Advice on Lawrenceville location needed (Trenton, Ewing: middle-class, rentals, car insurance)

[dstanca]

Hi everyone

We are first time buyers with no children (yet) and are looking at a house in Lawrenceville, in the Eldrige Park area, just south of Ryder off of 206.

How is that area as far as quality of living, neighborhood, elementary schools, traffic, etc. Anything we should be weary of?

Thank you very much in advance. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by dstanca

Hi everyone

We are first time buyers with no children (yet) and are looking at a house in Lawrenceville, in the Eldrige Park area, just south of Ryder off of 206.

How is that area as far as quality of living, neighborhood, elementary schools, traffic, etc. Anything we should be weary of?

Thank you very much in advance. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I am a New Jersey DEP radon specialist and I mitigate a lot of homes in the Lawrenceville area with unsafe radon levels......if your buying a home in that vicinity definitely get a radon test with your home inspection !!!

[jerseyj]

That is a really nice residential area, pretty, established and stable.

As far as schools, Eldridge Park Elementary is rated 5 out of 10 on Great Schools (for what that is worth) and Lawrence High School is rated 124 out of 316 (NJ monthly 2008). Not a bad showing.

That neighbourhood is situated between Rider University and TCNJ, so you might want to check if there are any rentals near you. There have been some issues with student rentals, although this has been mostly a problem in Ewing.

Because Lawrence abuts Trenton, your car insurance will be higher.

If you are travelling on 206, that traffic is pretty heavy most of the day, rush hours are worse.

Overall, the area is nice, convenient to lots of stuff and not far away from the small downtown (across from the Lawrenceville School) that has some really great family owned restaurants!
Good Luck!

[deniss]

The area you are describing is safe. I live very close to there and drive around that area all the time on daily errands. I feel comfortable there. Lawrenceville Police does an excellent job to patrol the community without hassling its members without need (unlike Princeton Borough and Township Police).

However, it depends on what you're looking for in a community. This is a very much average middle-class area, bordering the less affluent area of Lawrenceville toward Trenton. The people are mostly friendly and not snobby at all - many elderly. The area overall is just not as "upkept" at parts of Lawrenceville farther up north. The nearest shopping is the so-called Lawrence Shopping Center that has ACME grocery store and other miscellaneous things - that plaza is pretty run down and not that pleasant. To get any kind of decent grocery shopping done, you'd need to drive up to Wegmans or ShopRite in West Windsor, which is north on Rt 1. Alternatively, there's a new Super Stop N Shop in Pennington on Rt 31 that is terrific - but also a bit of a drive. The post office is crappy and has constant lines. Just the whole area there isn't all that. But if you're fine with that, then fine - these are kind of nit-picky details that you learn after you live in the area.

Anyhow, Rt 1 will be your best friend and worst enemy, as it is the major artery to get anywhere faster. But around rush-hour, it gets rather backed up in the South-Bound direction in Lawrenceville and West Windsor. You'll also be next to Rt 206, which is absolutely ridiculous during morning rush-hour going North. If there's an accident, forget it. During evening rush, Rt 206 gets packed going South, especially at Franklin Corner Rd.

This is truly a congested area. Personally, I'd look at Pennington or Hopewell - those are underrated local gems.

[luckyshoes]

Lawrenceville is fine, but if you're having kids, you might want to take a look at other towns too. There are towns around there with better school districts. Good luck.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by dstanca

Hi everyone

We are first time buyers with no children (yet) and are looking at a house in Lawrenceville, in the Eldrige Park area, just south of Ryder off of 206.

How is that area as far as quality of living, neighborhood, elementary schools, traffic, etc. Anything we should be weary of?

Thank you very much in advance. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

If you are in Lawrenceville which is around Rider, you are fine. Some areas of Lawrence Twp aren't the greatest. Princeton boro is going to be much more expensive. I always tell people about Hopewell, great schools, and not as expensive as Princeton.

[dstanca]

Thanks everyone for your answer. Sounds like the area is very much ok and nice. We're now going through the difficult process of determining an offer price.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by dstanca

Thanks everyone for your answer. Sounds like the area is very much ok and nice. We're now going through the difficult process of determining an offer price.

Be bold! I know a few people in Hamilton (next door) who have had their houses on the market for over a year. Make sure you really know how long it's been on the market too, they do all of that relisting stuff to try to hide it. Good luck!