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I am considering moving to NJ for a job in New Brunswick. I am single and in my 40s and African American. I love plays, biking, a neighborhood where I can walk to stores, intellectual friendly neighbors. I like Philly much more than NYC. I don't think a commute by car or train from Philly will work from me but I would try to spend a lot of time in Philly on the weekends. I am considering a weekend apartment in Philadelphia. Living in NYC doesn't seem affordable or a good standard of living. I prefer city living but on a smaller scale like Philly, but Philly really is too far from New Brunswick . I am thinking I should target downtown Princeton. The taxes seem high but I think I would be happier in an area with a walkable downtown and theater. Yardley and New Hope look to have too far of a commute to New Brunswick but taxes look better. I thought the commute would be a bit over 1/2 hour from Princeton but traffic sounds bad. I have also thought Westfield may be good too. Trying to find an area where I would not feel isolated and would feel comfortable in the community.
Commute from Princeton or Westfield to New Brunwick? Living single in my 40s either place? What areas of Princeton flood, near university?
Sorry if my questions overlap other threads. Just trying to get a perspective that isn't family oriented or for a new grad. Thank you.
Also I should ask if living in downtown Princeton is advisable for an African American. I have never heard that Princeton is racially friendly. Has that changed? Thanks
South Brunswick might be an option, just to be closer to work. Check out/ consider Plainsboro~very diverse with families of all races/cultures/dynamics. Lots of options with condos, apartments and townhouses. They've done an exceptional job of maintaining green space and trails, you're close to the canal and to all of Princeton's amenities, without the price tag. Commuting to New Brunswick would take about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, unless you are able to make the trip at "off times". Both Routes 1 & 130 are the feeders from the south and are congested with traffic and lights at peak travel hours.
You could still hop on the train to commute to Philadelphia or NYC on weekends. There is a long wait period for the commuter train parking in most of those communities, but you can also check into taking the train to work (Princeton Jct., South Brunswick to New Brunswick). If you were to live in South Brunswick, there are back roads through Franklin Twp that might be quicker in to parts of New Brunswick. Highland Park or Metuchen have small downtown areas, and you're still close to New Brunswick. Not all areas of New Brunswick are economically depressed, there are some great apartments and subdivisions that have been able to escape the "blight".
Princeton should work for you. I don't think the racism it was infamous for in the past still persists today, the town and surrounding area are pretty diverse and liberal. University professors, engineers and chemists working at nearby corporate complexes, lawyers driving hybrids, etc.
Thanks for responding Teachbeach. The cost of homes is not a factor but being able to walk to stores and restaurants and theater is....a sort of city living feeling. Being single I don't want to live in a subdivision or a town focused on families. I will check out the areas you mention though to see if anything is appealing. Willing to pay to have amenities I like if I decide to move from a metropolitan area.
Sounds like there is an inference though that Princeton may not be desirable. Given price is not a factor for me, I wonder if Princeton is not only is not culturally diverse (which is not an issue....sorry about the double negative) but also potentially culturally unwelcoming.
Last edited by Cyclist67; 06-05-2016 at 01:46 PM..
Thanks for responding NJ Highlands87. I read a thread on here about Princeton being the only cool town in NJ but the liberal people there do not want black neighbors which is why I posed the question. I guess I need to go look see, walk around and see how comfortable I am. I really appreciate your insights.
Thanks for responding, but New Brunswick appears ecomically depressed.
Oops, sorry for typo
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