Sign In Register
Bennett Thomas qa

Best coffee shops in Princeton?

Hi all, Household incomes average around $184,113 in Princeton. The median home value here is around $1,040,400, which is pretty steep. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes

8 Replies

Alexa Martin
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Violet M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
nycguy2020
I work in tech here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Eleanor P.
Moved here from Chicago about 1 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Jace Gray
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Miles
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
9 upvotes
Jameson B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement

Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Jaxon Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
4 upvotes
← Back to Princeton Community