NJ People - Help the Geographically Challenged Canuck Please

[jillc]

Okay,

So I'm planning the trip in Dec. Greenbaum's assistant advised me to land in Philadelphia International. That was confusing until I looked on a map. I didn't realize that Philadelphia and NJ were that close together.

She's emailed me a list of hotels that they have a deal with. All of them are in Mt Laurel, NJ. Now, from the website it looks like the hospital is in Moorestown, NJ. Am I wrong?

I'm trying to find a good hotel with a kitchenette so my mother won't go crazy from eating out. None of the recommended hotels even seem to have microwaves in them.

But also, why are the hotels in Mt Laurel? I'm Google Mapping and it's not making sense to me. Could someone help me out?

 

[Elizabeth N.]

How well does your mom handle driving in traffic? That's the first question to answer.

I would suggest flying into Newark. It's a couple miles further but the driving access is a LOT simpler. You just get on the NJ Turnpike southbound and get off at exit 4, 5, 6 or 7 depending on where you plan to stay.

Moorestown and Mt. Laurel are separated by a couple of highways is all. Literally one side of the street or the other. Take a look at this Residence Inn: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phlrl-residence-inn-mt-laurel-at-bishops-gate/. It's ten minutes from his office, 15 minutes from the hospital.

Another possibility is this Extended Stay America, which is a little further away from both office and hospital but still very drivable if you are unafraid of a little traffic. http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/pa/philadelphia/mt-laurel-crawford-place

Depending on how much money you want to spend, there are also a couple of B&B's in locations that Dr. G.'s office would not recommend out of fear/bias toward the communities in which they are located, but they are very nice places and the owners would take good care of you and your mom.

http://www.innatfernbrookfarms.com/ ----> closest to yours truly *g*
http://www.isaachilliardhouse.com/
http://www.thelilyinn.com/

If you want to go CHEAP, there is a mom and pop motel in my town where you would be treated quite well and you would be perfectly safe. I have seen the rooms, which were recently renovated, am acquainted with the owner and have had a number of guests stay there. Every room has fridge, microwave, full bath and wi-fi.

I have to let you know, however, that a chunk of their business comes from emergency housing and temporary housing clients. This really bothers some people. I am acquainted with three or four such people who live there and know them to be quiet, respectful folks, but can't speak for everyone who lives there. I *do* know that the owner evicts clients who cause trouble (cuz he's done that to a few clients my employer has placed there *g*).

PM me if you'd like to talk more about that option.

I would advise you to NOT choose a place to stay in the Mt. Holly or Pemberton or Hainesport areas, basically anywhere along the Route 38 corridor, without talking to someone local (like yours truly or @Barb) first.

 

[jillc]

Thanks @Elizabeth N., your advice is very much appreciated. You're filling in the gaps for me. There are many more flights to Newark so that will be an easy change.


I just got off the phone with my mother, who is getting a lot more cautious as she gets older. The driving thing is intimidating her. It wouldn't have 10 years ago, but she's not as sure of herself as she used to be.

So we've sort of compromised. I'll fly in first, rent a car, and pick her up (I'm flying from Calgary, and she's flying from Palm Springs). Then we'll drive to the hotel. Then we'll map out the route to the hospital and see if she's comfortable driving. If she's not, she's going to cab it. I'm sure she'll be fine, but she just needs me to show her where to go.

If not, how much is a 15 minute cab ride in that area, do you know?

Cost is not an issue (well, it's an issue but I've budgeted for it), and although the B&B's would definitely be something I'd do if I were on my own, I don't think my mother would be comfortable and that's my main concern. She's an old lefty but a lefty of her generation. So the Extended Stay or the Marriott will probably be our choices.

And then I get to recuperate in Palm Springs once I get clearance!

 

[Elizabeth N.]

I would be delighted to connect with you as soon as you get here and lead you both through the appropriate routes. I know NJ is intimidating and I can guide you through simple backroad shortcuts that are far more country person friendly than the main traffic arteries.

of those two places, the Marriott location is a lot easier to navigate from, not just for hospital and office but for everything you might need. Dr. G's office is across the street from a wonderful shopping center with loads of stores, including the regional supermarket gem, wegmans.

 

[jillc]

Thanks @Elizabeth N. . She'll appreciate that and so will I. She does drive, and drive fairly well. She can drive in Calgary and Palm Springs, but she knows both of those cities.

 

[Barbara]

Jill-- I can get you from Philadelphia International Airport to My. Laurel w/o problem. It is MUCH closer than Newark. By a lot! Just something to consider.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

@Barbara: They have to be able to drive, and from Newark to Mt. Laurel compared to Philly-Mt. Laurel is MASSIVELY simpler to navigate for non-city folks who've never been in our area. Newark airport to their hotel is turnpike-295-38 (I always have people take exit 7--slightly longer miles wise, but infinitely easier to understand). Philly airport to their hotel? Um....LOTS more complicated. To add to the misery, Greenbaum's office sends everyone across the Walt Whitman, which is just STOOOOOPID. They also insist on using that batch of hotels around the hell that is turnpike/295/73/Church Road.

Trust me, I was once a foreigner . I've been lost in probably every incorporated community in Burlington County--and a few that are unincorporated, for that matter....

 

[Barbara]

@Elizabeth N. I will surrender to superior knowledge. I've only ever done Philly to Cherry Hill so I know it best. I hope to meet you and Jill while she's here.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

@Elizabeth N. I will surrender to superior knowledge. I've only ever done Philly to Cherry Hill so I know it best. I hope to meet you and Jill while she's here.

LOL! Spoken like a true native . I started selling Mary Kay within a couple months of moving to NJ and traveled from Princeton to Paulsboro and Bordentown/Hamilton to the shore for parties, since I had no clue where anything was. At least I had great tax writeoffs for mileage that first year!

 

[Barbara]

LOL!

 

[jillc]

Sorry for the delay in replying @Barbara - I appreciate the advice but since we are newbies to the area and my Mother is going to be driving to the hospital, I also bowed down and thanked @Elizabeth N. for her input and went with the Newark advice.

I've been off work and, (mostly) avoiding the internets and caught up on sleep last week. I used to work as an RMT, so I've also been trading massages with the local massage therapist - which is painful but so worth it. And this week has been pre-op testing, too. Got a cardiologist clearance yesterday - yay!

Now I'll book my flight and arrange for the car.

I talked to Dr. G's office today to make sure my pre-op appointment was correct as it's on Black Friday. So, I'll be flying in on Thanksgiving. More specifically US Thanksgiving since Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (the 13th this year). And since I'm not much of a shopper, I've never gone down to the States for Black Friday shopping.

Good news, yep the date is correct, although the woman I talked to didn't seem all that happy about it.

 

[Barbara]

Sorry for the delay in replying @Barbara - I appreciate the advice but since we are newbies to the area and my Mother is going to be driving to the hospital, I also bowed down and thanked @Elizabeth N. for her input and went with the Newark advice.

I've been off work and, (mostly) avoiding the internets and caught up on sleep last week. I used to work as an RMT, so I've also been trading massages with the local massage therapist - which is painful but so worth it. And this week has been pre-op testing, too. Got a cardiologist clearance yesterday - yay!

Now I'll book my flight and arrange for the car.

I talked to Dr. G's office today to make sure my pre-op appointment was correct as it's on Black Friday. So, I'll be flying in on Thanksgiving. More specifically US Thanksgiving since Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (the 13th this year). And since I'm not much of a shopper, I've never gone down to the States for Black Friday shopping.

Good news, yep the date is correct, although the woman I talked to didn't seem all that happy about it.

 

[Barbara]

No worries jill. As long as you and your mom get here safely. Whatever you need while your herejust let me know. I am happy to help wherever I can.

 

[jillc]

Thanks @Barbara I really appreciate it.

Update for me. I am having the last of my pre-op testing tomorrow. With the exception of blood work that I'm going to get before the surgery, that is Booked the flight to NJ as it's Thanksgiving Day in the US the date I fly out. So decided to book before the people who haven't booked for Thanksgiving travel yet decided to cheap it out and travel on Thanksgiving
Haven't booked a return yet. WIll be flying to Palm Springs as that's where my parents winter. I'm grateful for that as it will be easier to get mobile when I don't have to worry about slipping on the ice
Getting excited now. Will be more sh*t scared closer to the time...

 

[Elizabeth N.]

YAY! I would LOVE to get together with you on Black Friday :-D.....Just not for breakfast, since traffic to the malls will be worst in the morning. (New Jersey is officially the Garden State, but its second nickname is Land of the Malls.)