UMDNJ-NJDS Housing

Started by MNova
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MNova

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Hi everyone,

I am most likely attending UMDNJ-NJDS in the fall of 2010. I wanted to begin considering the different housing options available.

I was interested in the 180 West Market apartments, but have been told by a friend who attended the MPH program at UMDNJ that she heard some less than great things about the apartment complex (no heat, problems with utilities, etc.) She disclaimed that she heard these things a while ago, and that things may have changed, so I was wondering if any of you who currently stay at 180 West Market, or know people who do, could share your thoughts?

I'd prefer something as close to the school as possible and that's why I was leaning toward those apartments.

Thank you!
 
MNova said:
Hi everyone,

I am most likely attending UMDNJ-NJDS in the fall of 2010. I wanted to begin considering the different housing options available.

I was interested in the 180 West Market apartments, but have been told by a friend who attended the MPH program at UMDNJ that she heard some less than great things about the apartment complex (no heat, problems with utilities, etc.) She disclaimed that she heard these things a while ago, and that things may have changed, so I was wondering if any of you who currently stay at 180 West Market, or know people who do, could share your thoughts?

I'd prefer something as close to the school as possible and that's why I was leaning toward those apartments.

Thank you!
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Anyone? Any thoughts please? Thanks 🙂
 
I think as close to school as possible would be your safest bet (in both forms of the word). I may be attending NJDS in the fall also, and I'm still not sure whether or not I would commute. I've heard pretty bad things about the area.
 
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I'm going to NJDS in the fall too. My sister who just graduated from there said alot of dental students live in Bloomfield or in Newark. I think any more than 15 mins of commuting is not suggested...
 
DmdNJ said:
I'm going to NJDS in the fall too. My sister who just graduated from there said alot of dental students live in Bloomfield or in Newark. I think any more than 15 mins of commuting is not suggested...
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Why 15 minutes? They specifically said no more than 30 on the interview, but regardless of the NJDS recommendations, I think it depends on the person.
 
MTD52 said:
Why 15 minutes? They specifically said no more than 30 on the interview, but regardless of the NJDS recommendations, I think it depends on the person.
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yeah it definitely depends on the person. They said 15 mins at my interview because 15 mins is usually best case. With traffic around 8am, it tends to get to 30 mins which would mean around an hour of traveling time back and forth.
 
I'm currently living in the apartments at UMDNJ. Yes, they are excessively expensive for what they are. Kind of small, cheaply built and furnished. Not impressed with the heating, and utility bills can be ridiculous from what I hear (mine haven't been too bad).

That being said, it's hard to beat the convenience of being 3 minutes away from class. Plus I think it is more fun living in the dorms than living off campus. Lots of D1's live in the dorms, so a lot of your social circle is always nearby.

Another good option near school is society hill. It's just a block further away. Nice apartments and reasonably priced. They also have security patrols so it is relatively safe.
 
jakey said:
I'm currently living in the apartments at UMDNJ. Yes, they are excessively expensive for what they are. Kind of small, cheaply built and furnished. Not impressed with the heating, and utility bills can be ridiculous from what I hear (mine haven't been too bad).

That being said, it's hard to beat the convenience of being 3 minutes away from class. Plus I think it is more fun living in the dorms than living off campus. Lots of D1's live in the dorms, so a lot of your social circle is always nearby.

Another good option near school is society hill. It's just a block further away. Nice apartments and reasonably priced. They also have security patrols so it is relatively safe.
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Thanks for your help Jakey!

Just one question: what do you mean when you say "not impressed with the heating?" Like does it not get warm enough in the apartments, or are there times when the heat doesn't work at all?

Thanks again!
 
They use electric heat pumps in each of the rooms. They worked well for air conditioning. But when it gets cold they hardly seem able to warm up the apartments. It's not terrible, but it's definitely on the colder side of comfortable. Some apartments are warmer then others.

Also when its cold they are very inefficient, which is why some people have ridiculous electric bills. You could just get a space heater though that works better and is more efficient, just as long as you hide it during the fire inspections.
 
if im gonna be commuting I def would not plan for it to be by car (too unpredictable). Especially being in NJ - a state that actually has a mass transit system, I would reccomend using it. With that said - it opens up the areas you can live in. You can even live in a nicer area of Jersey City or in Hoboken as long as you find an apt near the Path Train. Just maybe find a realtor that does rentals if you want someone who knows the area & transit system well to help u find what ur looking for.
 
Shake N Bake said:
if im gonna be commuting I def would not plan for it to be by car (too unpredictable). Especially being in NJ - a state that actually has a mass transit system, I would reccomend using it. With that said - it opens up the areas you can live in. You can even live in a nicer area of Jersey City or in Hoboken as long as you find an apt near the Path Train. Just maybe find a realtor that does rentals if you want someone who knows the area & transit system well to help u find what ur looking for.
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Yeah but I don't think the trains are really all that close to UMDNJ, are they? I wouldn't get an apt in JC or Hoboken because I live less than 15 miles away. If I was going to live somewhere that wasn't in Newark, it would probably be home.
 
Hey there. I commute from Jersey City via the path train to school. The commute is very easy. I live near the Grove Street Path station. The train takes about 20 minutes and then there is a free school shuttle bus (another 10-15 minutes) that picks you up outside of Newark Penn Station. The shuttle bus runs pretty regularly and I haven't had any problems getting to school yet. A lot of other people live in Hoboken, lower Manhattan, and even Queens and either drive in or take the train in.

That being said, a bunch of people live in the dorms, however, the city of Newark is not safe and if you live in the dorms there isn't even a way to walk to a market or any shops. But - you can literally roll out of bed into the school. And if you are coming to school without any friends or family close by than living in the dorms will definitely supply you with an immediate group of friends.

Good luck and see you next year!
 
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