Pitman is the hometown to poet, visual artist and punk rock icon Patti Smith, where the legend herself grew up and had some of her life's most defining experiences. Pitman is also a dry town where the sale of alcohol is prohibited and no liquor licenses are issued.
Pitman's history can be traced back to 1871 when it was selected to be the base of the Methodist summer camp. The historic auditorium was designed to have 12 roads originating from the center, akin to the spokes on a wheel. In this case, there was a deeper hidden meaning as they were meant to symbolize the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. To date, there exists an area in the tabernacle where a visitor can look down at all 12 avenues. Back in the old days, worshipers arrived from far-flung areas, and it was only a matter of time before they settled down with their families. Soon, the worshipers' tents lining each of the twelve roads were replaced with cottages -- and this was the start of Pitman, a borough in Gloucester County, steeped in historical legacies and culture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Covering a total surface area of just 2.308 square miles, Pitman enjoys its proximity to international hubs such as Philadelphia, Washington and New York.
Moving to Pitman
In Pitman, the overall education level of residents is significantly higher than any other typical US community. The Pitman School District is impressive and offers residents a fine choice between schools like the Elwood Kindle Elementary School, W. C. K. Walls Elementary School, Pitman Middle School and Pitman High School. These institutions are overlooked by an elected seven member school board, who serve without pay. Families looking to move to this city will want to make note of the fact that since Pitman is a walking district, buses aren't used to pick and drop off the kids at school.
Public transportation links are pretty efficient with the New Jersey Transit providing bus services between Pitman and Philadelphia. The future looks good with the city being designated as a planned stop on the Glassboro-Camden Line, an 18-mile diesel multiple unit light rail system which will be functional in 2019. Get ready for the future of travel!
Neighborhoods
This small borough comprises three neighborhoods where most commuters spend less than 15 minutes commuting one-way to work. This is one of the shortest commutes across all of America!
S Woodbury Rd / Grandview Ave: Vacancies are a lot lower than average, so you will want to be prepared to give yourself enough time to find a place! Real estate consists mainly of medium sized, small studios, single-family homes and apartment complexes/high-rise apartments. Most of the residential real estate is owner occupied, and most residences were built between 1940 and 1969, and a few before 1940.
N Broadway / W Holly Ave: In this suburban neighborhood, median real estate prices and rental prices are lower than most of New Jersey's neighborhoods. Real estate is comprised of medium sized to small single-family homes, apartment complexes and high-rise apartments. Residential real estate has good mix of owners and renters. With a vacancy rate of 13.3 %, potential renters stand a chance of scoring decent hi rise apartments, serviced apartments or other homes for rent. Most of the residents drive alone in a private automobile to get to work.
Borough Center: Like the other two neighborhoods, in this urban neighborhood median real estate prices and rents are lower in price than most of New Jersey's neighborhoods. On the flip side, vacancy rates are lower than most of the neighborhoods in the U.S. The real estate scene comprises mainly of medium sized, small single-family homes and small apartment buildings, with a nice mix of owners and renters. While most residents drive a private vehicle to work, the rest are open to carpooling with colleagues, friends and neighbors. Borough Center reflects the truly historical nature of Pitman with numerous residences built prior to 1940 in classical styles. If this aspect is important to your lifestyle, then this area will be the most obvious choice, whether to buy or rent an apartment.
Living in Pitman
Life in Pitman is peaceful and relaxed. The historic district runs along Broadway, and here is where you'd find old antique sellers, fashion stores, local delis, old book shops, and a string of convenience stores. A perfect spot to take in the soul of Pitman.
Created in a lush French Revival motif style with crystal chandeliers and an opulent balcony, the 1926-built Broadway Theatre of Pitman is, to date, the hotbed of culture and has welcomed international celebrities such as Bing Crosby, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Herman's Hermits, George Carlin and others in the past. In this sense, the residents of Pitman can enjoy all the cultural trappings of a big city life by staying put!
Meanwhile, the McCowan Library is a public library offering open and equal access of its wealth of resources to the residents. The Pitman Historical Museum is a great resource for those interested in tracing the gradual development of Pitman from its early revival in 1871, up until the mid twentieth century.
If you're considering making a move, give Pitman some consideration as the city holds immense potential for the future.