Trying to choose between Princeton, Montgomery Township, and Lambertville can feel like comparing three great but very different options. You want the best match for your commute, daily rhythm, and the kind of home and neighborhood that feel right. In this guide, you’ll see how each town stacks up on housing styles, downtown vibe, commute patterns, schools, and lifestyle. You’ll also get a simple decision checklist and a practical touring plan to move from browsing to confident shortlisting. Let’s dive in.
Princeton at a glance
Princeton sits in central Mercer County with a classic college-town core anchored by Princeton University. You get a walkable downtown, robust arts and culture, and a mix of historic homes and newer options. Rail access through Princeton Junction makes regional commuting more convenient than in many suburbs.
Montgomery at a glance
Just north of Princeton in Somerset County, Montgomery Township offers a quieter, suburban feel with larger lots and newer subdivisions. Commercial areas are clustered in plazas rather than a traditional main street. Many buyers come for space, community recreation, and a relaxed pace.
Lambertville at a glance
Lambertville is a small, historic river town on the Delaware, across from New Hope, Pennsylvania. It is arts-forward, highly walkable, and rich with galleries, cafés, and antiques. It draws buyers who love character homes, a creative community, and easy access to outdoor river and canal paths.
Housing styles and lots
Princeton
Princeton offers a wide range of homes: historic Colonials and Victorians close to town, townhomes and condos near the core, and newer single-family options on the periphery. Lot sizes vary from small borough parcels to generous suburban plots. Many downtown-area properties date to the 18th through early 20th centuries, while outer neighborhoods include mid- to late-20th-century homes and recent infill.
Montgomery Township
Montgomery is predominantly single-family detached homes, often in subdivisions built from the 1980s through the 2010s. You will find quarter-acre lots and, in many pockets, multi-acre properties, including some luxury and custom homes. Neighborhoods feel newer and are designed for owner-occupiers who value space and quieter streets.
Lambertville
Lambertville’s housing skews historic and charming: 19th-century rowhouses, Victorians, cottages, and some converted lofts. Lots are typically smaller in the historic grid, with larger parcels on upper streets and along the river. Many homes have preserved period details, and some may require ongoing stewardship consistent with historic character.
Practical note: both Princeton and Lambertville include historic districts. If you plan renovations or additions, ask your agent to confirm any local historic-preservation reviews and zoning rules that could affect your plans.
Downtown vibe and amenities
Princeton
The downtown delivers upscale college-town energy with cafés, diverse dining, boutiques, and cultural programming tied to the university. You can catch theater, lectures, and museum visits, plus farmers markets and community events. Family amenities include parks, a public library, and many extracurricular options.
Montgomery Township
Montgomery does not have a large, traditional downtown. Most retail is in auto-oriented plazas and small nodes in Skillman and Belle Mead. You get community recreation centers, parks, sports fields, and periodic township events that support a family-focused lifestyle.
Lambertville
Lambertville is compact and highly walkable with a strong arts and antiques scene. Expect galleries, craft breweries, cafés, and weekend buzz from visitors. The canal towpath and riverfront add a scenic, outdoor dimension to daily life.
Commute and transportation
Princeton
Princeton’s edge is rail convenience through Princeton Junction on NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor line. Many residents use park-and-ride options and frequent service to reach New York or connect regionally. Proximity to Route 1 and I-295 supports car commutes across central New Jersey and toward the Philadelphia region.
Montgomery Township
Montgomery is more car-dependent. There is no major rail station inside the township, so most commuters drive to nearby stations such as Princeton Junction or use park-and-ride buses. Driving is the norm for professionals working in central New Jersey employment nodes.
Lambertville
Lambertville does not have direct rail service. The nearest major hub is Trenton for NJ Transit and SEPTA connections. Many residents commute into Bucks County or Trenton, and seasonal weekend traffic on the bridge to Pennsylvania can slow cross-river trips.
Tip for tours: test your full commute during typical rush hours, including parking at stations and transfer times. This small step often clarifies the best-fit town quickly.
Schools and family life
Princeton
Public schools serve borough residents, and there is also a range of private school options plus university-connected programs and camps. Families value the depth of extracurriculars and community resources. Always verify district boundaries for any property.
Montgomery Township
Montgomery is often chosen for family-oriented neighborhoods, community sports, and parks. Public schools serve local residents, and district specifics depend on the property address. Confirm school assignments directly with the district before making an offer.
Lambertville
Lambertville has smaller-scale local arrangements and regional connections. Families sometimes enroll in nearby districts depending on grade and residency. Because boundaries can be complex, confirm the current school alignment for each address with the district.
Lifestyle and recreation
Princeton
Cultural life is a major feature, from theater and lectures to museum exhibits and university events. Recreation includes trails, lake access, tennis, and summer programs. Evenings offer a broader selection of dining and casual nightlife than many suburbs.
Montgomery Township
Life here leans into open space and community recreation. You will find parks, trails, equestrian options in rural pockets, and well-used sports fields. The lower density and larger lots support a calmer daily rhythm.
Lambertville
The arts and outdoors combine along the river and canal. Enjoy galleries, antique shops, seasonal festivals, and easy access to boating and cycling. The evening scene centers on cafés, restaurants, and occasional live music, with busier weekends tied to tourism.
How to decide: a simple checklist
Use this weighted framework to rate each town 1 to 5, then multiply by the weight to create a clear shortlist.
- Commute priority, weight 20 to 30 percent: daily NYC rail commute, lean Princeton; car-based or park-and-ride flexibility, consider Montgomery; Philadelphia or Bucks County ties, Lambertville is competitive.
- Housing style and lot size, weight 20 percent: historic and walkable, choose Princeton borough or Lambertville; newer subdivisions and larger yards, choose Montgomery; mix of condos and single-family, Princeton fits.
- Schools and child-focused amenities, weight 20 percent: families often prioritize Montgomery and parts of Princeton; verify district boundaries for any address; for a small-town school environment, review Lambertville’s current alignments.
- Downtown lifestyle and culture, weight 15 percent: university-driven culture and diverse dining, Princeton; quiet suburban retail and family recreation, Montgomery; arts, antiques, and riverfront energy, Lambertville.
- Budget and maintenance tolerance, weight 15 percent: smaller lots and condo or HOA options, Princeton; larger properties with more landscape needs, Montgomery; older homes and potential historic considerations, Lambertville.
Your touring plan
Pre-tour preparation
- Share a ranked list of priorities with your agent using the checklist above.
- Ask for representative properties in each town across different styles and price points.
- Request school boundary verification for each property.
On-the-ground tests
- Visit in the morning and evening to feel neighborhood activity and noise levels.
- Walk downtowns to gauge walkability, parking, and the business mix that suits you.
- Drive your likely commute routes during peak times and, if relevant, test a full rail trip.
- Check cell coverage and internet options at each property, especially for hybrid work.
Key questions to ask
- What are typical utility profiles and property taxes in this neighborhood?
- Are any zoning changes or infrastructure projects planned nearby?
- How long do homes in this bracket tend to stay on the market?
- What are the school assignment rules and any special program options?
Inspection focus by town
- Princeton and Lambertville: prioritize thorough inspections on older homes, including roof, foundation, HVAC, and any historic constraints.
- Montgomery: for larger-lot homes, consider septic and well inspections if applicable, plus drainage and site conditions.
Which town fits you?
If a reliable rail commute and cultural depth matter most, Princeton is likely your match. If you want a newer home on a larger lot in a quiet, family-oriented setting, Montgomery delivers. If you are drawn to historic charm, a creative community, and riverfront recreation, Lambertville is compelling. Your best next step is to test commute and neighborhood feel, then refine your shortlist with a local expert.
Ready to compare properties and neighborhoods in person? Connect with Jennifer Dionne for a calm, concierge-level plan tailored to your priorities.
FAQs
How do NYC commutes differ among Princeton, Montgomery, and Lambertville?
- Princeton offers convenient rail access via Princeton Junction, while Montgomery and Lambertville typically require driving to stations or using park-and-ride options that add time to the door-to-door trip.
What housing styles can I expect in each town?
- Princeton mixes historic single-family homes with townhomes, condos, and newer builds; Montgomery leans newer single-family subdivisions with larger lots; Lambertville features historic rowhouses, Victorians, cottages, and some loft conversions.
How should I think about schools in these towns?
- Each town has local public school options, and boundaries can be complex, so verify the exact assignment for any address directly with the district before you make an offer.
How does downtown walkability compare across the three?
- Princeton and Lambertville have compact, walkable cores with cafés and shops, while Montgomery relies more on auto-oriented plazas and smaller commercial nodes.
What should I test during a property tour to choose confidently?
- Drive your commute at peak times, walk the downtowns you will use most, check school boundaries, confirm cell and internet service, and align inspection focus with the age and type of home in each town.
