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Rusty_Ferberger t1_j8b340o wrote

Do people really move to Camden?

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PositiveCapital9987 OP t1_j8b36sg wrote

I am

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Rusty_Ferberger t1_j8b3uza wrote

Ok...do some Googleing and I am sure you will see lots if "highest crime rate in America" and "most dangerous cities in America". If that's what you're into, it's you're kind of place.

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PositiveCapital9987 OP t1_j8b3y8e wrote

What’s worse Philly or Camden?

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cerialthriller t1_j8bcfg2 wrote

Philly has a couple of decent areas, Camden does not

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zac987 t1_j8dbye8 wrote

This is such a goofy response. Philly is vastly better than Camden in every way, and you know that.

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cerialthriller t1_j8ddhcp wrote

Did you read what I wrote and think I said Camden was better?

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PeaceDawgg12 t1_j8f81bm wrote

You've never been to Camden if you don't think there are decent areas. Most of East Camden is fine.

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peter-doubt t1_j8b97fg wrote

Camden.. parts of Philly offer some competition.

You might want to look up River along the River Line.... cheap commute to downtown Camden, patco station right there. There's Some sweet places north of Pennsauken.

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PraiseLoptous t1_j8e2erw wrote

Philly has rich parts, but the ghettos in Philly are so much worse than camden. Camden is just very dead and depressing. If you have kids, send them to the charter or the technical school

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onebaddoc t1_j8b5c69 wrote

Center of town and the waterfront are safe and well patrolled, good for a run or bike. Not a lot of food or hangout locations besides The victor and donkeys place. Easy to get to center of philly if you are walking distance to the PATCO. If you have a car, you will likely want to drive to collingswood, cherry hill, and haddonfield for food, shops, and drinks.

The Kroc center in east Camden is like a ymca, is cheap and very clean.

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LargestAdultSon t1_j8bz7yh wrote

Corinne’s Place, the soul food restaurant across the street from Donkey’s, is also good. People have recommended Blowin’ Smoque (barbecue food truck turned brick-and-mortar), but I haven’t tried it myself.

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la_de_cha t1_j8d3khi wrote

I was coming here to say Corinne’s. They won a James Beard Award last year.

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aubishop t1_j8df9i8 wrote

Corinne's Place is one of the better restaurants in the entire state! James Beard Award either last year or year before. Smoque was crazy good off the truck but haven't tried since going storefront

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DerSturmbannfuror t1_j8bjoee wrote

Don't know if it's center of town but the area around the patio/River line station is terrible. Looks like a set from THE LAST OF US imho

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ApplicationNo2506 t1_j8bc9z9 wrote

Yea man don’t carry cash on you. I got a friend who grew up there. Knew what parts to stay away from. Him and most of his family was robbed at knife/gun point at one point or another.

Living in the hood is tempting because of low rent but it’s not worth it

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drno31 t1_j8dhis0 wrote

Ok but if you don't have cash on you, how does that make an encounter more safe? I feel like having $40 ready to hand over is safer than saying "sorry man, no cash today"

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baseball8888 t1_j8elwdg wrote

You dont lose your $40 and a lot of times a mugger will see any cash as an indication you have more

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bakingeyedoc t1_j8bsr2o wrote

Why would you purposely move to Camden? If you need to commute there are far better towns in the area that aren’t called Camden.

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ShakeLost5528 t1_j8hl47f wrote

Not all of Camden is horrible. There are sections safer/wealthier than other suburbs. Plus it’s central to jobs and convenient for those wanting city life without Philadelphia prices.

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healthierlurker t1_j8bp6k4 wrote

Did you like, research that at all before deciding to make this move?

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Zhuul t1_j8b5pz9 wrote

Camden gets nasty but the nasty is very localized. It used to be murder city but the violence has plummeted in the last decade.

Nowadays it’s not crazy dangerous if you pay attention, but it is still a very poor area and your car will almost certainly be broken into at some point.

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SmeemyMeemy t1_j8c2mxf wrote

I do not blame anyone or Camden at all. It is what it is. I will say that when I was student teaching one day I came out to find my car on cinderblocks. I was well liked by parents and students. Every car had something done to it so it was just bad luck. A lot of tweaked out people scattered. Just be careful. I live .6 from the heart now and still get anxious every now and then. Also my neighbor was stabbed in the ACME parking lot 30 minutes after I got my prescription.

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Zhuul t1_j8c3ca7 wrote

Yeah it’s hardly a utopia, I’m sorry if I sounded like I was painting an overly rosy picture. It’s gotten better, though, and more importantly seems poised to continue trending in that direction.

Just be prepared for bullshit and keep your wits about you. And if you’re ever feeling down you can always go to the aquarium and say hi to their prehensile tailed porcupine.

Seriously, their nose looks like a giant pink marshmallow, it’s goddamned adorable.

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SmeemyMeemy t1_j8c4qvj wrote

YES! SO cute! I love doing looking at the Battleship New Jersey as well. There is a little old man down in the cafeteria that is just a wealth of knowledge! (I also painted the cafeteria and "dorms" when I was a Girl Scout)

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neekogo t1_j8b3hwv wrote

Washington Heights is safer

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PositiveCapital9987 OP t1_j8b3lph wrote

Ik but how much of a difference?

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ianisms10 t1_j8b4ncj wrote

I don't know anything about Washington Heights, but Camden is one of the least safe cities in New Jersey.

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iberian_prince t1_j8c9lqy wrote

I feel much safer in washington heights. Camden was once the most dangerous city in the entirety of the USA. No one ever told you “dont stop at the red lights” in washington heights. Camden has gotten better than a decade ago for sure, however, its crime areas are no joke. Camden and Philly and ruthless.

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InspiredBlue t1_j8guinn wrote

Camden was once voted the most dangerous city in the US if that gives you any idea.

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ThatBitch1984 t1_j8ia1k6 wrote

Camden has a violent crime rate of 13.78 per 1000 residents. Washing heights has a violent crime rate of 11.7 per 1000

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tduke65 t1_j8bx575 wrote

Seriously. Don’t move to Camden. It’s a shithole

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Available-Marzipan54 t1_j8by3ew wrote

Camden is WORSE than Washington Heights…trust me!!!! I know Washington Heights too

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Banana_bride t1_j8d8xc4 wrote

Camden is #14 most dangerous places to live in the US and chance of violent crime is like 1 in 60 people. A friend went to a concert in Camden and a cop stopped at a red light next to him and told him to slow down at red lights, make sure no cars were coming, and to go through to get out of the area as fast as possible.

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trade4599 t1_j8bxr2r wrote

Was Kensington in Philly too rich for you?

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IT_Trashman t1_j8bzdu0 wrote

The commute from Cherry Hill wont be too bad. For real, just don't. I can't think of a really good reason to live inside of Camden. Nearby is bad enough.

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solesme t1_j8db2ri wrote

The mofongo isn’t as good in Camden.

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nacho78 t1_j8d4yt9 wrote

Camden has nice sections. Not all Camden is bad.

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Ok_Cheetah9520 t1_j8ezv6i wrote

A corner of Cramer Hill, the area around Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and a few blocks of East Camden that border Pennsauken are still immaculate.

There’s also a ton of gentrification happening around the Center City-Waterfront area.

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PraiseLoptous t1_j8e2tzo wrote

People here are full of shit. The only time I’ve ever been robbed and broken into is when I lived the suburbs. Camden is more depressing and boring than it is terrifying.

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PeaceDawgg12 t1_j8f5tee wrote

Most of these people have never stepped foot into Camden. East Camden is similar to Washington Heights, large Dominican/Boricua community as well as other latin Americans. There are dangerous parts of Camden but East Camden is similar to Pennsauken. Definitely not the war zone these people are making it out to be.

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PositiveCapital9987 OP t1_j8f62js wrote

What about North Camden?

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PeaceDawgg12 t1_j8f7tmy wrote

North Camden is like North Philly in a lot of ways, big Rican community. Its not as dangerous as it used to be and has improved due to Rutgers and development around the waterfront, but you should be mindful of your surroundings.

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herslave2 t1_j8c9q8w wrote

When you find the blue bus you have to have a pork roll egg and cheese. It is to die for and living in Camden, well you off to a good start.

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I_Am_Skipples t1_j8bnyax wrote

Probably should have looked at other options

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Ecstatic-Passage-113 t1_j8cpvt9 wrote

It is a dominion of death at the center of celestial existence. It is where Thanos murdered my sister.

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Intelligent_Ad7737 t1_j8d3bu3 wrote

Any other option besides Camden would be a better option

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ManchuDemon t1_j8dvz9w wrote

Legitimately curious as to why you're moving there. Did you take a job there (and if so, what kind) and not have a car so you can't live far away?

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SearchContinues t1_j8eg793 wrote

Washington Heights NYC is probably farther along with gentrification than Camden. I'll admit I haven't even visited Camden in a decade since it was one of those areas where a wrong turn could lead to ending up becoming involved in a negative statistic.

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TheRealJoeyGs t1_j8ena4m wrote

It’s not inconceivable. BUT you better be street smart and tough. If you are some do gooder, hipster, tree hugger, Camden will eat you alive. Just keeping it real!

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damebyron t1_j8eukgu wrote

There’s no doubt that Camden has some really bad areas and crime and is impoverished but I guarantee half the people commenting are going off reputation alone and haven’t spent significant time there. “Camden is dangerous” is a local urban legend at this point (not saying it isn’t grounded in fact but just that the reputation is so entrenched it’ll be slow to adjust if/when Camden improves similar to how people living in Camden who haven’t been to NYC since the early 90s still think Harlem is terrifying). There are parts of it that are more gentrified than the Heights and other parts that are more dangerous and more impoverished, it all depends on your neighborhood.

As for advice, lock your car doors while driving there, every time.

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Ok_Cheetah9520 t1_j8eyvz6 wrote

Grew up in Camden. Still work there. Ask me anything. I’m biased.

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Desperate-Can757 t1_j8f0mka wrote

"I'm moving to Camden!"...said no one ever...until now!

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ShakeLost5528 t1_j8hkzx9 wrote

Cooper Grant/Lanning Square are probably the most appealing as the former is amongst the safest parts of the city and both have new modern apartments, affordable rents, and nearby job opportunities as well as quick access to Philadelphia.

Waterfront South, specifically around the Ferry Ave/Broadway corridor has plenty of better off families who run non profits and run community gardens, theaters, and parks within the neighborhood. However like most neighborhoods in the downtown/south part of the city there is a large homeless and drug problem.

Fairview is a nice choice for Hispanics who can’t afford to buy or rent in East Camden. It has multiple commercial districts, a few restaurants, and an actual grocery store which is more than most parts of the city. It’s also adjacent to Collingswood/Audubon so more shopping and nightlife is close. It’s zoned for Camden High which has been rebuilt and combined with a performing arts, medical arts, and trade school.

Stockton/Rosedale (East Camden) are nicer neighborhoods, also predominantly Hispanic, and are working class neighborhoods with pockets of middle class. They’re more family oriented with more single family homes and newer suburban-style homes. The Camden’s Promise school is located in these neighborhoods and it is the highest ranked school in the city with residents from nearby Pennsauken attending as well. The parts that touch the Cramer Hill/Marlton neighborhoods do have more crime though (mostly thefts and robberies).

Parkside, specifically between Kaighn Ave to the West, Vesper Blvd to the East, and Haddon Ave to the South has more older retirees and middle class African American families. It’s located next to the Lady of Lourdes hospital which is a nice employment hub for the city and Camden High. It also features the Society Hill development which has some of the nicest homes in the city! There’s also a new park that features access to the creek system of Camden it’s also connected to the new park in nearby Cramer Hill.

The best neighborhood will be dependent on what best suits you and your level of tolerance. Like all cities there is crime and problems in every neighborhood. Coming from Washington Heights you might be able to even move into neighborhoods not listed on here if you have street smarts and stay to yourself.

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tugger97 t1_j8d4c18 wrote

Take a look at Collingswood, Oaklyn, or literally anything on the PATCO line instead.

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PraiseLoptous t1_j8e2l63 wrote

I seriously doubt any moving to Camden has collingswood money. Use your common sense

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tugger97 t1_j8elxhn wrote

It’s not like I said Haddonfield. It sounds like they are unfamiliar with the area and there are sometimes options this time of year especially closer to Ferry Ave. I know RU-C students who have made it work. Not sure of OP’s circumstance.

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Rude-Bison-2050 t1_j8df9dh wrote

Camden is neck and neck with Newark for biggest shit hole in the state…. Why

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Realistic-Captain207 t1_j8dhnxv wrote

Mad as well rent a room in rockers island 🤣 all commodities included. Do not do it.

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False-Studio220 t1_j8dnpt8 wrote

You went from the frying into the fire my friend

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rupeshjoy852 t1_j8dnwgw wrote

Get a dog and security cams, and backup cams because the cameras could get stolen too.

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Hazellin313 t1_j8ds135 wrote

Did you look into Maple Shade or Voorhees they are pretty close to Camden and much much safer

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PraiseLoptous t1_j8e2nj5 wrote

And the houses are double the price…

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Hazellin313 t1_j8e2qk5 wrote

I assumed he/she was renting I do understand your point though

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PraiseLoptous t1_j8e38zn wrote

Yeah, it’s the difference between a one bed apartment and a 3 bed house with backyard and parking. I know lots of people who can technically “afford” to leave Camden, but they would rather be hood rich than suburban poor.

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ShakeLost5528 t1_j8hl8jc wrote

This! I know lots of families in the city who could afford to purchase in the suburbs but their living expenses would increase substantially and they wouldn’t be able to enjoy other luxuries in their current lifestyles.

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Duck_Duck_Penis t1_j8dzit1 wrote

Why? No like really why? If it’s for work look at Ewing or Trenton

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JAFO4hire t1_j8eep44 wrote

I thought people were only looking to move OUT of Camden.

At least you will be close to a good hospital.

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myxleanaxxount t1_j8eoa1j wrote

Bro why. Like just move to a surrounding town, or philly

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theNancini t1_j8fs2xj wrote

Most bulletproof vests only have a 5 year shelf life & they are not "knife proof"

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Bergamoted t1_j8gflad wrote

You will be ight bro! I was from the bx so you will be fine

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Bergamoted t1_j8gfm0l wrote

You will be ight bro! I was from the bx so you will be fine

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FoaadHusain t1_j8v6ib8 wrote

On this episode of "101 ways to die early"

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Goldfish2022 t1_j8dqktu wrote

Know you've made a terrible mistake

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