences complement brick ranch-style homes, split levels and American foursquare homes. Brightly colored shutters rest above cozy front porches and sidewalks connect small green lawns. Joggers and dog walkers enjoy colorful curb appeal thanks to mature trees and flowering shrubs. There are townhouse options as well, that typically sell for about $300,000. Single-family homes sell for $425,000 to $1,800,000, with homes on more spacious plots falling on the more expensive end of the spectrum. On average, homes in Colonial sell after 69 days on the market which is higher than the national average of 39 days. Homes are typically between 1,350 and 3,850 square feet in size and sit on lots between 0.41 and 4 acres. Despite the neighborhood’s location right on the river and surrounded by Pennsauken Creek, there aren’t any waterfront homes. “The water access around here sort of mystifies me because I’m used to seeing big expensive homes on the water. I thought all that property would be filled with housing developments but it’s really just a park,” Rehill says. “And there isn’t much going on out on the water unless it’s a ship for the oil refinery pulling into one of their huge docks. The only way people really get out on the water is if they’re going over a bridge.” Palmyra Nature Cove Trail Bridge gives visitors great views of the Betsy Ross Bridge across the Delaware River. The cove is a converted dredge-dumping site that’s become a popular spot for bird watching and hiking thanks to its network of trails. Stow Road Community Park has multiple sports courts along with a hockey rink, playground and picnic areas. “The neighborhood is very active and they do a good job making sure there’s plenty here for kids,” Rehill says. They built this huge park and every holiday season they have something in the park for the community.” Wesley Gaines Community Park is well-shaded thanks to mature trees and has a paved walking and biking path. On rainy days, Clutch Shot axe throwing is a great way to work up a sweat while challenging friends. Students in Colonial can attend Delair Elementary School which received a C rating from Niche and has about 300 students in grades K-3 with a student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Cinnaminson High School is another option that received an A-minus rating from Niche and has about 820 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Pennsauken High School received a B-minus rating from Niche and has about 1,500 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. The school offers multiple career and technical education programs like automotive technology, carpentry and cosmetology. There are mostly large chain restaurants in and around Colonial thanks to the network of highways that surrounds the neighborhood, but there are some local options as well. Rocco’s Steaks is a family-owned restaurant known for its classic diner atmosphere and tasty dishes like an American chicken club sandwich paired with home fries. Carollos Restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and a family-friendly environment. They have everything from beer and wine to pizza and wraps to hot and cold sandwiches and paninis. Locals can choose from options like Nunez Rosado Mini Market or the nearby Fresh Produce and ShopRite of Cinnaminson to pick up their groceries. Colonial is 10 miles northeast of Downtown Philadelphia, just over the Betsy Ross Bridge. Neighborhood residents enjoy convenient access to the NJ Transit and the Pennsauken Riverline Station.

Upper Pennsauken Township offers a unique mix of industrial centers, residential streets and lush green spaces tucked alongside the Delaware River – just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia. “Pennsauken has been a hot spot for the past couple of years. I know at one point, average home value growth hit 18%,” says Sara Gladden, a real estate agent with The Property Alliance who has been selling homes in the area for over three years. “A lot of that is because of what happened with COVID. People left Philadelphia and New York City and went to the suburbs. Compared to some of the other townships, the taxes are more affordable, which in New Jersey is a big deal.” The community is just south of New Jersey Route 90 and the Betsy Ross Bridge, which provides easy commutes into Philadelphia. “It’s a good mix of people who commute and people who are based in New Jersey,” Gladden says. Besides its waterfront location, Upper Pennsauken Township has a vibrant commercial corridor along Westfield Avenue – a popular spot for a night out on the town. Further from its waterfront industrial centers, Upper Pennsauken Township consists of gridded, residential streets – many of which do not have sidewalks. Colonial Revivals sit alongside traditional Cape Cod-style homes and charming bungalows with columned front porches. While some homes feature attached garages, driveways leading past the house to detached garages are the norm. Prices for single-family homes range from around $200,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow to about $330,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial Revival. New construction includes four-bedroom new traditional homes selling for about $450,000. Several townhome communities are in the southwestern corner of the neighborhood, with prices ranging from around $160,000 to $250,000. “People who are from Pennsauken can’t believe the prices, and people from these bigger cities also can’t believe it,” Gladden says. Westfield Avenue bisects Upper Pennsauken Township and is the community’s main commercial corridor. The thoroughfare hosts a variety of flavors, including casual spots like the Dominican-inspired Miguelina’s Bakery. Local favorites for dining include Montegrillo Cucina Italiana and La Cocina Latin Cuisine, a Caribbean restaurant serving family-style dishes. “La Cucina is really popular. Someone who used to work in my brokerage actually owns that. He’s really active in the town, so people really support him,” Gladden says. Neighbors gather at Bobby Ray’s Pennsauken Tavern long after sunset for classic cocktails and Friday night karaoke. “That’s kind of the neighborhood watering hole,” Gladden says. Corner stores like The Bodega 856 sell the necessities, and Save A Lot is less than a mile southwest. The Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District earned a C from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The district offers free prekindergarten at the Baldwin Early Childhood Learning Center. Students begin their education at Delair Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through third grade. Older kids attend Pennsauken Intermediate School for fourth and fifth grade before moving on to Howard M. Phifer Middle School. All three schools earned a C from Niche. Teens attend the B-minus-rated Pennsauken High School. The high school’s career and technical education programs offer students hands-on experience in fields such as automotive technology, culinary arts and music production. Private school options include St. Cecilia School, a Catholic school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. Several green spaces sit along the Delaware River and the New Jersey Transit train tracks. Delaware Gardens Park has two ballfields, a soccer field and a paved walking path for outdoor exercisers. Further east along the waterfront is Tippin’s Pond, which has a small fishing dock where locals can catch largemouth bass. The Nature Walk at Fish House Cove is on the other side of the train tracks and spans about a quarter mile through the marshes. The paved path leads to the Heritage Park Boardwalk, which offers panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline. Across the street from the pond is the Pennsauken Municipal Pool and the Pennsauken Skate Zone, an indoor ice rink that’s open year-round. Next door at the Pennsauken Skate Park, residents can practice their tricks on ramps, rails and more. The Pennsauken Free Public Library offers a variety of programming, ranging from ESL classes to book clubs. The library also collaborates with the Pennsauken Community Garden, which is just behind the building. The township hosts various events at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex, located along Westfield Avenue and undergoing renovations. It is set to reopen in 2025. The town plans to construct a small outdoor amphitheater to host concerts and theatrical performances at the community center. Annual festivities include the Pennsauken Fall Festival, which features amusement rides, hayrides and a vendor’s row where residents can shop local. Upper Pennsauken Township is just north of U.S. Route 130. The thoroughfare connects to New Jersey Route 90 and provides easy access to Center City Philadelphia—the city’s central business district—which is about a 10-mile drive southwest across the Betsy Ross Bridge. The New Jersey Transit provides local bus service to the community, with stops along the neighborhood’s main streets. In the northwestern corner of the neighborhood is the 36th Street station, a light rail station on the New Jersey Transit’s River Line. The train travels north to the Pennsauken Transit Center, among other places. The Philadelphia International Airport is about a 20-mile drive from residents.

A quaint community about 10 miles outside of Philadelphia, Collins Tract preserves its 19th-century charm with Victorian-style storefronts and homes featuring similar architecture. Mostly residential, the quiet streets are lined with shady oak and maple trees that allow for cool and intimate walks through the neighborhood. Collins Tract borders Merchantville – another area with a small-town atmosphere – and the two share amenities, including schools, events and trendy eateries on Centre Street. While the neighborhood maintains suburban appeal, growth is inevitable. “Folks who relocate from Philadelphia describe this area as a tree-lined oasis,” says Merchantville Mayor Ted Brennan. “And a lot of space and development is coming to Centre Street, the downtown area, for more community events.” The residential streets in Collins Tract are spread farther apart than some of the surrounding communities, and many homes offer driveways and attached garages. “This is an interesting area because everything starts to transition from urban to a more suburban feeling with the way the roads are laid out and how homes have a lot more space between them,” says Luis Ortiz, a neighborhood local and real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach. “It’s great for people who want all that but still be close to the city.” Quaint bungalows with wide front porches typically range in size from 1,300 to 1,500 square feet and are priced between $250,000 and $250,000. Larger colonials with Victorian influences that were originally built in the late 1800s and early 1900s have seen recent renovations that maintain the home’s historic charm. These 1,500- to 3,000-square-foot single-family properties can cost anywhere from $300,000 to $650,000. Students can attend public schools in Merchantville, starting with a 12-1 student-teacher ratio at Merchantville School, a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school with a B Niche grade. They can progress to Pennsauken High School, graded a B-minus. “I went to this school,” Brennan says. “My children have all gone through the school system, and it really prepares kids for the next level.” A private education option in the area is St. Peter School, a kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic School with an A-plus Niche grade. This school shares a campus with the ornate, Gothic Revival building of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. “It’s one of the biggest parishes in Camden County,” Brennan says. “It gives back not just to the local community but the larger community, like helping to manage the food insecurity in the area.” The bustling strip of U.S. Route 130 that borders Collins Tract is marked with small shopping plazas, gas stations, auto shops and salons. There are also several fast food and dine-in restaurants, including Tierra Colombia. This vibrant spot is renowned for its generous portions of traditional Colombian stews and platters. On the south side of Centre Street, a trendy and walkable downtown area features boutique shops and popular eateries. The Blue Monkey Tavern sits inside a historic building, serving burgers and craft beers. Across the street, Park Place Cafe and Restaurant is a more upscale dining option. “The chef was nominated for the James Beard Award. He’s very into natural elements in his cooking,” Brennan says. “It’s hard to get a seat in the restaurant.” For some post-dinner pints, Eclipse Brewing serves local brews in a renovated Cape Cod. Collins Tract offers a few corner markets and convenience stores that are useful for quick grocery runs, but residents will have to venture to the Cherry Hill area just 2 miles south for big names like Walmart and Lidl. On the south side of Collins Tract in Merchantville, Wellwood Park features walking paths, play areas and green space. “It’s our biggest open-space park,” Brennan says. We hold a lot of events there, like our Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony.” On the east side of the neighborhood, Collins Tract Park is a small park with an outdoor basketball court, playground and field. The Merchantville Pennsauken Little League joins young athletes from the two neighboring communities. Located on Route 130, the Pennsauken Public Library provides community services like free museum passes for the family. Living close to Merchantville, Collins Tract residents share a close relationship with the community there. They come together throughout the year for family-friendly celebrations, like the Holiday Parade that begins at Wellwood Park. Merchantville also hosts Easter egg hunts, Halloween festivals and Pride Month celebrations, all open to the surrounding communities. U.S. Route 130 runs along the west side of Collins Tract, a major thoroughfare that leads to access points across the Delaware River and into Philadelphia. From the neighborhood, the Betsy Ross Bridge and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge are only about 5 miles away. There are also several NJ Transit bus stops around town, most located along Route 130 and Centre Street.