Lindenwold, NJ

The borough of Lindenwold was created on April 23, 1929, and many Camden County institutions, municipalities and streets still bear the names of many of those who made this area their new home. Walt Whitman moved to Camden to 330 Mickle Street after the Civil War, and today the house stands as a national historic landmark.

Although an arts scene isn't prevalent, the Garden State Discovery Museum in nearby Cherry Hill shouldn't be missed. A celebration of imagination for children ages infant through 10 years old, it has become one of south Jersey’s largest attractions for family fun and discovery. Explore science, get down and dirty making arts and crafts, or bear the honor of wearing the chef’s coat for a day--the GSDM is the place to be

Annually, Lindenwold High School holds a 5K run to raise money for scholarship funds.

The neighborhood has no central restaurant location, but does offer up an eclectic array of cuisines. Mexican, Italian, Indian, and African are just some of the choices, allowing you to travel the world through your plate without ever leaving town

Sugarpuddin's has the best barbecue this side of the Mississippi, and the best ribs as well. Collards greens and homemade cornbread round out the meal, and so do their desserts which are as famous as their slow-cooked barbecue. Real Southern food served with real Southern hospitality make this place a fun and delicious addition to the neighborhood.

If you want authentic handmade Mexican food in a beautifully decorated, family owned setting, then La Esperanza will make all of your wishes come true. Meaning "hope" in Spanish, La Esperanza won Best of Philly's best Mexican restaurant in 2003, and hasn't stopped receiving rave reviews since. Try the popular Fat Alex burrito, and order guacamole and margaritas as well, for a meal that will have you exclaiming, "Ole "

For a big night out, hop on a train to Philly, or if you prefer a more down to earth evening, stick around the area and have a low-key night locally. Catelli Duo in the Voorhees Town Center offers happy hour Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., a late night menu until midnight, a great wine selection, indoor and outdoor seating in a modern, hip atmosphere, and fire pits outside. If dive bars sound more your speed, then head to Paul's Tavern, where like the sign says, "The Party's at Paul's." A jukebox, two pool tables, and open hours until 3 a.m. will have you rockin' and rollin.'

While there are many bike paths throughout Lindenwold in the parks, driving is the main mode of getting around, making the streets less biking friendly. Parking lots of commercial and retail centers offer free public parking, and taxis and Uber will need to be called ahead of time.

The Lindenwold train station houses the main operations facility for the PATCO Speedline. It also acts as a stop on New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Line, which runs from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.

NJ Transit offers bus service between the borough and Camden on the 403 route, with local service on the 451 and 459 routes, and service to Atlantic City on the 554. Lindenwold also offers free bus service to local areas for senior citizens and the handicapped.

Timber Creek Park spans 128 acres across Lindenwold and Gloucester Township and the Timber Creek Dog Park can be found at the intersection of Chews Landing Road and Taylor Avenue in Blackwood. Timber Creek Park contains an outdoor amphitheater, two pavilions, cross country trails, a walking track, restrooms and water fountains, and nature trails throughout the park.

Lindenwold Memorial Park serves as a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. Baseball fields, soccer fields, a fitness circuit and a walking trail offer options for the physically active, while playground areas keep children entertained. Swing sets, slides, a seesaw, climbing and crawling areas and a play train and ferry boat are some of the activities for families, and the whole area is mulched. A war memorial for POW/MIA soldiers sits at the foot of the parking lot with benches, giving the park its namesake. Boy Scout Troop 54 holds an annual car show here, open to all makes and models, and the Arc of Camden County also holds annual walkathons at the park to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Both parks and parking remain free to visitors.

The cost of living in Lindenwold sits at 18 percent less than the state of New Jersey, with the average cost of a one bedroom renting around $730.

Getting to Philadelphia will only cost $3 on the PATCO train line, but if you plan on driving, gas prices here are only a few cents above the national average.

Unwind at a local bar with a beer for around $4.

Lindenwold itself doesn't have much of a shopping scene, but the Voorhees Town Center in the bordering town of Voorhees, provides a vibrant mixed use destination comprising the finest in retail and dining options. Stroll down Town Center Boulevard, a tree-lined, quaint main street that connects each aspect of the town center and features boutiques and services. Next, head into the mall, the cornerstone of the town center featuring department stores and national and regional shops.

Inside the mall check out Adventureland, a pop culture superstore for toys, shirts, cards, statues, games, comics and fun, featuring your favorite superheroes: Doctor Who, WWE, Big Bang Theory and more. The store also hold events, like chances to meet WWE fighters.

Italian Treasures, also inside the mall, offers a large selection of beautiful and unique jewelry, housewares, decorative items, art work, gifts and much more. On top of all of the Italian inspired items they sell, they also offer Italian lessons.

Save-A-Lot and Deterding's Family Market provide grocery shopping in Lindenwold, while the Blackwood Farmers' Market operates from June through September in Blackwood, and the Berlin Farmer's Market operates indoors year round in nearby Berlin. Every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berlin Farmer's Market, over 700 vendor spaces can be found selling local produce, specialty foods, yard sales and more. Also on the property, 70 stores offering furniture, clothing, an Amish meat market and Amish Bakery, along with many other shops.