Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 30,451, Princeton is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $1,040,400, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Nice parks and trails
- Growing food scene
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Not enough green space
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cheers. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Brenda D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Hudson Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Eva
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
29 upvotes
houston_valentina
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And community vibe 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.
26 upvotes
atlwalker2021
I work in manufacturing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
living_olivia13
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Bradley F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Jeremiah Lopez
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Jack M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
8 upvotes
Scarlett Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Camila C.
Moved here from Houston about 10 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Victoria C.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
0 upvotes
David Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
All Countries
