Gloucester Township

Just 15 miles from Center City Philadelphia, Gloucester Township offers a suburban feel with several communities blended into one, featuring tons of stores, restaurants and parks for folks to enjoy.

This large, 23-square-mile township has a home to fit just about anyone’s needs, from $150,000 condominiums to million-dollar mansions. While there are several housing options, single-family homes from the mid-to-late 1900s are the most common. You’ll find various houses in suburban subdivisions such as ranch-styles, bi-levels and Colonial Revivals on quarter-to-half-acre lots. Some come with spacious, grassy yards, while others have pools with relaxing lounge spaces. These single-family homes typically range anywhere from $300,000 to $450,000. You can also make yourself at home in a contemporary town house for around $200,000 to $300,000. Or you can settle down in one of the township’s custom-built mansions, which can be found sporadically around the community.

Locals enjoy being able to shop from the immense retailers throughout Gloucester Township. Nicole Nicholson, Realtor with Century 21 Real Estate, has lived in Gloucester Township her whole life. She says, “Every store you can imagine is here, and there’s typically two or three of them within five minutes of each other.” One of the township’s prime shopping destinations is Gloucester Premium Outlets, an open-air outlet mall boasting more than 80 retailers and restaurants with outdoor dining. Just across the street, you can hit up Dave & Buster’s for some fun arcade games. According to Nicholson, people in Gloucester Township love their Italian restaurants. You’ll find many of them in small shopping centers around town, including Antonio’s Pizza, a casual spot for pizza, cheesesteaks and other Italian-American eats. Or you can enjoy a homestyle pasta dish at Costardo’s in a more formal setting. And whether it’s time for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Lamp Post Diner is a hotspot for locals, where you’re more than likely to leave with a full belly.

“There’s been a big push to make this big community feel more like a small town,” says Nicholson. “We have a farmer’s market, holiday parades and lots of community events throughout the year.”

Locals frequently gather at Gloucester Township Veterans Memorial Park for special events. Get your groove on during the Sounds of Summer Concert Series, and bring a blanket or lawn chair to watch a family-friendly film during Movie Nights. On any given day, the park is a great place for kids to run around the wide-open field or on the playground. There’s also a paved walkway that loops around the park where you can work on your cardio. If you prefer to hike through nature, head to Timber Creek Park, which offers woodsy trails, a large fenced-in dog park and another playground for children to enjoy. Over at Gloucester Township Recreation Complex, you’ll often see kids playing sports through local leagues on dozens of fields.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students are divided between eight elementary and three middle schools within Gloucester Township Public Schools, which has a B- overall rating from Niche. They feed into three different high schools that are part of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District. They include Highland Regional High School, Triton Regional High School and Timber Creek Regional High School, which have a B, B and B+ Niche grading, respectively. Graduates seeking post-secondary education can stay living at home by attending Camden County Community College, conveniently located in the township.

“What’s nice about Gloucester Township,” says Nicholson, “Is you can be in the city in 15 minutes while still living far enough away to where it’s quiet and peaceful.”

With easy access to NJ Route 42, you can quickly drive 15 miles north to Center City Philadelphia or 50 miles south to Atlantic City, making Gloucester Township a desirable place to live for city workers and beachgoers who want to live in a community-centric suburb.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Carmen Gerace