Is Montgomery, NJ
a good place to live?
Yes — Montgomery is one of the best places to live in the Greater Princeton area if you want top-ranked schools plus space and larger lots. Montgomery Township Public Schools rank among New Jersey's best, homes commonly sit on half an acre to two-plus acres just two miles north of Princeton, and the median single-family home is about $1.05M. The honest tradeoffs: it's car-dependent, there's no train station for a one-seat NYC ride, and there's no single walkable downtown.
| Median home price | ~$1.05M (single-family, BrightMLS) |
| Days on market | ~14 days |
| Schools | Montgomery Township Public Schools — top-ranked in NJ |
| NYC commute | No station — drive to Princeton Junction for NEC rail |
| County | Somerset (Skillman & Belle Mead, ~2 mi north of Princeton) |
| Best for | Families wanting top schools + larger lots and newer homes near Princeton |
Why people choose Montgomery
Schools. Montgomery Township Public Schools is consistently ranked among New Jersey's strongest public districts, with rigorous academics and a large, education-focused community. For many buyers this is the single reason they choose the town.
Space and larger lots. Montgomery is where you get room to breathe near Princeton — homes commonly sit on half an acre to two-plus acres, with a more rural, open feel through Skillman and Belle Mead while keeping top schools.
Value vs. Princeton. At a median around $1.05M, Montgomery delivers comparable top-tier schools with more land and newer, larger homes than Princeton's $1.5M+ median, just two miles to the north.
Community & location. It's family-oriented and well-served by parks, with downtown Princeton, the university, and the Route 1 biotech corridor (Novo Nordisk, Bristol Myers Squibb) all a short drive away.
What to weigh before you buy
Car-dependent. Montgomery is a spread-out, suburban-to-rural township — you'll drive for most errands, and there's no single town center to stroll like Princeton's historic downtown.
No one-seat NYC train. Montgomery has no station, so a New York commute means driving to the Princeton Junction station in West Windsor for Northeast Corridor trains. If a one-seat NYC ride is essential, West Windsor fits better.
No single walkable downtown. Daily life centers on shopping plazas rather than one walkable main street — this is a space-and-schools town, not a walk-everywhere setting.
Is it right for you?
Great fit if you want top-ranked schools with more square footage and larger lots, newer homes, and a quieter, more spacious setting just north of Princeton.
Maybe look elsewhere if you want a one-seat NYC train (consider West Windsor), a walkable downtown and prestige (Princeton), or a lower entry price (Lawrence).
Living in Montgomery
FAQ
Is Montgomery, NJ a good place to live?
Yes — especially for families who want top-ranked schools plus space and larger lots. Montgomery Township Public Schools rank among NJ's best, homes commonly sit on half an acre to two-plus acres two miles north of Princeton, and the median price is about $1.05M. The tradeoffs: car-dependent, no train station for a one-seat NYC ride, and no single walkable downtown.
What county is Montgomery, NJ in?
Somerset County — not Mercer. Montgomery Township includes the Skillman and Belle Mead areas, about two miles north of Princeton. Princeton is the closest well-known town, but Montgomery is a separate Somerset County township with its own Montgomery Township Public Schools.
Is Montgomery good for families?
Yes. Montgomery Township Public Schools is consistently ranked among New Jersey's top districts, paired with larger lots, parks, low crime, and family-sized housing — one of the most popular family towns in the Princeton area.
Does Montgomery have a train to NYC?
No. Montgomery has no station, so an NYC commute is a car commute — most residents drive to Princeton Junction in West Windsor for Northeast Corridor trains. If a one-seat NYC train is your priority, West Windsor fits better.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery?
The median single-family sale price is about $1.05M, with homes going under contract in roughly 14 days (BrightMLS) — generally more land and newer, larger homes than Princeton for comparable schools.
Is Montgomery close to Princeton?
Yes. Montgomery Township — including Skillman and Belle Mead — sits about two miles north of Princeton, so downtown, the university, and the Route 1 job corridor are a short drive away. Montgomery is in Somerset County, not Mercer, but functions as a close, more spacious neighbor to Princeton.
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