Town hunting between Princeton and Philadelphia (Croydon, Franklin: insurance, condo, homes)

[nk303]

Hi! My husband works in Princeton,NJ and I just got a job In Philadelphia (near Port Richmond area). We want to live in young & safe neighbourhood which would be about 30-35 mins drive for my husband and 15-20 mins for me.
A good location is our priority. Please advise.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by nk303

Hi! My husband works in Princeton,NJ and I just got a job In Philadelphia (near Port Richmond area). We want to live in young & safe neighbourhood which would be about 30-35 mins drive for my husband and 15-20 mins for me.
A good location is our priority. Please advise.

Try Newtown, Lower Makefield or Yardley, all in Bucks County. The commute time may be reversed for the two of you, but these are great areas in which to live.

[Mom in Bedminster Twp]

I agree with Sunil's Dad. I am not sure of your situation but Newtown would be the best area. It is expensive but the school district is good, it's safe and is close to both Philly and Princeton.
I'm not sure what is available on the other side of the river but PA taxes and insurance are lower if that is any concern.

[veuvegirl]

We moved to Yardley about a year ago and so far love it. It's easy to get to Princeton, and the train is in Yardley if your husband would prefer that over driving.

[nk303]

Thank you for the suggestions. Newton and Yardley are more than 20 mins commute for me. Do you know of towns closer to Philly are? How is Croydon?

[BarryK123]

You don't want to be in Croydon.

I agree with the above posters that Newtown and Yardley are the best choices. If you really want to get closer to Phila, parts of Bensalem aren't too bad.

[nk303]

Thanks BarryK123, appreciate the insights. a few follow-up questions for anyone who can help:
1) What do you think of the Northern Liberties neighborhood?
2) Does it make sense to stay in Northern Liberties - given its proximity to the Old City area (we have old City is a GREAT place to live)?
3) We may end up having two cars to park every evening - so parking -cost and time - are important considerations.
4) Whats the best guess for commuting time from Northern Liberties/Old town to Princeton (Google says 60 mins.)?

Many thanks for your time in advance, I really appreciate your help.

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by nk303

Thanks BarryK123, appreciate the insights. a few follow-up questions for anyone who can help:
1) What do you think of the Northern Liberties neighborhood?
2) Does it make sense to stay in Northern Liberties - given its proximity to the Old City area (we have old City is a GREAT place to live)?
3) We may end up having two cars to park every evening - so parking -cost and time - are important considerations.
4) Whats the best guess for commuting time from Northern Liberties/Old town to Princeton (Google says 60 mins.)?

Many thanks for your time in advance, I really appreciate your help.

Northern Liberties has been "up and coming" for awhile. The commercial development on Girard Avenue of late has helped, but it's still a work in progress residentially...and in terms of safety. It's still not a neighborhood one can feel good about walking around in after dark. The neighborhood is frequently targeted for break-ins, both homes and autos.

If you're able, look in Old City. There are some more affordable options in Old City now versus the past few years, as prices are falling...especially in the overbuilt condo market. The area north of the Ben Franklin Bridge and south of Callowhill has some good options and is quieter/less commercial than the area further south.

I think Google is factoring the worst-case-scenario commute (or driving to the center of Princeton) as I have regularly made the equidistant drive to New Hope (which is two lane road about a third of the way) in about 45 minutes. Also it depends upon where in Princeton your husband is working...many of the corporate office parks and the like are on the south side of Princeton closer to Philadelphia.

[mltimes]

Given the choice, I'd rather be in Northern Liberties than Old City, for cost per square foot reasons, new, well designed, green housing stock, better shopping and restaurants, as well my personal opinion that hipsters are less annoying than the crowd in Old City on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

That said, is it even possible to get from NoLibs to Princeton in 35 minutes? If you want an artsy, walkable Northern Liberties/city atmosphere, you won't like most of Bucks County. I'm just not sure that there is any place like that smack in between Philly and Princeton that would satisfy both your and your husband's commute time requirements.

[john_starks]

how about off 295 in jersey? somewhere in burlington county maybe?

mt laurel or bordentown...i'm not sure how young and hip the folks are though..