Mays Landing?

[dragoncjo]

Just wondering if anyone on here lives in or adjacent to Mays. My sister may be moving there and I'm curious if its a nice place to raise a young family. How are the school districts? Did the development bubble hit hard there? Crime? Violence? etc. I personally like the area just based on hiking there but wonder how it is as far as living there?

Thanks

 

[Boyd]

I live about 5 miles Southwest of Mays Landing and love it. The post office considers me as Mays Landing, but my property is actually in Estell Manor. My daughter is all grown and on her own now so I have no insights into the schools. When I moved here 4 years ago, my taxes on a home with 3.3 acres in Medford were about $7,000/year. I have 10 acres of woods now and the taxes were about $3,000. They have gone up faster than I'd like in the years since then - about 10% - but I really can't complain about a $3,300 tax bill considering what it costs in other areas.

One of the reasons taxes went up this year in Estell Manor has to do with renovation of the schools. I really don't know the details. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I love it here, mainly because I found a great place way off the roads in the woods. One thing which surprised me though is the total lack of grocery stores. There are some convenience stores, and Gregorio's on Rt 50 is a cool place with produce and a deli, but if I want a one-stop grocery store I have to drive more than 10 miles to the Acme or Shoprite. It's really unfortunate that there aren't any smaller grocery stores here, like Murphy's or something. I guess Shoprite and Acme have forced them out of business.

 

[dragoncjo]

Thanks Boyd. How about development around there? Did alot of developments pop up down there over the last 5 years? Also do you find it similar as living in Medford in regards to the socioeconomic climate? I think ideally my sister and brother in law want to move into a town like Medford but employment will be in A.C......guess they are looking for the Medford of Cape or Atlantic county. Taxes aside do you like Estell Manor better then Medford?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Boyd]

Medford just got too developed to suit my tastes. But if they liked Medford, they will probably hate Mays Landing. They are about as different as two places can be. It's more like living in a small town as opposed to a suburb IMO. Of course, it depends on exactly where you are. Mays Landing itself is part of Hamilton Township which includes some very developed areas and the Malls on Rt 40. I wouldn't be happy there personally.

My own land is bordered by state forest on two sides. Across the road there's a 2500 preserve and other protected lands all around. I'm not too worried about any development being built next to me. There's an expanding senior housing development with modular homes about 3 miles away, but that's about it. But if you live in NJ, eventually something will probably be built on any piece of land which supports it.... hopefully later instead of sooner.

If they are looking for a nice community with all the amenities, good social life, etc then I'd say this place probably isn't for them. My daughter had the time of her life growing up in Medford and attending Shawnee HS. Before moving there, we lived in a tiny rural town in upstate NY so she has seen both lifestyles. She was much happier in Medford, but now that she's grown she also appreciates the peace, quiet and natural beauty of my new home.... but would probably say "nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there".

I am more of a loner, so I love my current home. I can walk out my door and wander in the woods all day, and frankly that's what I tend to do with my free time these days, instead of driving somewhere.

 

[dragoncjo]

Thanks again for the info Boyd.