Moving to NJ: Central NJ vs Northen NJ??? (Princeton, Allendale: real estate, homes)

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

The Princeton area is far better than northern NJ, in my opinion. In addition, people are moving out of Bergen County, not a recipe for a good housing investment. From Princeton, you can get to Philly and NYC plus there is a fair amount to do in Princeton, not to mention the character of the town that cannot be found in northern NJ. Look in Hopewell, Lawrenceville, Montgomery/Princeton Twp or Pennington where housing is more reasonable than Princeton borough.

Very inaccurate. Allendale and the surrounding towns are beautiful, pristine suburbs, many of which have amazing downtowns with LOADS of character. I feel like in your posts, when you envision North Jersey, you're envisioning Southeastern Bergen County with the congestion and semi-shabby areas near NYC. But the majority of North Jersey is extremely nice, especially Northern Bergen County, which is where Allendale is. It's gorgeous up there.

I actually take the opposite opinion. I am not a huge fan of Central Jersey, at all. To me, most of those towns have a boring, sprawly feeling, with characterless strip malls. Princeton is an exception, as it has a downtown, but aside from that, the blandness of Mercer and Middlesex Counties really turn me off. I'll take Ridgewood, Ramsey, etc with their quaint downtowns and more of a community feel.

To the OP...I would look closely at the job in Allendale, and if you're looking for cheaper housing, you can look in nearby Rockland County, where it's still quite nice, but a bit cheaper than Bergen County, NJ. Then again, if you prefer a little more seclusion and rural scenery, look at Princeton and nearby towns...there are some areas there that are really spread out and open.

[Dooley454]

Bergen county is pretty expensive. It depends what your budget is looking like, where you will work... are you willing to commute? Do you have children and what to be around other children for them to play with in the area?

Now I am 83 years old and in my town there are people who are mainly my age, I would not suggest nor would I think that is where you would like to live. I live in Whiting Station in Manchester (Ocean County) Younger folks seem to like the North Jersey area, well at least my grand children any way.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Very inaccurate. Allendale and the surrounding towns are beautiful, pristine suburbs, many of which have amazing downtowns with LOADS of character. I feel like in your posts, when you envision North Jersey, you're envisioning Southeastern Bergen County with the congestion and semi-shabby areas near NYC. But the majority of North Jersey is extremely nice, especially Northern Bergen County, which is where Allendale is. It's gorgeous up there.

I actually take the opposite opinion. I am not a huge fan of Central Jersey, at all. To me, most of those towns have a boring, sprawly feeling, with characterless strip malls. Princeton is an exception, as it has a downtown, but aside from that, the blandness of Mercer and Middlesex Counties really turn me off. I'll take Ridgewood, Ramsey, etc with their quaint downtowns and more of a community feel.

To the OP...I would look closely at the job in Allendale, and if you're looking for cheaper housing, you can look in nearby Rockland County, where it's still quite nice, but a bit cheaper than Bergen County, NJ. Then again, if you prefer a little more seclusion and rural scenery, look at Princeton and nearby towns...there are some areas there that are really spread out and open.

First Princeton is essentially South Jersey. I know the areas of central Jersey well. To compare Allendale to Princeton is just silly. Not to say Allendale is bad because it isn't but let's get real. Princeton's location is far better. Much of central NJ is far from good amenities, a long commute and surrounded by congested roads. Princeton is as far north in NJ as you want to live without sacrificing amenities, quality of life, etc.

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

First Princeton is essentially South Jersey. I know the areas of central Jersey well. To compare Allendale to Princeton is just silly. Not to say Allendale is bad because it isn't but let's get real. Princeton's location is far better. Much of central NJ is far from good amenities, a long commute and surrounded by congested roads. Princeton is as far north in NJ as you want to live without sacrificing amenities, quality of life, etc.

Your post confuses the heck out of me. First of all, if we were to take a poll, I think about 96% of NJ residents would say that Princeton is Central NJ....not South Jersey.

You're saying that Allendale is not close to good amenities and quality of life...?

That's funny. Allendale is like, the quintessential example of quality of life.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Your post confuses the heck out of me. First of all, if we were to take a poll, I think about 96% of NJ residents would say that Princeton is Central NJ....not South Jersey.

You're saying that Allendale is not close to good amenities and quality of life...?

That's funny. Allendale is like, the quintessential example of quality of life.

dude, give it up. look at the source. princeton is nice, therefore it's in south jersey. trenton sucks, therefore it's in central jersey. get it?

[scoutgator]

Originally Posted by dhanu86

Take the Princeton job. Central jersey is a lot nicer suburban wise, you get a little more for your money and it's fresh with not so much vanity and traffic. You don't want to raise your kid in north jersey, kids there are dumb and spoiled and anywhere in north jersey is near crime. Most software jobs are around Princeton as well. Don't buy a house just for an 'investment'. Newer developments, can't go wrong with any of the schools, centrally located.

I can't agree either. Are Princeton sourrounding areas commutable to a job in NYC? If yes, then I lean more toward the Princeton one?

[MoorestownResident]

And they'd be wrong. Princeton is part of the greater Philly area and definitely has a South Jersey feel. The point is you are telling me Allendale compares to Princeton and it simply doesn't. That doen't mean Allendale sucks, it just means it's not as desirable as Princeton for a variety of reasons. That should be self-explanatory.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by scoutgator

I can't agree either. Are Princeton sourrounding areas commutable to a job in NYC? If yes, then I lean more toward the Princeton one?

depends on your definition of "commutable". do people do it? yes. would I? no. (depending on where in NYC, you're looking at a MINIMUM of 90 minutes each way) again, if proximity to NYC is near the top of the list, look in the allendale area.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

And they'd be wrong. Princeton is part of the greater Philly area and definitely has a South Jersey feel. The point is you are telling me Allendale compares to Princeton and it simply doesn't. That doen't mean Allendale sucks, it just means it's not as desirable as Princeton for a variety of reasons.

nope, i disagree. they share an area code, that's about it.

noone is saying they are analogous in every way, we're saying they both are NICE and good choices.

[MoorestownResident]

They share media, sports teams, major arteries and general feel. Princeton has much more of a Philly media vibe than NYC, not even close.