The present hospital is about 20 minutes away in Galloway, but you are looking at a brand new medical center in Hammonton to open in 2011......according to front page of the paper earlier this week. ++++++++
I saw that too, although from what I gathered it seemed more like an upgraded version of what Atlanticare has there now in the former Kessler building. I don't believe, at this stage of planning that there would be any longer term (overnight) care available. You'd still have to either go to Atlanticare in Galloway, or West Jersey in Berlin.
Bugs.......+-+-+-+-+-+- some good - some bad
Agreed, the main concern would be mosquitos, which the Atlantic co mosquito commission has been keeping a good handle on lately.
Food shopping 10 miles to Hammonton....Shoprite (convenient but sucky produce/always crowded) - Superfresh (good but a bit more expensive/less crowded) - Bagliani's in Hammonton....yummy! -+++-+++-+++
In my opinion, Shop Rite is the better market there
, but I guess it comes down to personal preferences. Hammonton is MUCH nicer than Absecon or EHT... Galloway's is about on par with Hammonton. Super Fresh is more expensive, and just never seems worth it. Other options, for quicker groceries is Farmer Johns market on 542 in Nesco, which is like a Wawa, this would be your closest quick grocery and gas station. Further out there is the Elwood Deli (also in Mullica), and Incollingos in Egg Harbor City which is a private IGA'type based supermarket. I'll also vote for Bagliani's too though, another good choice!
In terms of retail shopping, the Hamilton Mall is closer than those shopping areas closer to Philly. Within 20 mins or so you can be at larger stores like Best Buy, Sears, Macys, Pennys, BJs, Target, Kohls, Home Depot/Lowes etc. They can all be found in the area near the Hamilton Mall.
Your Expressway exit for going west would be 28, while going east could either be 28 or 12. Parkway southbound you could use exits 52, 48, or 44 (theres a quick back-way off 58 too). Northbound Exit 38 (via the ACE), 50, or the AC Rest area (near 42) would be your best bet.
As far as the school systems, they're rural though regarded as very nice. My mom has substitued in Elwood and said the students were no problem at all. High School students currently go to Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, however a brand new High School is being built near the Egg Harbor City lake (off 563) which will house Mullica and Egg Harbor City students.
Good luck in your search! The area you're looking at is very nice, and is noticably quieter than many surrounding areas even at "rush" hour. Only 542 can get somewhat busy during the "rush" thanks to commuters coming from Ocean County who use it as a cut off to Hammonton and beyond.
Edit: And if you look across the river in Washington Twp its nice over there too, and even more rural, right down to the municipal level (state police only etc). Everybody in "town" pretty much knows everybody else, which mainly consists of Wading River, Lower Bank, and Green Bank. School-system wise they have their own schools, however High School students get bussed to Atlantic County to Oakcrest, and soon the new HS in Egg Harbor City.