I have lived in Hillsborough Gardens for over two years now. While it isn't the classiest or nicest place to stay, it's better than nothing.

Pros:
-It's super close to 206 so there are a lot of restaurants, shopping centers, laundromats, gas stations, drug stores, etc. within walking or driving distance.
-Always a lot of open parking spaces since most people in the complex don't have cars.
-The grounds themselves are fairly clean.
-The landlady is kind of crazy, but she's super nice.
-The apartments are pretty big for the price as far as this area is concerned.
-The closets are HUGE and there are lots of them!

Cons
-Although I have never had this problem (yet, knock on wood,) I have heard so many people that live here complain about the bedbugs.
-If something breaks, it takes forever for maintenance to come fix it and they will do a really half-assed job when they do. It's basically impossible to get a hold of these people. The maintenance guys are REALLY nice, though.
-They decide to do things like spray for bugs or paint the balconies and give you a week which they *might* show up to your place. They don't return phone calls if you try to find out a more exact time frame.
-People hang their laundry/sheets/blankets to dry over the balconies and it looks like a trailer park in the summer because of it.
-The laundry rooms are complete garbage. People trash them and the machines never work very well, if at all. Luckily, there is a good laundromat down the road.
-People throw furniture (and Christmas trees,) all around the dumpsters, which will often take up parking spots for weeks before they get taken away.
-The rent goes up every single year, without fail. It's not like they're making any renovations, they're just ripping us off.
-The kitchen appliances are probably at least 20-30 years old, so don't expect them to work perfectly. if at all.
-Most bathrooms in this complex have 70s yellow toilets and tubs. It's not a big deal, but expect to have a hideous bathroom! :P
-Electric/baseboard heat really sucks and can get as expensive as the air conditioner in the summer, especially in the 1st floor apartments. And it sucks for your skin and eyes.
-Expect your shower water temperature to change, without reason, from extremely scalding hot to frigid cold and back at least ten times throughout your shower. The pipes are old, the regulators are messed up, and maintenance does NOT care about this issue.
-Every wall has at least 50 coats of paint on it.

Things other people are complaining about:
-Screaming children and barking dogs are everywhere, but this is a fact of life no matter where you live. This is New Jersey; a lot of people live here.
-There are tons of illegal folks in this part of town. They are generally quiet, they keep to themselves, and they don't start trouble with anyone. Yeah, they live 10 people in a 1 bedroom apartment, but they're generally pretty clean and they don't bother anyone. I have never had a problem with my neighbors in this complex and I have lived in two different buildings. The only loud, obnoxious partying I have ever witnessed was when a bunch of spoiled white kids lived across the way from me and had keg parties every time the mom went away. Cops were called several times and management kicked them out. End of story.
-I have been late on my rent a few times, and as long as it's in by the 20th of the month, they can't even TRY to start court proceedings. You will owe an extra $20 after the 5th of the month, but that's not a huge deal.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/11/2009
Ok, you may not have had a problem with the illegals, but many have. There have been drunk fights that got violent that the police had to come at many buildings through out the complex. There has been shootings, even there has been a tenant threaten with a machete by one of these illegals, there have been roberies, perhaps even rapes. You may want to go to Somerset county court, in somerville and ask the clerk to see if there is further info. on people who have been charged with severe crime in this complex. Hillsborough court may not be able to provide you with that info. I'm sure you can get it as it's public information. I only saw and heard of all this once I moved here. Other neighbors also complain where I lived. Common, Seriously, the only bad thing you see or have to say is that they are ripping us off that they increase the rent. You've gotta be joking right? Well as for them ripping the tenants off, that is absolutely true especially with the unprofessional leasing agent, the Property Manager and the owner don't give a damn, don't do anything about it. Neither does the Owner and yet they want to increase rents and that to very high percentage ea. year. When they can't resolve all these issues the tenants are experiencing how can they increase rents tremendously? Until they clean out there act, I believe tenants will keep posting the truth here with exception of few who are paid to write nice stuff or are employees of the management.

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