Anyone live in downtown Princeton? (Kingston: top school, university, living in)

[mbk]

Hi,
Just curious, we are thinking of relocating with our 3 kids. If you live in downtown Princeton, what do you like and/or dislike about it?
Thanks,
Michelle

[jerseyj]

Michelle,
I don't live in Princeton, but work there and live close by.
It is a really nice town, lots of pedestrian traffic, both residents and students. Lots of vehicle traffic too. Rte 27 (Nassau St.) is heavily travelled and with parking on both sides of the street (and delivery double parking) it can be a slow go. The smaller side streets can get just as bad. During the rush hours the traffic on 27 and 206 is really congested.
But traffic aside, it is a very friendly town, the schools are exceptional and there is very little crime.

[Viralmd]

I lived there for a short time. It's nice - but just as pricey as NYC. Nice stores. But if you want to do SERIOUS grocery shopping you'll still need a car. And commuting to NYC could be better. The traffic on Route 206 is AWFUL during the morning and evening commutes.

[jerseyj]

Yes, the traffic is a challenge, but name a Jersey town where traffic isn't. There are many reasons why so many want to live here.
Princeton is very sweet, I wish I could afford to live there.

[goforbroke82]

Traffic is truly bad around the Princeton Area. Route 1 clogs like nobody's business. My office is on Nassau St in Princeton so I have to get across 1 everyday - but I'm only 6 miles away. I'm also in the top school district in New Jersey -- but Princeton's also incredibly good. With three kids finding ample space may be tough - especially depending on what your budget looks like. Any particular reason you're considering Princeton? I know you posted in March - but maybe I can still help out

[Debaroo]

Originally Posted by mbk

Hi,
Just curious, we are thinking of relocating with our 3 kids. If you live in downtown Princeton, what do you like and/or dislike about it?
Thanks,
Michelle

There is NOTHING to dislike. Downtown Princeton is GREAT. I don't see major congestion there. Maybe on the outskirts by the malls but I think it's a breeze going thru town..it's not very big, the stretch along Rt. 27 there. I ADORE Princeton and always have. I live about 20 minutes from there and lived all my life in the area. You couldn't pick a better area. Kingston and Griggstown is also in the area as you go north on Rt. 27, it nice there too and along the canal is beaufitul. Princeton is a smart move, espcially in town.

[Viralmd]

Sorry, I have to disagree. The traffic in Princeton is HORRIFIC. Especially near route 206 in the morning and evening commuting hours.

[Wiley_Coyote]

I live in downtown princeton...about a 3 to 5 min walk from nassau street, so i'm really smack in the middle of it. one thing that people forget is that even though the actual 'borough of princeton' is merely one square mile (and half that being the university), anything remotely nearby will also use a princeton address. so yes, the traffic is bad heading INTO princeton in the mornings and out in the afternoons, but if you live in princeton and work outside, it's a breeze. in fact, i work about 20 miles away and it hardly ever takes me more than 30 mins even in morning rush hour.

The one really big plus about living in princeton (the actual town, not the surrounding areas that use princeton addresses) is that it really feels more like a small village in vermont and nothing like suburbia in NJ. rents are not cheap here...more or less the same prices as manhattan, except that you get a much larger place with a yard and you don't have to lock your doors. now that i think about it, i don't think anyone on my block ever locks their doors. things are pretty quiet here.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by Wiley_Coyote

The one really big plus about living in princeton (the actual town, not the surrounding areas that use princeton addresses) is that it really feels more like a small village in vermont and nothing like suburbia in NJ. rents are not cheap here...more or less the same prices as manhattan, except that you get a much larger place with a yard and you don't have to lock your doors. now that i think about it, i don't think anyone on my block ever locks their doors. things are pretty quiet here.

I find that very hard to believe, and very foolish if it's actually true.

While your little section of downtown Princeton may remind you of a small town in Vermont, there's one big difference- it's not 30 miles out in the middle of nowhere. There's plenty of areas that aren't that far away that aren't such "shangri-las" and the residents of those areas will be more than happy to help themselves to your belongings- especially if you make it easy for them by leaving your doors unlocked (and posting that info on a public internet forum.......).

[princetonian]

I live in Princeton Township and we go downtown often. It is one of the best downtowns in the area, many shops and restaurants, and has great quality education. Good place to raise kids.