Moving to NJ: Central NJ vs Northen NJ???

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by scoutgator

Yeh, Cranbury is also close to I-95. I heard Cranbury pays Princeton in order to send their kids to Princeton HS. Is this some sort of temporary solution or have they been doing this for years? I'm thinking when it's time
for my kids to go to HS, they may not do this anymore.

I don't think it's temporary and I don't think they'll be building a high school anytime soon. It's a very small town that has cut their development down, so I don't see it ever growing enough to support it's own high school. But going to Princeton HS is fine, just a bit of a commute. People in Cranbury LOVE their public elementary school, it's a K-8 school and very very nice.

I forget what towns you mentioned, but if Princeton proper is out, then Montgomery Township is a great alternative IMO. I like that side of Rte 1 a bit better than the Cranbury/Plainsboro side. Another nice town on that side is Hopewell.

On the other side of Rte 1, I would say Cranbury would be the most desirable, followed by WW. I'm not a fan of Plainsboro, but that's just me. Robbinsville is another nice and up and coming town, brand new high school. You can get a bit more for your money there.

As far as Bucks, I don't know, people say it's all cheaper, but the houses certainly aren't and that commute over is no fun. Not sure where you are working, but try to live as close as possible to it. Commutes can be slow down there.

I would avoid going south into Burlington County, unless you really can't afford anything in the surrounding towns of the Princeton area. I don't see the point.

Good luck!

[TigerLily24]

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.

Allendale is a gorgeous community as are all of the towns surrounding it.
I would take Allendale over Princeton any and every day. You would be sacrificing NOTHING by living in Allendale.

[luckyshoes]

I think this person already decided on the Princeton area, but comparing the two areas, I'd say they are both fine.

[grace28]

Newsweek Magazine just came out with top 1500 high schools in the U.S. I know Basking Ridge, NJ was #175. Families are buying up homes in The Hills complex to get in by September. Some properties in the Hills are in Basking Ridge but others are in Bedminster. Go to Realtor.com and check affordability. Basking Ridge is "07920" and 1/2 an hour above Princeton. Express trains to NYC for those that commute that way.

[mcf17]

Originally Posted by grace28

Newsweek Magazine just came out with top 1500 high schools in the U.S. I know Basking Ridge, NJ was #175. Families are buying up homes in The Hills complex to get in by September. Some properties in the Hills are in Basking Ridge but others are in Bedminster. Go to Realtor.com and check affordability. Basking Ridge is "07920" and 1/2 an hour above Princeton. Express trains to NYC for those that commute that way.

Basking Ridge is NOT 1/2 an hour away from Princeton - I've done that drive and it's easily an hour. And with all the exceptional high schools nearby, it hardly seems worth it to live that far away just for the HS.

I know it's dated, but I'd definitely second the Cranbury rec.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by grace28

Newsweek Magazine just came out with top 1500 high schools in the U.S. I know Basking Ridge, NJ was #175. Families are buying up homes in The Hills complex to get in by September. Some properties in the Hills are in Basking Ridge but others are in Bedminster. Go to Realtor.com and check affordability. Basking Ridge is "07920" and 1/2 an hour above Princeton. Express trains to NYC for those that commute that way.

1/2 an hour to Princeton? Try an hour.