Is Princeton a real college town? (New Brunswick, Highland Park: houses, theater, school)

[NJamboy]

Just curious, I've only been to Princeton once - is the town a college town like New Brunswick or is it simply a small college in a large town? Do retired people in the area take classes at the school? Do people actually hang out downtown? The one-time I was there, the town seemed small with not much going on.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by NJamboy

Just curious, I've only been to Princeton once - is the town a college town like New Brunswick or is it simply a small college in a large town? Do retired people in the area take classes at the school? Do people actually hang out downtown? The one-time I was there, the town seemed small with not much going on.

It's a real college town if you're a fancy-lad in the Ivy League. If you're a commoner from Rutgers then Princeton is not a real "college town."

Although I've made many visits to Princeton over the years and think it's nice and a fun place to walk around for a little while, when it comes to Princeton being a "real college town" I think of a particular instance...
When I was a student at Rutgers, I had a date who I wanted to take somewhere different instead of the usual New Brunswick restaurants. I figured Princeton would be a nice spot. We drove down, I had a restaurant picked out (the Tiger's Tale - it wasn't very good, but not horrible, but certainly worse than most New Brunswick restaurants), and then we walked around for 1/2 hour and were kind of bored, and she asked that we go back to New Brunswick.

I thought the date went sour, which was weird because I knew she liked me. Well, we got back to New Brunswick and I figured out why she wanted to go back - we went to Thomas Sweets for ice cream, went for a walk in the park and down to the Raritan, and we went out to the bars and met friends. So the date was fine, but she sad "Princeton is boring, don't take me there again." I thought it was nice, but I see her point - it was quiet and calm and not like New Brunswick, not "college-y". It was pretty boring for a couple of college students.

Anyway, that's what I think of Princeton; I appreciated it more when I was older, and even then I don't go out of my way to go there. I got what I deserved - no Rutgers man should ever patronize Princeton, especially while still a student at RU!

[AnthonyB]

More like a big university in a small town. Because of the predominance of "supper clubs" much of Princetons student nightlife is internal to the university itself rather than the town.
What I like about living near there is access to the galleries and theater as well as the many cultural "events" that are held, especially spring/summer.
Princeton is pretty low key though, more academic than studenty and is heavy in wannabes -people who think proximity to the Ivy league will allow some of the cache to rub off.

[jerseyj]

Originally Posted by NJamboy

Just curious, I've only been to Princeton once - is the town a college town like New Brunswick or is it simply a small college in a large town? Do retired people in the area take classes at the school? Do people actually hang out downtown? The one-time I was there, the town seemed small with not much going on.

I had to laugh at this one

Princeton is a small town, with a HUGE college presence, both rep wise and footprint wise.

The students frequent the coffee shops, but probably spend more time in the eating clubs.

The town is pretty vibrant with the local, older, (boring) residents.

BCJ- Agree with your views.....but next time you take a date into Princeton, spring for Mediterra (better food) and take her to Halo (on Hullfish) for ice cream or the Bent Spoon (Palmer Square).

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by jerseyj

I had to laugh at this one

Princeton is a small town, with a HUGE college presence, both rep wise and footprint wise.

The students frequent the coffee shops, but probably spend more time in the eating clubs.

The town is pretty vibrant with the local, older, (boring) residents.

BCJ- Agree with your views.....but next time you take a date into Princeton, spring for Mediterra (better food) and take her to Halo (on Hullfish) for ice cream or the Bent Spoon (Palmer Square).

Thanks for the recommendations, I will definitely keep them in mind. Back then springing for a more expensive meal was out of the question on my student budget; I had to prioritize and make sure I had money for the bars, of course.

[TheGambler]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

Thanks for the recommendations, I will definitely keep them in mind. Back then springing for a more expensive meal was out of the question on my student budget; I had to prioritize and make sure I had money for the bars, of course.

If your town doesn't play host to keggers, Thirsty Thursdays and a $1 shot wheel, it ain't a real college town.

[Whoelsebutcharles]

Always liked Princeton Record Exchange there though. Also ate at a sushi place by the library not too long ago. Other than that, yeah it's kind of a boring town with nothing to do. Almost like having a huge college/university with Highland Park as your downtown instead of New Brunswick.

Those students don't get rowdy, they like having their "study parties".

[twista6002]

I hate to sound like I'm repeating any of the above posts, but if you've ever been to New Brunswick, it's similar but with less bars and a lighter party atmosphere. I hate to sound insulting to NB (and I am a RU student), but it's like the thinking man's New Brunswick.

[subban]

Its not a college town in the sense of having a whole row of frat houses on main street with numerous kids going to get drunk. This is after all princeton. But it is a college town in the sense its more cultural with different restaurants, theatre and intellectual gatherings. I for one can't wait till Noam Chomsky comes back to give a lecture.

[Whoelsebutcharles]

Originally Posted by twista6002

I hate to sound like I'm repeating any of the above posts, but if you've ever been to New Brunswick, it's similar but with less bars and a lighter party atmosphere. I hate to sound insulting to NB (and I am a RU student), but it's like the thinking man's New Brunswick.

Which thus makes New Brunswick a doing man's Princeton