Work in New Brunswick, what town to live in? (Edison: new home, good schools)

[vatodallas]

Our young family is moving to NJ for a job in New Brunswick and need some suggestions on nice, safe towns with good schools within commuting distance of New Brunswick. We love Princeton but afraid it's a little too far of a commute. Any other nearby towns with that type of charm? Thanks!

[RUNYYfan]

Several towns to consider besides NB itself.

East Brunswick
North Brunswick
South Brunswick (which is made up of several smaller towns)
Dayton
Kendall Park
Monmouth Junction
Milltown
Edison
Highland Park

All have good schools and are proximal to New Brunswick.

In terms of "charm" like Princeton, you would probably be looking up toward Morristown and some of the other more northern towns in the state which will extend the commute. Of the towns I listed, probably Highland Park and Milltown would be the ones closest to "charm."

[SweepTheLeg]

Highland Park and Edison have good schools compared to the Brunswicks?? I'm not too sure about that.

In order of quality of schools:

East Brunswick (probably the best in Central Jersey, if not top 5.)

Cranbury (also in that upper echelon)

South Brunswick (which is comprised of South Brunswick "proper", and then Monmouth Junction (best), Dayton (good), and Kendall Park (ok))

North Brunswick (but is kind of spotty in areas... especially the areas that border New Brunswick)

Highland Park has some very, very religious sections which could lead to community exclusion.

As someone who works near New Brunswick, and has lived in the Middlesex area for most of his life, I recommend South Brunswick and Cranbury, with East Brunswick trailing in third place. Great schools, very safe, good quality of life.

I don't know what your budget is, though. You said Princeton but were afraid of the commute, so that tells me you can afford the higher prices that are in Cranbury and So. Brunswick.

If your budget is a little lower, look into Spotswood.

[SweepTheLeg]

Originally Posted by RUNYYfan

In terms of "charm" like Princeton, you would probably be looking up toward Morristown and some of the other more northern towns in the state which will extend the commute. Of the towns I listed, probably Highland Park and Milltown would be the ones closest to "charm."

He's afraid of the commute from Princeton to New Brunswick and you recommend Morristown? That's not a commute, that's a death march. ha!

Cranbury's charm far outweighs Highland Park, IMHO.

OH! I forgot - Plainsboro is a good place to look as well. Plainsboro and Cranbury easily access 130 for a swift commute into to New Brunswick.

[RUNYYfan]

Originally Posted by SweepTheLeg

He's afraid of the commute from Princeton to New Brunswick and you recommend Morristown? That's not a commute, that's a death march. ha!

ARRRGH! What was I thinking? Somerville would have the "charm" although the commute is still not totally friendly.

Cranbury's charm far outweighs Highland Park, IMHO.

OH! I forgot - Plainsboro is a good place to look as well. Plainsboro and Cranbury easily access 130 for a swift commute into to New Brunswick.

Very true.

[Jillian Mason]

I've gotta agree with sweep. I live in East Brunswick and love it, but Cranbury definitely has a small town feel and great schools. It also comes with a hefty price though so Cranbury and Plainsboro (try the Gentry) will depend on your budget. Milltown is also a small town which you might enjoy and they have lower taxes because the kids go to Spotswood highschool. South Brunswick is at the top running as well, with great schools and a lot of nice new homes. Those would be my top recommendations. Oh, and I do not recommend living in New Brunswick no matter how tempting (only because of the schools). Good luck and let us know where you end up!

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by SweepTheLeg

He's afraid of the commute from Princeton to New Brunswick and you recommend Morristown? That's not a commute, that's a death march. ha!

Cranbury's charm far outweighs Highland Park, IMHO.

OH! I forgot - Plainsboro is a good place to look as well. Plainsboro and Cranbury easily access 130 for a swift commute into to New Brunswick.

eh - death march is a little much. the absolute worst part of that trip would be river road, which is easily avoided. 287S really isn't bad (said by someone who's been driving it for 19 yrs )

[jersey15]

Personally I think if you like Princeton, move to Princeton. It's not that far of a commute. It's like 20 miles to New Brunswick. IMO Princeton is a much nicer town than any of the others mentioned and would be well worth the extra 10 miles you'd have to drive. JMO

[SweepTheLeg]

Originally Posted by jersey15

Personally I think if you like Princeton, move to Princeton. It's not that far of a commute. It's like 20 miles to New Brunswick. IMO Princeton is a much nicer town than any of the others mentioned and would be well worth the extra 10 miles you'd have to drive. JMO

The traffic issues getting in and out of Princeton figure into this. Route 1 is not a fun place to be sometimes. It's a lot easier to get to New Brunswick via 130 than it is 1.

Also, doesn't Princeton have higher taxes?

No matter what, I do not advise living in New Brunswick. Horrible schools, and even with the gentrification, you're still living in a college town with major fratboy and townie issues.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by SweepTheLeg

The traffic issues getting in and out of Princeton figure into this. Route 1 is not a fun place to be sometimes. It's a lot easier to get to New Brunswick via 130 than it is 1.

Also, doesn't Princeton have higher taxes?

No matter what, I do not advise living in New Brunswick. Horrible schools, and even with the gentrification, you're still living in a college town with major fratboy and townie issues.

You could always take a train from Princeton or Princeton Junction to New Brunswick. And you could easily live in West Windsor or Plainsboro and do that......