Towns like Lambertville/ New Hope? (New Brunswick, Point Pleasant: lease, houses, theatres)

[kcait]

My fiancé' works in Princeton Junction and we are currently in Plainsboro. The area is really charming and we enjoy it. Everything we need is close by except things to do at night (hangouts,pubs,anything?!). We may relocate to a different town once the lease is up and are looking for suggestions! The area seems to be mostly suburbia but we really enjoy how nice and new everything is in Plainsboro. Is there the best of both worlds? Nice and more lively- close to Princeton? We really enjoyed Lambertville /New Hope area. Are there more areas like those?

[manderly6]

How about close to downtown Princeton? It will cost more, but it will definitely give you some options at night.

[Cherno]

We really enjoyed Lambertville /New Hope area. Are there more areas like those?

Agree completely with manderly6. The only thing close to hip, nightlife and towns in your area (that have character) would be New Brunswick or Asbury Park. Both have some still apparent urban blight, but also enough cool open-minded young people.

You will find nothing like New Hope/ Lambertville. I tried looking at the other river towns like Stockton, Frenchtown & Milford, but they're not in the same league.

[teachbeach]

Probably New Brunswick and Princeton would offer you more "nightlife" and things to do (University sports, bars/clubs, coffee houses, theatres, plays, urban vibe etc.) but they are just a 20 minute commute from Plainsboro. I love the Plainsboro area because of it's green space, building restrictions and the amenities close by~train station, stores, new hospital, access to Route 1 or 130. It's just so pleasant to be able to have the peace and quiet and travel out to the "hot spots".

There are a couple of good restaurants in the Hightstown area, out on 206 towards Belle Mead area, and up Route 27 going through Cranbury and into Kingston. Even North Brunswick/South Brunswick on either Route 130 and Route 1 might have more "action". I'm not sure how Freehold is these days, but there may be some places along Route 33 as you head towards the "shore"~Red Bank, Point Pleasant, Belmar etc. have great fun places, although many will be closed during the winter season.

There were for many years, places on Route 1 tucked in to or behind the malls that were always fun~I met my husband at one near the Quaker Bridge Mall. It's no longer there, but the area was always popular for the Princeton/Route 1 Corridor/Forrestal Village and Cranbury young professionals.