Victor Lofts

The Victor Apartments have a wonderful curb appeal, and inside looks nicely renovated as well. Many Rutgers students live here. Pros: hallways are climate controlled, and apartments have floor to ceiling windows. Location is convenient to public transportation (RiverLine and PATCO) and there is gated parking (for a small fee). Common areas are kept up very nicely, and does not feel like shabby dorm living. Price is also perhaps the best value you will find in the entire tri-​state region. And the views of the cities from upstairs (as well as on the roof deck) are unparalleled. There are often move in rebates available.
Cons: Despite the security of gated parking, my insurance company was going to charge a high premium in order to keep a car in this zip code (thanks, Camden!). The combination of all their restrictive pet policies do not meet my minimum criteria of «pet friendly» yet they continue to promote themselves in that light, and their validation was that they spend all of the money on cleaning to meet state standards. (Really? in addition to an $ 1800 security deposit, though? And nobody else I found in NJ charges this much to shampoo a carpet?) While I was attempting to enroll as a new resident, the Victor trotted out their strict one dog max policy (no puppies or large breeds either) and the cost of having a dog is rather high ($ 400 nonrefundable, plus $ 25 per month). The vagueness of their pet rules on the website («PETS WELCOME!») and on various third party websites is not helpful when it caused me to go to fill out an application, select a move in date, put in a deposit, and even call a mover. I then got a call about 24 hours before telling me to get rid of the second dog (all 7 pounds of her) or look elsewhere, and I’d have to talk to the boss about maybe getting a refund which I eventually did but not without pulling some teeth and making several anxious calls to corporate while my moving van sat in storage for $ 140/​day.
My experience was unusually poor, but the bottom line is I think that The Victor has hidden value for many. Their presence on Unilocal with three stars should be an improvement over their current status which has largely been unheralded if for no good reason other than its once sketchy, but improving location. If you move here, make sure your application is accepted before they run your credit card. There is very little demand for rooms outside of the student season, so they mustn’t let you feel as though a hold is required. A hold really serves only them, as I have found.