Care to Share on Camden, please (Philadelphia, Westmont: school, university, to live)

[solibs]

I wouldn't live in Camden. It's fine to go the waterfront/downtown for school or work but there's nothing going on and, more importantly, there's no grocery store. My brother goes to Rutgers and has been living there for 4 years now. Unless he needs the most basic items he has to get on the subway to Center City. I do happy hour with him at the Victor every once in a while and there's a newish bar at 3rd & Market St. , and there's the dive of dive's - Hank's. That's it. No restaurants, no shops, nada.

That, and for what you get, the rents are not at all cheap.

Collingswood or Center City/University City is what I'd suggest.

I think it's been mentioned before but Collingswood isn't very diverse in a racial sense. It's around 90% non-hispanic white. OTOH, there are a lot of same sex couples. A lot. It's a pretty welcoming town regardless of who you are. It is a dry town, though. All the restaurants are BYO. No bars. If you want to go out you have to do it in the city (not much going on in the 'burbs anyway).

[Philly Dave]

Don't move to Camden, no matter what you do! It is a war zone with the exception of about 2 blocks around the Rutgers campus. Even if you did plan to attend Camden-Rutgers, you should get an apartment somewhere else, such as Collingswood, and then take the short train ride to the city. And even walking a few blocks from the train station to the campus is not safe. Your best bet - if you're only considering public universities - is to go to Temple in Philadelphia, which is a better university than Rutgers anyway. And even then, you should either live on campus or get an apartment in another affordable part of the city, such as the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. If you have a little more cash and/or don't mind having a roommate, then living in Center City or Olde City are much better. (You can also do a reverse commute from Philadelphia to Camden by train if you end up choosing Rutgers.) Finally, if you have the grades, you might consider programs at either Villanova (in the suburbs) or at Drexel or the University of Pennsylvania (both in the city).

[Gerania]

If you think that what they do to people in Camden is bad, and it is, you should see what they do to their dogs. compassion for camden the mean streets

I am NOT kidding when I say do not look if you're squeamish.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren, the animals, is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them whenever they require it... If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."

~Saint Francis of Assisi

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by solibs

I wouldn't live in Camden. It's fine to go the waterfront/downtown for school or work but there's nothing going on and, more importantly, there's no grocery store. My brother goes to Rutgers and has been living there for 4 years now. Unless he needs the most basic items he has to get on the subway to Center City. I do happy hour with him at the Victor every once in a while and there's a newish bar at 3rd & Market St. , and there's the dive of dive's - Hank's. That's it. No restaurants, no shops, nada.

Have you been over to the 20 Horse Tavern over on 2nd St? Nice little place.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Philly Dave

Don't move to Camden, no matter what you do! It is a war zone with the exception of about 2 blocks around the Rutgers campus.

A lot of Camden is bad. Not all of it is a war zone.

Even if you did plan to attend Camden-Rutgers, you should get an apartment somewhere else, such as Collingswood, and then take the short train ride to the city. And even walking a few blocks from the train station to the campus is not safe. Your best bet - if you're only considering public universities - is to go to Temple in Philadelphia, which is a better university than Rutgers anyway.

Having gone to both schools . . . Temple is most certainly not a better school than Rutgers. I wouldn't even go so far as to say that the Temple campus is safer. But don't take my word for it. Google any of the rankings.

And even then, you should either live on campus or get an apartment in another affordable part of the city, such as the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. If you have a little more cash and/or don't mind having a roommate, then living in Center City or Olde City are much better. (You can also do a reverse commute from Philadelphia to Camden by train if you end up choosing Rutgers.) Finally, if you have the grades, you might consider programs at either Villanova (in the suburbs) or at Drexel or the University of Pennsylvania (both in the city).

'nova and Drexel, fine schools that they are, are not in the same league as Penn.

[Sassygirl18]

5 words: avoid Camden like the plague. It's a very poor, dangerous and mostly run-down city.

There are many towns in Camden County that are nice, but just avoid the city of Camden.

If you give us more specifics of what you're looking for (i.e. budget, etc.) we can probably give you more specific advice.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by solibs

'nova and Drexel, fine schools that they are, are not in the same league as Penn.

It depends on the programs for those three schools. I went to Villanova undergrad and Penn grad. Again, all three have their strengths and weaknesses. Just because Penn is "Ivy League" doesn't make it better in all curriculums. The Philly area is blessed with many fine universities.

[Philly Dave]

Originally Posted by solibs

A lot of Camden is bad. Not all of it is a war zone.

All parts of Camden that are within a short distance of the Rutgers campus are a war zone (other than the campus itself and a small perimeter). I agree that neighborhoods on the edge of the city are halfway decent, but the original poster will likely not live in Fairview Village while attending Rutgers.

Originally Posted by solibs

Having gone to both schools . . . Temple is most certainly not a better school than Rutgers. I wouldn't even go so far as to say that the Temple campus is safer. But don't take my word for it. Google any of the rankings.

I Googled the rankings, and I was shocked to see that Rutgers does generally have better rankings than Temple. However, I still believe that Rutgers' Camden campus does not have nearly the panache that the main campus has. And for that reason, I think that Temple and Rutgers-Camden are viewed as near-equals in the Philadelphia area. (And I also believe that Temple has a safer campus, although I agree that it is still fairly dangerous.)

Originally Posted by solibs

'nova and Drexel, fine schools that they are, are not in the same league as Penn.

I never said that Villanova and Drexel were in the same league as Penn. (And as a Penn grad, I appreciate you recognizing my alma mater's distinction.)

[orrmobl]

Does Rutgers have a strong alumni network like Temple? Since I have to ask, I'm guessing the answer is no...

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by Philly Dave

I never said that Villanova and Drexel were in the same league as Penn. (And as a Penn grad, I appreciate you recognizing my alma mater's distinction.)

Well Drexel is not in the same league as Villanova. As far as Penn goes, yeah, its got Wharton and that's great, I went there too, but in areas like engineering, nursing and arts Villanova compares well.