Woodlynne

One of New Jersey’s smallest municipalities, Woodlynne owes its existence to the closing of an early 20th-century amusement park on the outskirts of Camden.

The community might be a different magnet than it once was, previously drawing people to its scenic lake and fairgrounds filled with rides and other carnival fare. Situated between Camden and Collingswood, however, Woodlynne’s small 4x10 grid neighborhood built on the dry lakebed offers a selection of affordable housing for Philadelphia commuters enamored with the charm of South Jersey’s suburbs.

Tim Belko, a South Jersey real estate expert with Fox & Roach Realtors of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, says communities like Woodlynne have become more attractive in recent years as more people flock to Collingswood for its vibrant downtown arts and culture scene. “People are getting priced out there. There’s not much inventory in that market,” he says. “These cluster towns, I think they are cost-effective options for potential homebuyers who want to live in a great area without breaking the bank. They’re all great options. It’s just down to a person’s personal preferences.” With the neighborhood also just a few miles from Philadelphia via the PATCO high-speed line, the neighborhood's placement next to a large commuter rail station makes it a popular home base for folks working in the big city.

Similar to what you’d find in Camden, brick row houses and units in Colonial-style twins sell for around $70,000 to $200,000, providing options for a starter home or an investment property. At the higher end, closer to prices comparable to properties in Collingswood, you’ll need about $250,000 to $400,000 if you want one of the neighborhood’s beautiful Victorian homes or Craftsman-style bungalows from the early 20th century.

Formed as an independent borough more than a century ago, Woodlynne features its own school district that serves students approximately 400 kids from preschool to 8th grade at its elementary and middle school campus. Though a public school, the school division requires students to wear uniforms under its dress code policy. After completing middle school in the neighborhood, students generally go to Collingswood High School as part of a sending/receiving partnership between the two school districts.

Though Route 130 divides Woodlynne from Collingswood, neighborhood folks can quickly drive or walk to Haddon Avenue within a few minutes to enjoy the neighboring community’s beloved downtown district or the seasonal farmers’ market. With a dog-friendly atmosphere, live bands and a wide variety of vendors, the market regularly attracts visitors from all over the neighborhood and surrounding area, making it one of the most popular farmstands in South Jersey. Even closer to Woodlynne, Knight Park welcomes folks to explore its paved trails that wind through the 60-acre green space, passing tall trees, baseball fields, playgrounds and a scenic pond filled with waterfowl. Head to Collingswood even farther and you'll hit another Cooper River Park, a sprawling riverfront space with yacht clubs, public amenities and picturesque views.

You’ll also be close to numerous high-end and inviting restaurants, some of which rival the best of what nearby Philadelphia has to offer. Almost 50 years after opening the Japanese sushi restaurant Sagami, Chef Shigeru Fukuyoshi was named a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2023, earning high praise from fellow chefs in the culinary industry’s most prestigious contest. The local food scene sets hearths and mouths ablaze, as worldly restaurants like Li Beirut and Oasis Mexican Grill serve traditional dishes like what you’d find vacationing on the Mediterranean coast or in the Puebla highlands.

There are fewer places to eat and shop in Woodlynne, but a few still delight neighbors and friends around the area. At both Food Reyes and Alex’s Bakery and Food Store, you can find traditional Mexican and Hispanic products and dishes, including belly-filling huaraches, moist tres leches cake and traditional tacos made with corn tortillas.

Written By

Christopher Suarez

Photography Contributed By

Conner Baker

Video By

Matt Pangman