Ask anyone house-hunting in South Jersey and you’ll eventually land on the same question: Moorestown or Haddonfield? Both towns show up on many “best places to live” lists. Both have charming downtowns, top-rated schools, and an easy commute to Philadelphia. And both have loyal residents who will happily tell you why they love their town. 

We recently sat down with two agents who don’t just work in these towns — they live in them. Michala Costello, Realtor and team leader of Curated Living, lives with her family in Haddonfield, where the bulk of her real estate business is based. Amanda Johnston lives in Moorestown with her husband and two kids, and works with many of the town’s own buyers and sellers. Here’s their take, question by question.

Michala Costello & Amanda Johnston

What’s the overall vibe of each town?

Michala (Haddonfield): One of the things that drew my family and me to Haddonfield was the combination of its tight-knit community and incredible convenience. Kings Highway is lined with favorite local restaurants, shops, and businesses, giving downtown a true small town feel. At the same time, the PATCO Speedline makes getting into Philadelphia incredibly easy, with direct service to Center City right from Haddonfield. Because the lots here tend to be smaller and homes sit closer together, there’s a real sense of connection with neighbors. And a fun fact; Haddonfield is home to the Hadrosaurus, the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered. There’s even a statue of it downtown.

Amanda (Moorestown): Moorestown is more spread out than Haddonfield. Our homes typically sit on wider lots which gives you a real sense of privacy. We still have a walkable downtown with great cafes and boutiques, so you get that small-town feel when you want it. You’ll also find a few working farms here – it’s truly a mix of everything! And I have to mention the Burlington County Farmers Market — it’s right here in Moorestown and consistently ranks in the top three in the state.

What are some of your favorite local businesses in your neighborhoods?

Michala Costello (Haddonfield): Brunch at Cafe Lift is my go-to. For dinner, Umile has amazing pastas, salads, and pizzas. When I need a new outfit, I’m shopping at Maison Marcelle, and for anything home-related, I always go to Finished Home. 

Amanda Johnston (Moorestown): Pie Lady and French Press are my regular stops for something sweet or a good cup of coffee, and Cubby Hole is another local favorite of mine. With two boys, I’m always at Melange’s Children’s Boutique for their clothes…they have the best selection. For home decor, Home on Main is my first stop, and when I need a cute dress or something fun to wear, Apricot Lane always comes through.

What should buyers know about the homes and the real estate market?

Michala (Haddonfield): Haddonfield’s homes are genuinely historic. You’ll find Victorians and Colonial Revivals with the kind of detail you simply can’t recreate in new construction. I sold 83 Centre Street in July, and it was on the market for less than two weeks. What I’m seeing again and again is that buyers want it both ways: they’re drawn to the character of an older home, original hardwood floors, crown molding, vintage door hardware, classic exteriors — but they also want updated appliances and systems. This one checked both boxes! 

When a home hits the market in Haddonfield, buyers need to be ready. Inventory is very tight. 

Amanda (Moorestown): Moorestown offers a different feel. You’ll find a lot more newer construction and modern homes here, along with more land and more privacy than you’d typically get in Haddonfield — bigger lots, more space between neighbors, and more square footage. There are certainly plenty of historic homes as well – the blocks surrounding Main Street and Chester Ave have gorgeous old homes. My own house was built in 1797! But since there was more open space here and it is a generally larger town landwise, developments popped up over time and the wide range of home varieties demonstrates that. 

Another thing worth mentioning are taxes.Taxes tend to run lower in Moorestown compared to Haddonfield, which can make a real difference for buyers as they search for their next home. Haddonfield is in Camden County; Moorestown is in Burlington County. Camden County’s average effective tax rate runs meaningfully higher than Burlington County’s (roughly 3.42% vs. 2.78%), largely because county- and municipal-level costs are being spread across a different property value base.

How’s the commute into Philadelphia?

How do the schools compare?

Michala (Haddonfield): Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either district — both are excellent and consistently rank among the best in the state. What sets Haddonfield apart is walkability: the town is small enough that there’s no busing, and most kids just walk to school. For a lot of families, that’s as much a part of the appeal as the test scores.

So, Moorestown or Haddonfield?

There’s no wrong answer here, that’s really the takeaway. If you want more land, more privacy, newer construction, and lower taxes, Moorestown is a good option for you. If you want walkable charm, historic character, a PATCO stop in town, and a school district you can walk your kids to, Haddonfield delivers.

Thinking about a move to either town? Amanda and Michala both know these markets inside and out — reach out and they’re happy to help you figure out which one fits your life best.