Originally settled by Quakers, Burlington is home to the oldest church in New Jersey and has a rich history entwined with neighboring Philadelphia and the birth of the United States.
Today, Burlington prides itself on keeping alive some of the values of the Quakers. While equal rights for everyone, including women and different racial groups, was a somewhat unique concept back in 1677, Burlington, both then and today, lives up to those values. The city aims to remain a diverse, accepting and caring community for all who visit or choose to live here. Burlington takes enormous pride in its history, and a walking tour of the sights is a must-do activity when you are in town.
Renting in Burlington
Burlington is a half-hour drive from Philadelphia and is considered a suburb of the city, despite being in another state. Burlington is on the banks of the Delaware River and has a small island, Burlington Island, in the city limits. You can cross the Delaware right at Burlington using the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, also called the Tacony Palmyra Bridge, or further south toward Cherry Hill on the Betsy Ross Bridge.
Burlington is smack dab in the center of all the major highways in the area, so commuting to Philadelphia or Trenton is not a problem. Interstates 95 and 295 are both a stone's throw away. Even New York City is only an hour-and-a-half from Burlington -- on a good traffic day, that is.
You may need to do a bit of work to rent an apartment in Burlington, so be sure to allow at least two to three weeks for finding a place and getting through all the paperwork. You will likely need to pass a credit check and, sometimes, a background check also. Be prepared to show proof of income and to put down a hefty chunk of cash in the form of first month's rent and security deposit. If you have a dog or a cat, you should have no problem finding pet-friendly apartments but will likely have to pay a fee for your furry friend.
Neighborhoods in Burlington
Burlington can be considered contemporary living in a country setting. Most apartments to rent in Burlington are in smaller apartment buildings and complexes. You won't find high-rise apartments here. Apartment buildings are scattered throughout town, which makes for a nice mix of single-family and rental housing. There are also plenty of options for apartment rentals in homes. This can be a fun and unique option given the number of historic homes in the city.
Burlington Pike Corridor: You will find several smaller apartment complexes here that may not offer some of the amenities of newer and larger complexes but will have easy access to Route 130, making for an easy commute to Philadelphia or Trenton.
Living in Burlington
Burlington is extremely proud of its rich history and role in the growth of the United States. The city, though home to fewer than 10,000 people, hosts thousands of tourists each year who come to enjoy downtown, learn a little history and boat and play on the Delaware River.
You will find most everything you need right in the city. There are grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations within an easy distance. If you want larger stores, just outside of town are Walmart, Marshalls, Target and the Burlington Center Mall. If you crave outlet mall shopping, the huge Franklin Mills Outlets are just across the river.
Burlington weather is less harsh than the typical northeast weather of northern cities like Boston. While not as mild as the Mid-Atlantic States, Burlington weather is still easy to take, especially in summer. Temperatures will be in the 20 to 40 degree Fahrenheit range for winter and will sometimes hit 90 in summer. But thanks to the cooling effects of the Delaware River, your nights will mostly be pretty comfortable.
Part of the ambiance of Burlington, of course, comes from its history. The High Street Historic District in downtown Burlington attracts tourists to visit the site where Ben Franklin learned to be a printer, the homes of Ulysses S. Grant and author James Fenimore Cooper, and sites that were part of the Underground Railroad. There are well-documented walking tours of the town, and this is a great thing to do with visiting family and friends. If you are a history buff, there are countless buildings and sites that you will want to visit.
Burlington is a city that cares about its citizens and provides many opportunities to show its pride. The city hosts a Memorial Day Parade, a Festival of Lights, Boat Parade & Fireworks for the 4th of July, a Halloween Hoopla and a Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The city plans and organizes many recreation programs for both adults and the youth of the city. Baseball, softball, basketball and football leagues are available. There are several parks and recreational facilities such as Kennedy Park, the York and Clarkson Tot Lot and Engle Park. The city also operates a public boat ramp on the Delaware River. There is a fee to launch from here. The boat ramp is at the end of the Riverfront Promenade, a beautiful and relaxing riverfront park complete with a bandstand.
One of the advantages of living in Burlington is the ease of access to a city like Philadelphia. If you need to take public transportation, there is bus service to Philadelphia through Camden, New Jersey. Interstate 95 is directly across the river and provides quick access to points north and south. If you want to stay on the same side of the river as Burlington, Interstate 295 will do the same. If you need a major airport, Philadelphia International Airport is only about 35 miles away.
In summer, Curtin's Wharf Restaurant, which is located right on Pearl Street on the waterfront, is the place to be. Boaters can tie up right outside or next door at Curtin's Marina and enjoy a nice cold beer on the deck. Live music, good food and good service complete a great summer scene.
When you are in Maine, you eat lobster. When you are near the Delaware Bay, you eat crab. The Blue Claw Crab Eatery on Route 130 has all-you-can-eat crab and delicious crab cakes. The atmosphere is very casual, and the restaurant also offers takeout. Geraghty's Pub & Restaurant is downtown on Broad Street and has a great selection of craft brews. Geraghty's serves your typical pub-style food, and locals rave about it.
If your apartment search is taking you anywhere near Philadelphia or Trenton, Burlington is certainly a place to consider. The openness and welcoming attitude of the city will help you to settle in and make it feel like home right away.