Leisuretowne

Leisuretowne is a sprawling 55+ active adult community tucked inside New Jersey's Pinelands National Reserve — the largest forested region on the Eastern Seaboard — giving its 2,255 homes a rare backdrop of lakes, pine forests, and abundant wildlife. Orleans Homes broke ground in 1971 and wrapped construction in 1986, so this is a mature, well-established neighborhood where two-thirds of residents are 65 or older and pride in property upkeep runs deep. The community has been quietly modernizing in recent years as younger active adults move in, refresh interiors, and bring new energy to the clubs and social calendar. Homes are almost entirely single-story ranches and attached townhomes ranging from roughly 780 to 2,300 square feet, typically with two bedrooms, two baths, and a one- or two-car garage. Popular floor plans include the Haverford, Chatham, Folcroft, Ardmore, Heather, Essex, and Greenport models, many with front porches, sunrooms, and water or tree-lined views. Exteriors are primarily vinyl siding with some brick accents. Renovated homes commonly feature granite or quartz counters, updated baths, heat-pump HVAC, and hardwood or engineered-wood floors. Each household is allowed up to three residents and two pets. The social infrastructure is the real standout. Leisuretowne has four recreation buildings — anchored by Friendship Hall, Laurel Hall, and Settlers Hall — that include stages, meeting rooms, libraries, billiards, fully-equipped kitchens, fitness equipment, computers, and even a copy center. Outdoors, residents enjoy two in-ground swimming pools, a gazebo, a driving range and putting green, tennis and pickleball courts, bocce, shuffleboard, and scenic walking trails. Neighbors kayak, canoe, and fish on the community's ponds and lakes. More than 50 clubs and special-interest groups keep the calendar full, including line dancing, art, chess, quilting, bridge, Bible study, a civic league, target shooting, and second-Saturday socials. A community shuttle ferries residents to local stores and group outings. The HOA fee sits at roughly $88 per month — remarkably low for New Jersey — and covers common-area maintenance, amenities, and community bus service. Notably, exterior grounds maintenance and snow removal are the homeowner's responsibility, which helps keep dues so low. There is some conflicting information online about whether the community is gated; current residents indicate it is not a formally gated community, though it is a defined, private neighborhood with 24-hour security presence. Location is a big part of the appeal. Just off Route 70 in Burlington County, Leisuretowne is within an hour of Philadelphia, close to the Jersey Shore, and eight miles from Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly. Pinelands trails, Brendan T. Byrne State Park, the Rancocas Nature Center, and Black Run Preserve are all nearby, and grocery, pharmacy, and dining needs are covered by ACME, ShopRite, Sprouts, Whole Foods, CVS, and a variety of Route 206 restaurants. For buyers who want affordable single-story living, a genuinely active social scene, and a peaceful natural setting without moving far from the Philadelphia metro, Leisuretowne is one of South Jersey's most enduring 55+ choices.