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I'm going to be a first year grad student next year at the Bloustein School which is located right in downtown New Brunswick. I'm interested in getting a studio apartment for as dirt cheap as possible, but don't even know where to begin looking. I'd love to be able to walk to class butt downtown New Brunswick seemed very yuppieish when I visited so I'm guessing it's pretty expensive. Anyone have any advice for how/where to begin looking? Also, what would be a reasonable price for a cheap studio apartment that isn't in a sketchy neighborhood?
i remember alot of places behind sears and the other apartment complex on the other side of it from route 18 being under 1,000 a month (3 years ago) the rutgers busses run all year long and dont require an RU id to use. basically if you follow george street and easton ave you are fine in terms of getting around. the further away from the river you get the cheaper it is (a little more "urban" as well). when you say dirt cheap what are range are you in. Also, check out craigslist, since new brunswick is a college town there are alot of people looking for a roommate.
You should search the Rutgers Off Campus Housing website. I graduated many moons ago so I don't remember it off hand, but that is a good start.
For Bloustein, the cheapest grad-student friendly place would be Highland Park (right over the Albany Street bridge). If you were at Bloustein, you would walk north on George and then make a right on Albany (aka Route 27).
My friend rented an apartment in a little brown brick apartment building right over the bridge and was pay $900 something. It was 1BR and included a parking spot (a really nice perk as you will find out) and walking distance to NB. There are other places in that area. If you're OK with a bus ride, the free RU bus runs along Cedar Lane, and there are some apartment complexes in the 1k range.There are also a decent amount of grad students and professors in Highland Park generally.
The downtown complexes (Highlands, Riverwatch, etc) are going to run 1500+ for a one bedroom.
Your other alternative is to be among the students. You can probably get a 1 bedroom or studio somewhere in the 5th or 6th ward (essentially the area north of Somerset Street, east of Louis, south of Bucculeuch Park, and west of the river). The only downside maybe some noise. There is one complex, Birchwood (IIRC) that is on Louis and Hamilton and may have places in your range. The further west on Hamilton/Somerset, the more questionable the area can become. Just make sure you're on a student block. The areas closest to Easton are usually the safest
I would *not* live in one of the complexes in NB otherwise. My friend had a racoon push through the wall while he was in shower in one of them. You are either downtown or with the students in NB.
Rutgers and New Brunswick are fabulous places and I can't think of a better time to be part of it all...enjoy it! GO KNIGHTS!
Hmmm, yah, I read a few threads on here about New Brunswick and it sounds like I may have only seen the good parts. I'm from central Maine by way of rustbelt New York so I guess I was just impressed by all the shiny new buildings downtown.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penga25
i remember alot of places behind sears and the other apartment complex on the other side of it from route 18 being under 1,000 a month (3 years ago) the rutgers busses run all year long and dont require an RU id to use. basically if you follow george street and easton ave you are fine in terms of getting around. the further away from the river you get the cheaper it is (a little more "urban" as well). when you say dirt cheap what are range are you in. Also, check out craigslist, since new brunswick is a college town there are alot of people looking for a roommate.
Cool thanks. When I say dirt cheap, I was hoping to get a studio or 1br for under 800 a month. It looks like that may not be possible in this area though so let's say under 1,000.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScarletKnightJet
You should search the Rutgers Off Campus Housing website. I graduated many moons ago so I don't remember it off hand, but that is a good start.
For Bloustein, the cheapest grad-student friendly place would be Highland Park (right over the Albany Street bridge). If you were at Bloustein, you would walk north on George and then make a right on Albany (aka Route 27).
My friend rented an apartment in a little brown brick apartment building right over the bridge and was pay $900 something. It was 1BR and included a parking spot (a really nice perk as you will find out) and walking distance to NB. There are other places in that area. If you're OK with a bus ride, the free RU bus runs along Cedar Lane, and there are some apartment complexes in the 1k range.There are also a decent amount of grad students and professors in Highland Park generally.
The downtown complexes (Highlands, Riverwatch, etc) are going to run 1500+ for a one bedroom.
Your other alternative is to be among the students. You can probably get a 1 bedroom or studio somewhere in the 5th or 6th ward (essentially the area north of Somerset Street, east of Louis, south of Bucculeuch Park, and west of the river). The only downside maybe some noise. There is one complex, Birchwood (IIRC) that is on Louis and Hamilton and may have places in your range. The further west on Hamilton/Somerset, the more questionable the area can become. Just make sure you're on a student block. The areas closest to Easton are usually the safest
I would *not* live in one of the complexes in NB otherwise. My friend had a racoon push through the wall while he was in shower in one of them. You are either downtown or with the students in NB.
Rutgers and New Brunswick are fabulous places and I can't think of a better time to be part of it all...enjoy it! GO KNIGHTS!
Thanks! I'll check out highland park. would living in the student areas be a lot cheaper than living downtown? I'm just worried most of the housing in student areas has already been leased for next year by now.
Also, I notice a lot of people mention taking the bus. Is it difficult to find parking downtown if I'd prefer to drive my own car?
Last edited by Planner15; 04-01-2013 at 01:20 PM..
Parking downtown sucks. It's also expensive. Use the buses. Student housing is expensive and usually not in the best shape. Stay around the colleges for safe areas. I don't know how that complex on 18 is at the present. A few years ago, it wasn't upmarket.
Use the Rutgers off campus housing site to get a feel for things. I also recommend Highland Park for grad
students. The undergrads tend to be a party hearty crowd. If you have a car, there are several complexes on the north end of town you could check out. They are directly across the river from the above complex. No bus (rutgers) connection though.
The student areas are cheaper than downtown. Parking in NB is expensive and bad, mostly because the city has a really backwards alternate side ordinance.
Also there are plenty of yuppies downtown. The prices- rent, restaurants, drinks- are quite indicative of that. Plenty of people from RU stay on after graduation and plenty of other people move in. It's not Hoboken but it certainly has some great perks for people after graduation as well.
I would say you could get a place under $1100 in Highland Park, maybe a studio for that price in a student area.
New Brunswick is a great city and college town. Without getting too political, let's just say that's where the problems stem. Like any city, it has its bad parts, but they are very easily avoided. South of Albany street, stick to George Street and the surrounding blocks to Joyce Kilmer; south of New, stick to George Street.
I lived in NYC and live in JC now and NB was fine prep for that.
New Brunswick is also heavily Hispanic if that matters to you, but you should be able to find something in your budget either in the city or in Highland Park
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