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Being on your own for the first time after college can be both exciting and scary. If you’re still deciding where you want to move to, why not consider New Jersey? Sure, this might be the 5th smallest state based on land area, but it’s also the most densely populated one with close to 9.3 million residents. Plus, depending on where you move you will be a short train ride or drive away from either NYC or Philadelphia. Depending on what city you move to though, you might not even need to venture outside the state as there are plenty of jobs, entertainment, and more at your fingertips.

So if you’re looking for your first apartment, then consider looking in these NJ cities.

One of the Largest Cities is: Jersey City

If you want to enjoy all the trappings of a large city without dealing with millions of people, then Jersey City might be the place for you. Sure, it’s still crowded as it has almost 300,000 residents residing within 21 square miles, but you still have a bit more breathing room when compared to living in Manhattan. Speaking of Manhattan, you’re only a short train ride away so whether you decide to work or play in NYC, you can make the commute in 30 minutes or less via the Path Train or NJ Transit.

Thanks to its proximity to NYC and being a major port of entry for immigration, Jersey City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States. As such, it’s an amazing place for foodies. You can try cuisines from around the world such as Cuban, Indian, Caribbean, Filipino, and Vietnamese. In fact, Food & Wine declared Jersey City one of America’s next great food cities.

Jersey City offers more than just amazing food; it’s also a great place for job seekers. Many financial firms have opened up locations in Jersey City since the 1980s including Chase, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and Royal Bank of Canada. Because of the high concentration of financial institutions, Jersey City has been given the nickname the Wall Street West. If you’re not interested in working for a large financial company, Jersey City is also home to Colgate-Palmolive and Salesforce. Of course, you can always commute to NYC if you can’t find something you like. You can get easy access to Midtown, the West Village, and Battery Park thanks to the PATH train and NJ Transit buses.

There are plenty of opportunities available in the area and with the lower cost of living and lower income taxes when compared to NYC, you’ll have more money at the end of the month making this one of the best cities in NJ for young professionals. The best part is that the salaries for these financial institutions and other large companies tend to be close to what you would get in NYC. Which means you’re getting a NYC salary without having to worry about NYC rents and other cost of living expenses.

While rents are rising in Jersey City, you can get more for your money so instead of spending $3,000 for a studio apartment, you can get an actual one bedroom complete with a separate living room and kitchen.

Morristown: The Best Place to Find a Soulmate

If you don’t like the fast pace of city life but don’t want to give up on convenience then Morristown might be the perfect place for you. The city only has around 20,000 residents, making it more than 10 times smaller than Jersey City and measures only 3 square miles, making it one of the smallest cities in New Jersey.

Despite its small size, Morristown has plenty to offer. You can hop on the NJ Transit train to go to NYC. Or you can travel to other locations in NJ such as Secaucus or Dover and everything in between. With that said, you don’t need to leave Morristown if you’re looking for things to do. Why not eat at one of the hundreds of restaurants in the area? Or go on a self-guided walking tour to check out the numerous landmarks and historic destinations like Washington’s Headquarters or Jockey Hollow. After that, shop at one of the small retail businesses to support the local economy.

Average rent in Morristown is around $2,600, but that’s for an 800 square foot apartment. Of course, you might be able to find better deals as the price varies greatly depending on unit type. Still, when compared to NYC, you’ll save quite a bit, especially if you opt to have roommates. Plus, you don’t have to spend your saved money on commuting. There are plenty of jobs available in Morristown as it is home to several pharmaceutical companies like Orexo, Bayer, and Vernalis. There are also plenty of small businesses to choose from if you prefer working in a more tight knit organization.

Morristown tends to skew a bit younger with the majority of the population in their 20s and 30s. As such, a large portion of the population is single! In fact, around 60 percent of the population is single. So if you’re looking for your soul mate, Morristown is the perfect place!

Best City for Young Professionals: Hoboken

Don’t be fooled by its small size. Despite its 1.28 square mile size, Hoboken is home to around 60,000 residents making it the 3rd most densely populated city in the United States. However, the city never feels as busy or packed as some streets in NYC, giving it an almost small town vibe, which is helped by homey store fronts and low-rise buildings in the main areas of town.

You have easy access to NYC via the PATH train and can easily get to the West Village or Midtown for work or play. Of course, you don’t need to go into NYC as Hoboken has plenty to offer. Thanks to its growing population and its status as a college town – it’s home to Steven’s Institute of Technology – there’s plenty to do. It has a thriving nightlife scene with more bars per capita than even NYC. If you’re looking for some entertainment, you can find live music almost any night of the week. Or you can walk along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and enjoy the spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.

One fun historical tidbit is that Hoboken is home to modern baseball! On June 19, 1846 Hoboken’s Elysian Fields hosted the very first recorded baseball match that is recognized by modern rules. The game was between The New York Nines and Cartwright’s Knickerbocker squad with the New York Nines winning. While the original Elysian Fields there is a concrete and bronze monument on the intersection between 11th and Washington street to commemorate the baseball field.

Unfortunately, living in Hoboken isn’t cheap so you’ll probably need to live with a couple of roommates in order to afford rent. Still, you’d likely be doing the same thing if you decided to live in NYC, but at least you’ll have more space in Hoboken and save money in other ways! Just make sure you don’t spend all that extra money on the delicious food and drinks!

Highland Park: The Best Place to Live for Gen Z

Highland Park isn’t just one of the best places to live for Gen Z’s, it’s one of the best places to live in NJ, period. With around 15,000 people, this suburb of NYC tends to fly under the radar as it’s not as close to NYC as some of the other locations in this list. It’s definitely more suburban than say Jersey City or Hoboken, so it’s a great option for you if you want to get away from the fast-paced life in a city. Despite being further away from NYC, the town boasts a fairly young demographic with around 37 percent aged 24 to 44. Chances are a lot of graduates from nearby Rutgers University decided to stay in the area!

This historic location is one of the prettiest towns in New Jersey complete with picturesque tree-lined streets, historic homes, and two large parks at either end of town. While you’ll probably want a car to get around, it’s actually quite walkable. Head down to Raritan Avenue to check out the various boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. There’s a weekly farmer’s market and plenty of town events to foster a sense of community. It’s also centrally located so you can easily get to NYC and Philadelphia.

Want to enjoy some nature? Take a stroll along the Raritan River at Donaldson Park in the South or Johnson Park in the Northwest. You can also travel 15-20 minutes outside of town and visit the Rutgers Botanical Garden.

Highland Park has historically been a bedroom community for nearby Rutgers University and Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick. While there aren’t any major companies in Highland Park itself, New Brunswick boasts several including Bristol-Myers Squibb, RWJBarnabas Health, and more. There are also many small businesses in Highland Park though it might be harder to find a position locally.

Perhaps the biggest draw of Highland Park is its lower cost of living. The average rent price is around $2,000 for an 800 square foot apartment, making it a great option if you want to save some money. More importantly, it’s a location where you can set roots if you want. It has low crime, great schools, and a welcoming community.

Ready to Move to New Jersey?

If you’re thinking about moving to NYC, but can’t figure out how you’ll afford rent, then consider moving to one of these NJ cities. Many of them are close enough to NYC that you can easily commute if you want. At the same time, they also offer plenty of job opportunities and entertainment that you can live, work, and have fun all in the same place.

Once you’re ready to make your move, make sure to call up some professional NJ movers like us. We’ll walk you through it so you know exactly what to expect and we’ll work with your budget. You can give us a call for a free estimate and hopefully, after chatting with our customer service representatives, you’ll understand why we’re the movers NJ residents trust.

When most people hear Princeton, the first thing that pops into their head is Princeton University. While the renowned is a dominant feature of the city, there’s much more to see and do in the area. Ranked as one of the best places to live in New Jersey, it offers a nice suburban feel and provides easy access to both New York City and Philadelphia.

Important Things to Know About Princeton, NJ

It Has a Long History

Prior to European settlement in the 17th century, the Lenape Native Americans were the earliest identifiable inhabitants of the region. Princeton was named in 1724 upon the construction of the first house by James Leonard, who first referred to the community as Princeton. There are two theories as to why the town came to be named Princeton. The first suggests it was named after King William III, Prince William of Orange of the House of Nassau. The second theory is that the name came from a landowner named Henry Prince.

Great Job Prospects in New Jersey

Besides working at Princeton or the other nearby colleges, Princeton is also home to several multinational companies as well as hundreds of small businesses ranging from retail to health & wellness.

Easy Access to New York City and Philadelphia

Despite its relatively small size, there’s actually quite a lot to do in Princeton as it boasts several restaurants, locally owned retail stores, a world class art museum, and much more. Of course, if you do get bored, you’re equidistant to both NYC and Philadelphia whether you feel like taking the Amtrak or NJ Transit.

It’s Famous as a College Town

As you might expect, Princeton, NJ is a college-town. Princeton University is the most well known and prestigious. A total of six presidents attended Princeton University, which is only two behind Harvard, which has the highest number of presidential alumni, with a total of eight.

Besides this, Princeton also has connections to more than 40 Nobel laureates, 17 winners of the National Medal of Science, and 5 recipients of the National Humanities Award. It’s no wonder that people from around the world apply to this illustrious college. As such, despite its relatively small population it is very diverse with people from different countries and backgrounds coming together.

Besides Princeton University, the town is also home to Mercer Community College, Westminster Choir College, and Princeton Theological Seminary. As such, the population ebbs and flows with the school year.

Princeton Neighborhoods

Don’t be fooled by its small population, Princeton has several different neighborhoods that offer a variety of settings and house-styles.

Western Section – extending west and north from the Princeton Battle Monument, this area includes many older and, in some cases, historic homes complete with beautiful lawns. It is also close to the center of town making it one of the most desirable neighborhoods.
The Institute & Hun Area – West and south of Elm Road, this area offers newer and more luxurious homes. There are several parks and open spaces that belong to Princeton University as well as the Springdale golf course.
Rosedale – Bordering Rosedale Road, this section offers many stately homes that tend to have somewhat larger properties than those closer to town. You can enjoy rolling hills and beautiful hiking trails within the many preserved lands.
Ettl Farm – located west of Rosedale and is one of the largest developments in Princeton with more than 80 homes. You can enjoy a true ‘neighborhood’ feel and get to know your neighbors.
Pretty Brook – This gated area has some of the newest and most notable mansions in town. You can enjoy a varied landscape here complete with hills, streams, ponds, and wooded spots. The area is quiet and offers much more privacy than other locations.
Princeton Center – In the heart of Princeton and located a short walk or bike to the center of town, Princeton University, or Westminster Choir College. It’s also convenient to many primary schools and the Princeton Shopping Center.
Riverside & Littlebrook – bounded on the south and east by Carnegie Lake, this mostly residential neighborhood is a relatively new development. While not as dense as Ettl Farm, there are more houses popping up especially along the lake.
Town & Country – Located about 20 minutes way from Princeton Center, this area offers easy access to public parks, playing fields, various nature preserves, and more
Battlefield – On both sides of Mercer Road stretches the Battlefield site, a now picturesque area that is often the site of wedding parties. It’s a perfect place for hiking and, occasionally, cross-country skiing.

Schools in Princeton, NJ

Princeton, NJ has a total of 6 public schools that serve students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The public schools have an enviable student-teach ratio of 11:1. Princeton High School consistently ranks in the top 10 of best schools in New Jersey and top 50 best public high schools in America. The other public schools consistently receive high grades from the state as well as parents due to the excellent teachers and varied/challenging curriculum.

Besides public schools, Princeton is also home to several private schools including the St. Paul’s Catholic School, which is the oldest and only coeducational Catholic School. Other notable private schools include Hun Schools of Princeton, and Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science. The city also has a Japanese Language School that teaches weekend Japanese classes for Japanese citizen children abroad to the standard of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).

When it comes to higher education, Princeton is, of course, well known for being the home of Princeton University. Founded in 1746, it is the 4th oldest institution of higher education in the United States and often ranked among the best and most prestigious universities in the world.

Jobs in Princeton, New Jersey

One of the largest employers of Princeton is, of course, Princeton University. Besides working as a professor, there are many administrative level jobs throughout the university. If you don’t want to work for a university, there are plenty of other options. While the city might not have as many large corporations as places like Jersey City, you can find jobs at places like Johnson & Johnson, Black Rock, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

There are plenty of other opportunities if you prefer a smaller environment. There’s truly something for everyone. There are plenty of small shops you can work at if you are looking for something part-time. You can also find plenty of full-time work with the local companies that provide business services such as health and wellness, construction, education, and more.

If you want to start your own business, then Princeton, NJ is a great location to move to. There is a chapter of Startup Grind, which is the world’s largest community of startups, founders, innovators, and creators. The community provides networking events, workshops, and promotes NJ and regional startups. And once you do start your business, there are plenty of talented college graduates to choose from!

Cost of Living in Princeton

Princeton, NJ is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey, and with that comes a hefty price tag. The average cost of a home is around $910,000 although the various mansions in the area drive up the price. In general, home prices cost around $400 per square foot. This is still significantly higher than the $184 per square foot median price for houses in the US. This doesn’t even include the average property tax bill of $19,388/year.

However, you get a lot for your money including safe neighborhoods, an excellent school system, and proximity to two major cities. Despite the high prices, the majority of Princeton residents own their home. If you can’t afford to buy, there are some apartments available, but they tend to be on the more expensive side. You can expect to pay an average of $2,000 for a 1 bedroom apartment.

In general, living in Princeton, NJ isn’t cheap. You’ll be paying more for groceries, utilities, transportation, and property taxes. The only area where you might save money is with healthcare. It’s no surprise the median household income is over $130,000.

Safety and Crime

Princeton is a relatively safe town with a crime rate of around 10 per 10,000 residents. This makes the rate around average for other cities and towns in the US. If you live here, you don’t have to worry too much about violent crime. Instead, the most common type of crime is property crime. You can curb this by installing security cameras and having up signs saying that your property is under camera surveillance 24/7.

The southeast part of Princeton is widely considered the safest part of the city while the southwest areas tend to have more crime. This can be attributed to many retail establishments in the western part of the city. In general, more crimes are committed on retail blocks where few people live. This isn’t an indictment of the western portion of Princeton. In fact, overall the city is fairly safe.

Princeton Demographics

Princeton has a population of around 30,000 people. There are slightly more men than women and around 55 percent of the population has a graduate degree. This isn’t a huge surprise considering the influence of Princeton University on the town.

While not as diverse as places like Jersey City or New York City, Princeton does have a sizable minority population with around 17 percent identifying as Asiant and around 6 percent identifying as Black or African American. The majority, 72 percent, identify as white.

Princeton Weather

Princeton’s climate is considered a humid subtropical climate, similar to that of New York City. That means you get hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. For the most part, Princeton doesn’t experience too many extreme weather events besides blizzards thanks to its location. Unlike places like Jersey City or Atlantic City, Princeton did not suffer tremendous power outages or deaths from Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Fun and Exciting Things to Do in Princeton

It might not be a big town, but Princeton still has a lot to offer if you’re looking for some fun activities for the family. It’s also a very walkable town, so if you’re visiting then find a place to park and explore the town on foot. Yes, the entire town is around 18 square miles, but there are plenty of places where you can park and enjoy the scenery from the downtown area to the parks.

Experience the arts – Princeton is home to the Princeton University Art Museum that houses over 92,000 works of art ranging from antiquity to the contemporary period. Even just walking around campus can be an excellent study in architecture and landscaping as the grounds have beautiful buildings and gardens. If you’re more of a music or theater fan, Princeton is home to several performance arts centers so you can enjoy amazing music, plays, or improv!
Take in the history – There are many historical locations in Princeton including Albert Einstein’s house, Princeton Battlefield State Park, Jugtown Historic District, and Westland Mansion to name a few.
Enjoy nature – if you love being outside, then Princeton is the place for you. There are many protected reserves and parks to enjoy including: D&R Canal State Park, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Marquand Park, Lake Carnegie
Visit the local eateries – you wouldn’t think a small town of 30,000 would have a lot of food options, but there are plenty of restaurants and small eateries to choose from. Enjoy a farm-to-table experience at Agricola or enjoy a cup of coffee at Small World Cafe.
Cheer on the local sports teams – if you’re a sports fan then you’ll be happy to know that Princeton has one of the largest and most successful athletic programs in the NCAA division. They have the best-known men’s and women’s basketball teams within the Ivy League. On top of that their football team has claimed 15 football championships!

Moving to Princeton

Prnceton’s population has remained relatively steady though demand seems to be increasing as evidenced by the rise in development. If you’re looking for a place to start a family, then Princeton is an excellent choice. It might not be cheap, but it offers top-notch education and family activities.

Once you’re ready to move, make sure to hire local movers NJ like us! We can help make your move quick and easy! Reach out to ask for a free quote!

Tag: best places to live

The Best Places to Live in NJ for Gen Z

One of the Largest Cities is: Jersey City

Morristown: The Best Place to Find a Soulmate

Best City for Young Professionals: Hoboken