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I'm thinking of applying to grad school at Rutgers-Camden next fall. I'm a Southern Ohio boy, however, and like everyone else I've heard horror stories about the crime in Camden. I guess what I'm wondering is if there's an affordable place to live, within easy driving distance of Rutgers, where I wouldn't have to pass through the high-crime areas on my way to and from school. (Especially as most of my classes will probably be in the evening).
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Originally Posted by BonyT
Hey all,
I'm thinking of applying to grad school at Rutgers-Camden next fall. I'm a Southern Ohio boy, however, and like everyone else I've heard horror stories about the crime in Camden. I guess what I'm wondering is if there's an affordable place to live, within easy driving distance of Rutgers, where I wouldn't have to pass through the high-crime areas on my way to and from school. (Especially as most of my classes will probably be in the evening).
Any insights would be much appreciated!
Most of the suburban towns would be just fine. It would depend on what specifics you want. If you will be commuting to a job, that might make a difference.
I would be taking classes and teaching at Rutgers. If I need additional work I would probably look in Philly, I guess.
Here in Ohio you can get a 1-bedroom for anywhere from $325/mo. (private renters), to $450 (low-end complex), to $550 or so (swankier complex). How does that compare to, say, the New Jersey suburbs close to Rutgers?
I'd be tickled pink to live in Haddonfield, since I'm a horror buff and that's the town Michael Myers is from.
The apartments are very nice, spacious and modern, offering a rare view of Philly. The price is decent, for the amenities and sheer convenience of being a block away from the school and being in the center of major transportation hub.
You'd also be a block away from Patco, which can take you to Philadelphia or shop towns, such as Collingswood and Haddonfield 24 hours a day. I believe the Walter Rand station is near there, too... Offering access to the Riverline, which transfers to a direct line to Manhattan OR take NJ transit to AC. You'll have no time to study with taking all these trips around South Jersey and Philly, haha.
My cousin lived in a lower-end complex in Somerdale, which is a suburb of Camden (maybe 15-20 minutes away?) and her rent was in the mid-$700s with heat and hot water included. That's pretty standard for that area of South Jersey. You won't be able to touch $325/month unless you rented a room in someone's house or something, and even that is highly unlikely. Check craigslist for available apartments. I've heard good things about Collingswood... it's on the PATCO line which runs through Camden into Philly and is only a 15-minute train ride to Philly. I think Haddonfield may be out of reach on a student's budget, since the area is like the Princeton of South Jersey, but I could be wrong. Good luck!
That grad housing is definitely worth looking into... seems expensive at first blush, but once you figure in the cost of heat, electricity, cable, internet, and so on, it's probably the equivalent of paying $750-850/mo. at a place those things aren't included.
I'm hearing a lot about this PATCO line. (Train? Bus?) How much does that cost to ride? I'll most likely have a car, so there's no reason I should be dependent on public transportation, in theory. Is that something most folks ride anyway? Is parking a pain in the area or something?
To be honest, if you are not even comfortable "passing through" the high-crime areas, going to school at Rutgers-Camden may not be a great idea. The area around the school is safer, but it's still Camden and you still have to drive through other parts of it to get to Rutgers.
But speaking of driving, you won't really need to take PATCO (train) to school. But parking is a pain in Philly if you go there to work (or play) in which case PATCO is useful
And as orangenj stated, be prepared to pay significantly higher than the prices you mentioned.
I would be taking classes and teaching at Rutgers. If I need additional work I would probably look in Philly, I guess.
Here in Ohio you can get a 1-bedroom for anywhere from $325/mo. (private renters), to $450 (low-end complex), to $550 or so (swankier complex). How does that compare to, say, the New Jersey suburbs close to Rutgers?
I'd be tickled pink to live in Haddonfield, since I'm a horror buff and that's the town Michael Myers is from.
In the book he is from Haddonfield NJ, in movie he is from Haddonfield Illinois. You can probably live in Philly and commute in.
Oh yeah, I knew it would be more expensive. Was just wondering by how much.
Where are the worst areas of Camden, crime-wise? North, south, east?
Yes. The area around City Hall, the campus and the waterfront with the aquarium, etc. is OK. Everything else is not good, bad or worse.
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