Trenton?? (Burlington, Hightstown, Lawrenceville: best neighborhood, low crime, townhomes)

[coldblooded36]

I'm from NYC, looking to move to an urban area in the northeast or mid-atlantic thats alot cheaper. I'm considering Philly, Baltimore, Trenton, and some smaller PA towns...I know people think trenton is a dump, but is there really not a single affordable, somewhat safe (doesn't have to be perfect) area there?
Thanks

[JBrown]

In short... NO !!

For crime or murders (I forget which, not that it matters) It's I think number 14 in the country...what else do you need to know ??

[christina0001]

Trenton, unlike most small cities, has no "good" neighborhood or district to live in. However, the 'burbs surrounding Trenton are overall quite nice, very low crime, plenty to do. You would also be 45-60 minutes from Philly and 2-3 hours from Baltimore (depending on traffic). For affordability, Hamilton, East Windsor/Hightstown, and Burlington County are your best bets; just avoid the area of Hamilton immediately bordering Trenton.

If you are truly, truly set on Trenton, the best neighborhood in my opinion is the Mill Hill district, a series of brick townhomes at the very end of Rt. 33, where it meets Rt. 206. It is very clean, and they work hard to keep crime out. The buildings there are relatively new or been recently renovated and are really nice inside.

[DecayingAngel]

FORGET the city of Trenton! However, look at the adjoining areas--Hamilton, Lawrenceville, Yardville, etc. My brother lives in a nice family neighborhood in Hamilton and works in Trenton. It's just a few miles away; he can go home for lunch if he wants.

Lived in Trenton on and off most of my life. I wouldn't go down the street I grew up on now even in broad daylight. However, as stated, most suburbs are OK. Hamilton especially, but then that's the one I am most familiar with.

[QueSeraSera]

Stay away from Trenton! I think they're averaging 3 - 4 murders a week now.

[DecayingAngel]

The house in South Trenton where I grew up and spent so much of my life is now a dump in a drug-infested neighborhood. Last December, 4 houses across the street were burned to the ground by a home made bomb being thrown into one of the houses at 4 am in the morning. I could not look at the pictures in the paper; it was too depressing.

It was a beautiful city--full of history. Do stay away; I wouldn't go there now in the light of day, let alone nightime. And live there? Someone could give me a house for free there and I wouldn't take it.

[QueSeraSera]

Originally Posted by DecayingAngel

The house in South Trenton where I grew up and spent so much of my life is now a dump in a drug-infested neighborhood. Last December, 4 houses across the street were burned to the ground by a home made bomb being thrown into one of the houses at 4 am in the morning. I could not look at the pictures in the paper; it was too depressing.

It was a beautiful city--full of history. Do stay away; I wouldn't go there now in the light of day, let alone nightime. And live there? Someone could give me a house for free there and I wouldn't take it.

Not sure if you're referring to the firebombing where the man and his 2 daughters, ages 6 and 7, were killed. If so, that trial just ended recently. Don't know all the details as I very rarely read beyond headlines anymore when it has something to do with the crime in Trenton.

[krusher]

agree on trenton being a dump.

Thumbs up for Hamilton. They're working on adding new parking at the train station too... and there's a couple of cheap shuttles run by Hamilton from some of the developments to the train station, if you're still working in NYC. That's a pretty hefty commute, but a ton of people do it, so it can't be impossible.

[DecayingAngel]

Originally Posted by QueSeraSera

Not sure if you're referring to the firebombing where the man and his 2 daughters, ages 6 and 7, were killed. If so, that trial just ended recently. Don't know all the details as I very rarely read beyond headlines anymore when it has something to do with the crime in Trenton.

No one was killed in the fire I referred to. It just created an eyesore. I can remember the people who lived there 20 years ago but that's all different now. Heard it was related to some drug deal gone bad. There were about 50 people divided up into the four houses that were destroyed. And of course the neighboring houses suffered smoke and smell damage.

Hamilton is great. My brother lives there. The train station is very convenient to go to NYC. Schools aren't bad either.

[QueSeraSera]

Yes, Hamilton is nice. Was born and raised here, still living here. Would like to move out of Jersey altogether though.