Princeton has always been one of our favorite towns and anyone who’s been there agrees it’s a Garden State gem not only for its beautiful downtown, eclectic restaurants and picturesque Ivy League campus but also for its strong sense of community. And now Niche has just named Princeton the best place to live in NJ in its latest rankings.
To come up with its list of Best Places to Live in New Jersey, Niche analyzed the type of area (city, suburb, town), public school grades, cost of living, walkability, mix of residents (young professionals, families, retirees), crime rates, homes and home ownership levels, politics, and things to do in the area.
Princeton came in at No. 1 for its suburban family feel mixed with its iconic university campus and vibrant downtown. We love Nassau Street and Palmer Square, and the town’s stunning architecture. You can learn about American history at Morven Museum & Garden, see a stage play or ballet at McCarter Theatre Center, have dinner at Witherspoon Grill, or try some artisanal ice cream at Halo Pub. It’s also the former home of Albert Einstein. Take a quick drive to Princeton Shopping Center for another area filled with unique small businesses.
No. 2, Ho-Ho-Kus, is sometimes referred to as Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show.” With just about 4,000 residents, it’s a quaint, quiet town with top-notch schools, young families and a very high median home value of almost $1 million. It also has a cute downtown and lots of history, including a racetrack dating back to 1867, and a trolley from the early 1900s. The Hermitage is a beautiful place to learn about Native American history.
Princeton Junction, which is part of West Windsor Twp. (not Princeton) and has a suburban feel, came in at the No. 3 spot. The landscape is dotted with parks, and families flock here for its highly-rated schools. There’s also a train station stop along the Northeast Corridor Line making it ideal for commuters.
Coming in at No. 4, Ridgewood is a prime dining and shopping destination with architecturally beautiful homes. People from all over Bergen County come to Ridgewood to dine out at one of the many restaurants along and near East Ridgewood Avenue or to grab dessert or coffee at one of its many cute shops.
Harrington Park, a suburb of NYC that’s pretty and quiet, came in fifth on the list. It has great public schools, a tight-knit community and low crime rates. It also prides itself on its farmers market and green team.
These Are The 20 Best Places to Live in New Jersey, according to Niche:
- Princeton
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Princeton Junction
- Ridgewood
- Harrington Park
- River Edge
- Closter
- Mountain Lakes
- Hoboken
- Upper Montclair
- Metuchen
- New Providence
- Summit
- Haworth
- Haddonfield
- Montgomery Twp.
- Madison
- Glen Ridge
- Berkeley Heights
- Fanwood
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
How North, Central or South Jersey Are You?
These 3 Towns Have Some of the Most Charming Main Streets in New Jersey
These Are The Best Places to Visit in NJ, According to Travel & Leisure
These Two New Jersey Towns Were Named Top Enchanting Towns in the Northeast