Downtown Camden and the Waterfront (Trenton, Collingswood: renting, condos, crime)

[krazymack]

Hello,

This is my first posting, so it is a pleasure to meet you guys on the board. I am from Brooklyn, NY and thinking of relocating to Camden oddly enough. I am looking at particularly the downtown area of Camden and near the Waterfront. Not really too far inward in Camden -- maybe near the hospital (Cooper Hospital), lol. I can see a great deal of potential in the city and thinking of buying a first property there in which I will live in.

I've grown up in a very urban area Bedford Stuyvesant/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn -- which I still live now. I remember the days when it was crime ridden and now a lot of gentrification is going on here. Everyone seems to want to move here. It is rather appalling to me that Camden can be so close to a major U.S. city with convenient transportation, yet so poor and crime ridden. I would like to be optimistic and think it will definitely change years from now.

I'm a teacher and looking to change my profession and will be going back to school full time to transition into medicine. So, I need an affordable place while I go back to school. I'm looking at this experience as a sacrifice. I am single with NO children and quite good at minding my business. I work with urban children so I know what it is like to with kids that are "rough around the edges." I actually teach at the HS I graduated from which kids came from some of the largest housing projects in the country. Although crime is a slight concern it wouldn't bother me in a way if I grew up in a suburb.

I'm curious to know more about the downtown Camden and waterfront area, Is there any current residents on the board who want to share there experiences in Camden, whether moving out or not?

I would like to know is the Patco Speed Line sketchy to ride from Camden to downtown Philly. Is there a token clerk at the station or do you a buy a ticket based on the honor code? I would also like to know if there area is serviced by any cab companies (at least one) as well. Thanks in advance.

[cyntmac]

Camden is considered a "risky" investment no matter what section. There are areas of NY that have similar problems. Of course you already know that I'm sure. It has no where near what Brooklyn has to offer and you can't walk to all the great things like you can from Clinton Hill. Philly has the entertainment options, great hospitals, restaurants, etc. You will be missing Brooklyn for sure-but Clinton Hill has gotten really expensive now I guess.

You would have to do much research before making a decision. Hopefully you are already familiar with urban populations and problems. Camden does not support a do-gooder mentality very well. If you are already a survivor so to speak -check out some websites and of course take many trips there. One website I have seen is camdenredevelopment.com and it seems to concern itself with and be run by some actual Camden residents.

[cyntmac]

I might add I do not know about the transit but Camden is a small city. If you wish to invest there the MYOB attitude may not serve you well. That is something to reevaluate because if you decide to buy-you will want to have some sense of community and it may not be easy to come by. Unfortunately there is no Clinton Hill like section of Camden and the crime is a very real issue. Clinton Hill is an excellent area-I have lived in Ft Greene myself and it is a very different story in Camden as far as walking around and feeling safe.

[krazymack]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

Camden is considered a "risky" investment no matter what section. There are areas of NY that have similar problems. Of course you already know that I'm sure. It has no where near what Brooklyn has to offer and you can't walk to all the great things like you can from Clinton Hill. Philly has the entertainment options, great hospitals, restaurants, etc. You will be missing Brooklyn for sure-but Clinton Hill has gotten really expensive now I guess.

Thank you for the mention of the redevelopment website. Yes my mom is selling out her multifamily brownstone. But she will be downsizing and moving to another part of the city, I don't know where yet. So, I have to find somewhere to go. You are absolutely right that Clinton Hill has gotten ridiculous and it is just making me puke of thinking about of money that I would have to fork out and waste on rent.

But the good thing I will always have the option of coming back to Brooklyn and hanging out every weekend. I've visited Camden twice and it didn't bother me much, but I definitely have to do some more research. Thanks so much for your reply.

[krazymack]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

I might add I do not know about the transit but Camden is a small city. If you wish to invest there the MYOB attitude may not serve you well. That is something to reevaluate because if you decide to buy-you will want to have some sense of community and it may not be easy to come by. Unfortunately there is no Clinton Hill like section of Camden and the crime is a very real issue. Clinton Hill is an excellent area-I have lived in Ft Greene myself and it is a very different story in Camden as far as walking around and feeling safe.

Well, I don't feel I am getting a "sense of community" where I'm at right now. I live on the border line of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy it is somewhat sketchy (very safe for the most part) but is getting to be a highly sought out area. I live on a very main road so I never really had neighbors that I could call friends. So I'm used to living in solitude. I kind of prefer it that way based on the way that I've grown up -- I don't want much individuals to know about my personal life in the area that I choose to live.

All of the external things and "cookie cutter" living do not really matter to me, I'm somewhat of an introvert anyway.

[njprintman]

Originally Posted by krazymack

Hello,

This is my first posting, so it is a pleasure to meet you guys on the board. I am from Brooklyn, NY and thinking of relocating to Camden oddly enough. I am looking at particularly the downtown area of Camden and near the Waterfront. Not really too far inward in Camden -- maybe near the hospital (Cooper Hospital), lol. I can see a great deal of potential in the city and thinking of buying a first property there in which I will live in.

I've grown up in a very urban area Bedford Stuyvesant/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn -- which I still live now. I remember the days when it was crime ridden and now a lot of gentrification is going on here. Everyone seems to want to move here. It is rather appalling to me that Camden can be so close to a major U.S. city with convenient transportation, yet so poor and crime ridden. I would like to be optimistic and think it will definitely change years from now.

I'm a teacher and looking to change my profession and will be going back to school full time to transition into medicine. So, I need an affordable place while I go back to school. I'm looking at this experience as a sacrifice. I am single with NO children and quite good at minding my business. I work with urban children so I know what it is like to with kids that are "rough around the edges." I actually teach at the HS I graduated from which kids came from some of the largest housing projects in the country. Although crime is a slight concern it wouldn't bother me in a way if I grew up in a suburb.

I'm curious to know more about the downtown Camden and waterfront area, Is there any current residents on the board who want to share there experiences in Camden, whether moving out or not?

I would like to know is the Patco Speed Line sketchy to ride from Camden to downtown Philly. Is there a token clerk at the station or do you a buy a ticket based on the honor code? I would also like to know if there area is serviced by any cab companies (at least one) as well. Thanks in advance.

Krazy,
There are few people on this forum who don't like me much 'cause we are hoping to move to NC in a couple months. We kind of bash NJ daily.
However...............I spent 29yrs on, and still work for the Camden Police Dept, so maybe I can give you some info.
If you can handle Bed/Sty..........you can handle Camden.
You may want to check out the Victor Building. Condos. Don't know the rents but my understanding is that they are not BAD at all.
Right on the waterfront. The light rail line is just outside the front door. Goes to Trenton.........thru Camden, past the High Speed line connection.
The High Speed Line is usually on time and quick.
You would be abut half a mile from the Ben Franklin Bridge which takes you to Philly. You will be within walking distance to the Tweeter Center, Aquarium, baseball field etc.
There are about six million cab companies in Camden.
There isn't a whole lot of daily shopping and daily living amenities in Camden. It is a short drive from small towns with great shopping and restaurants. Collingswood, Haddonfield etc.
There hasn't been a "downtown" Camden in 25yrs.
The waterfront area (Victor condos) is real nice and safe. Lots of cops working OT.
My big complaint about NJ has been my big complaint for years and years. The taxes are insane and the political corruption is the biggest contributor. Democrats or Republicans? They are equal opportunity corruptors.
With that said.
For a person with your background and "beliefs"?
You could do worse than Camden.
I sure hope you aren't Mayor Faison, or another politician, hoping that posting on this forum will gather interest in lovely "downtown" Camden.
Wouldn't that be sad?
Or expected.
Denny
Woodlynne NJ

[cyntmac]

The MYOB refers to buying in Camden. If you are renting only it will not be an issue for you. But buying there is a gamble even though I'm sure you will evaluate the risk factor on the different neighborhoods. If you want your street to remain safe and somewhat desirable-you will need some neighborhood unity in a place like Camden. You don't necessarily have to start a neighborhood watch but an informal network of the homeowners on your street will be key to its renewal.

[krazymack]

Originally Posted by njprintman

Krazy,
There are few people on this forum who don't like me much 'cause we are hoping to move to NC in a couple months. We kind of bash NJ daily.
However...............I spent 29yrs on, and still work for the Camden Police Dept, so maybe I can give you some info.
If you can handle Bed/Sty..........you can handle Camden.
You may want to check out the Victor Building. Condos. Don't know the rents but my understanding is that they are not BAD at all.
Right on the waterfront. The light rail line is just outside the front door. Goes to Trenton.........thru Camden, past the High Speed line connection.
The High Speed Line is usually on time and quick.
You would be abut half a mile from the Ben Franklin Bridge which takes you to Philly. You will be within walking distance to the Tweeter Center, Aquarium, baseball field etc.
There are about six million cab companies in Camden.
There isn't a whole lot of daily shopping and daily living amenities in Camden. It is a short drive from small towns with great shopping and restaurants. Collingswood, Haddonfield etc.
There hasn't been a "downtown" Camden in 25yrs.
The waterfront area (Victor condos) is real nice and safe. Lots of cops working OT.
My big complaint about NJ has been my big complaint for years and years. The taxes are insane and the political corruption is the biggest contributor. Democrats or Republicans? They are equal opportunity corruptors.
With that said.
For a person with your background and "beliefs"?
You could do worse than Camden.
I sure hope you aren't Mayor Faison, or another politician, hoping that posting on this forum will gather interest in lovely "downtown" Camden.
Wouldn't that be sad?
Or expected.
Denny
Woodlynne NJ

Thank you so much for the reply Denny. I can assure you that I'm not Mayor Faison. Honestly!!! But, the whole location and setup just dawned on me. I truly appreciate your summary of the area. Thank you again.

I truly respect the commitment you made to serving on the Camden police force. At the large Bed-Stuy high school that I currently teach, at times I feel like I'm a cop there. I've had a kid lit up marijuana in my classroom. I've dealt with student fights, weapons, vulgarity, and profanity. All from the toughest kids that no one doesn't want to deal with.

I feel very militant as a teacher and sometimes I walk around my school with a 'stone cold' mean look on my face and my students get the drift because they don't want to mess with me. LOL! So urban America is second nature to me. Again, thanks for giving me the heads up on this area of Camden and will definitely be looking into it.

[cyntmac]

If Mr Faison is behind posting this- I hope he realizes that most people on here will end up even more neg on his town when they find out he is clowning them.

[krazymack]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

The MYOB refers to buying in Camden. If you are renting only it will not be an issue for you. But buying there is a gamble even though I'm sure you will evaluate the risk factor on the different neighborhoods. If you want your street to remain safe and somewhat desirable-you will need some neighborhood unity in a place like Camden. You don't necessarily have to start a neighborhood watch but an informal network of the homeowners on your street will be key to its renewal.

That is an excellent point, you are right. I never thought of it that way. It will be great to have a few residents on the block I reside in with the same vision of safety and renewal of the area, if there is any. My experience with other urban residents is that they tend to be divisive. But I'll try to do my part on my own in anyway I can.