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I am moving to NJ with my family and we are having a tough time deciding on where to settle down for the next year or two. We are looking to move in to an apartment for the time being. I think we have settled on two areas specifically. 1. Princeton Junction and 2. Lawrenceville (near Quaker Bridge Mall).
Does anyone have some suggestions on the following:
1. We have heard Lawrenceville can be hit or miss, is the part of Lawrenceville we are thinking about okay? Safety is our primary concern--is this an area where we have to worry about crime or any issues associated with Trenton?
2. Is one (Princeton Junction vs. Lawrenceville) safer than the other? Or are both comparable?
3. Any other positives or negatives we should take into account?
Any information would be so useful. Thank you in advance!
We did the same move years ago. Rented in Lawrence Square Village on Quaker Bridge Rd. initially.
Lawrence is a large township, parts of it border Trenton but the area around Mercer Mall or Quaker Bridge Mall are well away from Trenton.
Quaker Bridge Rd. is the border between Lawrence and Princeton Jct (West Windsor).
One thing we found was our car insurance was higher when we lived in Lawerence because part of Lawrence bordered Trenton.
JerseyJ, thanks for the info. How did you like the area from a safety perspective? If you know the area enough, is there a big difference between the Princeton Junction area and Lawrenceville? Thanks again!
We have lived in the area for almost 30 years. Both Lawrence and West Windsor Townships are mostly sprawling suburbs, the Villiage of Lawrenceville is an older, quaint part of the Township that has a small (maybe 2 block) "downtown" with small family owned restaurants and a PO.
Both are very safe except for a very small part of Lawrence near the Trenton Farmers Market (where Trenton, Lawrence and Ewing meet).
Where you are looking (near QuakerBridge) is about as far away from Trenton as you can get while staying in Lawrence. West Windsor is across QB from that mall.
The schools in WW are rated better than Lawrence if that is important to you.
If safety is your main concern that area is very safe except for the typical retail crimes.
Thank you both! We wont need to worry about kids for now, just looking primarily for safety. We want to be able to not worry about our place being broken into, us being able to walk around at night without looking over our shoulders (well, not as much at least!), and not having any issues with our car being parked in a parking lot for the most part. I know things can happen anywhere, but we would like to limit the chances. Thanks again! Sounds like Lawrenceville around the Costco and mall isn't all too bad.
Are prices for apartments in Princeton Junction higher than Lawrenceville higher simply because of the schools?
That area is very safe. The Mercer at Lawrence Station? It is pretty new and walkable to both Costco and Quakerbridge Village Commons.
Housing in WW is higher due to the popularity of the school district but also because of the train station (service to NYC and Philly). Princeton Jct Station is one of the busiest stations along the NEC.
Hey Jerseyj: in Lawrenceville we were looking at the Mercer and the Eaves. In Princeton Junction we were looking at The Mews and the Avalon. Heard anything about those other places?
Thanks again. We are going to head up that way shortly to look around and settle on a place. We appreciate the insights! I had no idea about the train station being that busy but it makes sense. Nice to have easy transport in and out of NYC.
Have collegues who live at the Mews and at Avalon, just the usual complaints of thin walls. Lots of kids in both places, they have pools, playgrounds and excersize rooms.
A Suburban bus picks up people on Clarksville Rd for travel to the station.
The Mews has a free shuttle to the station.
There is a section of the Wallace Rd lot at the train station that residents of WW can park at for free on the weekends. Great for shows and concerts in NYC.
Haven't heard much about The Mercer but it is close to Costco and Village Commons.
The Eaves is across Grovers Mill Rd from the Quakerbridge Mall and walkable to NY Athletic Club and KC Prime.
With any low-rise apartment building in NJ, you want to be on the top floor for noise reasons. And on a corner of the building if you can get it (so less adjoining neighbors the better). That would probably be my deciding factor as to which one I picked personally.
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