Mercer County towns? (Princeton, Lawrenceville, Pennington: 2009, house, layoffs)

[KatieNJ]

My husband and I just moved here from New England and so far really like NJ. We are looking for the right town to buy a house in. We like walkability and historic homes. We've seen Hopewell, Pennington, and Princeton. Princeton is a bit too expensive. What can locals tell us about quality of life in Hopewell and Pennington? My husband noted the Lotus dealership and nanny agency in Hopewell and thinks these are signs this town might be a bit too posh. What's it really like? Any other towns you can recommend? Katie

[MoorestownResident]

Hopewell is a good area with a rural/suburban feel depending where you are looking in town. I don't necessarily think of Hopewell as posh especially since it has a rather drab main street area but there is money there. Princeton is clearly more posh. The one thing to be aware of - the Merrill Lynch facility in Hopewell is going to experience significant layoffs, that could put downward pressure on housing prices locally in 2009. If it were me, I wouldn't be looking to buy in Hopewell until the layoffs are announced. There is nothing really walkable about Hopewell or Pennington unless you are looking for parks. Princeton is the only walkable town in the area.

[jerseyj]

Katie, I wouldn't let the Lotus dealership discourage you from considering that area of Mercer Co. The guy who owns it used to own the Saab dealership in Princeton. Hopewell Borough is a still a really lovely place.

Unfortunately, once you have visited Princeton Borough nothing much compares, in Mercer Co.
You might want to look at Lawrenceville (the villiage-not the Township) which is a mile or two south of Princeton on 206. It has a very small "downtown" area, with some fabulous family owned restaurants and lots of lovely older homes.
If schools are a concern, I would pick Hopewell/Pennington over Lawrenceville.
Good luck!