``We looked at a lot of different places,'' she said. ``We loved the woods here - it reminds us of camping, which we used to do a lot. And the apartment is really big.''
Bill DiBernardino, 22, a mechanic for Acme markets, was impressed with the size of his apartment, too. ``My girlfriend picked it out. We had looked everywhere, and this one-bedroom is a lot bigger than most one bedrooms for the price,'' he said. ``We also liked all the trees.''
Built in 1974 on 33 acres by the Bleznak Organization, which continues to own and operate the complex, the Village of Stoney Run is less than 10 minutes from Route 70 and the Betsy Ross Bridge and 15 minutes from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.
The rustic-looking three-level buildings have exterior stairwells, wooden siding painted in muted colors, and brick walls in the entrance alcoves. There are no sidewalks: Wooden bollards along the streets, railroad ties around the beds, sections of brick pavers, and an occasional wooden bridge to a building complement the natural setting. There's even a pond (a retention basin) that flows into Pennsauken Creek, which borders the property.
There are two sections at the Village. The units in Section I have oil heat, which is included in the monthly rent of $667 to $880. In Section II, the units have gas heat, and tenants pay their own utilities. Rent in this section is $637 to $850 a month.
Four spacious designs are offered: The one-bedroom unit has 960 square feet; the one bedroom plus den, 980; the deluxe one bedroom (den and wood-burning fireplace), 1,130; and the two-bedroom unit, 1,230.
All have a balcony or a patio with an external utility room. Every apartment, even the smallest, also has a distinct foyer and a dining room. Each two-bedroom and deluxe one-bedroom apartment has a full-size washer and dryer. Other buildings have coin-operated laundry facilities. Some kitchens feature a breakfast/snack bar. All units have one full bath, and the two-bedroom units have a powder room. Blinds cover the windows.
Recreational facilities at Stoney Run include a swimming pool, a tennis court, a basketball court, and bicycle and jogging trails that wind around the community.
Some pets are allowed, including cats and certain breeds of dogs, for an extra $15 per month.
The typical resident is between 28 and 40 years old and stays two to three years. Some have been living here for as long as 20 years, according to Pat Gotta, who has managed and lived at the Village of Stoney Run since its inception.
``I like the setting,'' said Bill Mollenhauer, a painter. He and his wife, Martie, an educator, have lived at the Village of Stoney Run for about 1 1/2 years and have found maintenance to be good.
``They're very attentive,'' he said, adding that he hasn't experienced any big problems. ``I recommend it.''
Paloscio said her experience had been similar: not a lot of problems, and responsive management. ``And when the washer broke, we got a brand new one.''
Bill DiBernardino, who has lived at Stoney Run since the end of summer, agreed: ``I had a couple of small things to be fixed when I moved in, and they were taken care of the next day.''
THE DETAILS Name: Village of Stoney Run.
Phone: 609-234-3223.
Address: Route 73, Maple Shade.
Type of housing: Rental garden flats.
Number of units: 446.
Rental range: $637 to $880 (one and two bedrooms).
Management: Bleznak Organization.
Amenities: Washer and dryer in each two-bedroom and deluxe one-bedroom unit; coin-op laundry in other buildings; oil heat included in rent of selected buildings and gas heat, paid by tenant, in others; patio or balcony in each unit; swim club, tennis court, and basketball court, bike and jogging trails.
Pet policy: Cats and certain dog breeds allowed; $15/month.
Shopping: Moorestown Mall, two-minute drive; food market, two-minute drive.
Public transportation: New Jersey Transit bus, walking distance; Trailways bus station, one-minute drive; PATCO High-Speed Line, 10-minute drive.
Directions: In New Jersey, take I-295 to Exit 36B. Follow Route 73 north for about a quarter-mile to the Village of Stoney Run, on the left.
