Princeton is one of Central New Jersey's most desirable places to live, work, study, and spend a Saturday afternoon. It's also one of the area's more expensive rental markets. But living near Princeton and living in Princeton aren't the same decision, and they don't come with the same costs and benefits.
If your goal is to get to Princeton University, Nassau Street, local restaurants, offices, and cultural attractions quickly, expanding your apartment search just a few miles beyond Princeton can open up considerably more options. Montgomery Township and Skillman sit directly north of the Princeton area, close enough for an easy drive or commute while offering a quieter setting and apartment communities outside the Princeton rental market.
Here's what that tradeoff actually looks like in practice.
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Often, yes, but that’s only the short answer. "Cheaper" isn't really the most useful way to think about anything. A better question is: "How much am I willing to pay to be inside Princeton rather than minutes from it?"
Princeton's popularity creates a location premium. Renters aren't only paying for bedrooms, square footage, and appliances. They're also paying for immediate access to Princeton itself. That doesn't mean every apartment in every surrounding town costs less. Rental rates still depend on the property, floor plan, amenities, and availability.
What changes is the number of ways you can balance your housing budget against the things that matter most to you. For one renter, that might mean paying more to walk to campus. For another, it might mean driving ten minutes and getting more space, easier parking, or amenities they would have to compromise on downtown.
For more ways to think about total value instead of monthly rent alone, see our blog on how apartment living can save money and time.
Skillman is closer than many renters realize. It is part of Montgomery Township, immediately north of the Princeton area. From The Somerset at Montgomery on Route 206, Princeton University is roughly 5.7 miles away, with typical mapping estimates putting the drive around 11 minutes.
That makes Skillman less of a separate destination and more of an extension of the broader Princeton-area lifestyle. You can live in Somerset County, come home to Montgomery Township, and still head into Princeton for dinner without treating it like a night out in another city.
For most drivers, the commute is surprisingly ordinary. Route 206 provides a direct path south toward Princeton, so getting from Montgomery Township into the Princeton area is generally a straightforward local drive rather than a complicated regional commute. From The Somerset at Montgomery, Princeton University is approximately an 11-minute drive under typical conditions.
Of course, getting to Princeton and getting through Princeton are two different things. Downtown traffic, campus events, construction, and parking can all add time. That's especially true around Nassau Street and the university.
Still, for someone commuting a few days a week or heading into Princeton for dinner, shopping, classes, appointments, or events, the trip is short enough that Princeton can remain part of everyday life.
Live downtown and walk more. Live just outside Princeton and drive a little, but potentially gain more flexibility at home. For many renters, that's a very reasonable exchange.
A monthly rent number by itself doesn't tell you the whole story of your budget. What matters is what comes with it.
When comparing Princeton, NJ rent prices vs. nearby towns, look at the entire package:
A lower rent isn't necessarily a better deal if you're paying extra for parking, laundry, storage, or amenities elsewhere. And a higher rent can still make sense if a walkable Princeton lifestyle is the thing you value most.
If you live downtown, possibly. If you live in Montgomery Township, a car is much more useful. That's one of the clearest differences between the two lifestyles. Princeton gives you the ability to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, campus, and local businesses. Montgomery Township is more suburban, so residents generally drive for more of their daily trips.
The Somerset at Montgomery does sit near shopping and services along Route 206, so every errand doesn't require a trip into Princeton. But this isn't a location where most people are going to structure their entire life around walking and transit.
Living near Princeton gives you several ways to move around the area, but each serves a different purpose. Here are the most popular main arteries into and around the city.
NJ Transit Route 605 connects Montgomery Township with Princeton and Quaker Bridge Mall, with stops along Route 206 as well as destinations including Princeton Shopping Center and Princeton Railroad Station. That makes it a useful option for some local trips without driving the entire way.
Route 206 is the main north-south road through Montgomery Township and one of the most direct ways to reach Princeton from Skillman. For residents of The Somerset at Montgomery, it is the primary local corridor for getting to Princeton, nearby shopping, and other destinations around Central Jersey.
Route 1 sits farther east and functions as the area's major commercial and commuter corridor, connecting Princeton-area drivers with shopping centers, office parks, Princeton Junction, and routes toward New Brunswick, Trenton, and the New Jersey Turnpike.
Together, they give renters a useful mix of options: Route 605 for local transit, Route 206 for direct access to Princeton, and Route 1 for longer regional trips.
Princeton isn't surrounded by one interchangeable ring of suburbs. Each nearby community solves a different problem.
Montgomery Township and Skillman work particularly well for renters who want to be north of Princeton in a quieter, more residential setting.
Plainsboro has a larger apartment market and convenient access to the eastern side of the Princeton area.
Lawrence Township puts renters south of Princeton and offers another established rental market.
West Windsor and Princeton Junction stand out for commuters who place a high priority on rail access.
If you're just starting your search, our guide to finding the right apartment in New Jersey at the right price breaks down the biggest factors worth comparing.
At The Somerset at Montgomery, renters can choose from one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Current layouts range from an 823-square-foot one-bedroom to two-bedroom plans exceeding 1,300 square feet, along with a three-bedroom option.
Of course, square footage is only part of the story. The apartments are designed around features many renters specifically look for when leaving an older downtown rental: modern kitchens, in-unit laundry, private outdoor space, storage, on-site parking, and community fitness amenities.
A renter might decide that being able to walk out the door and onto Nassau Street is worth more than an extra room or a private balcony. Someone else might gladly trade a ten-minute drive for the ability to spread out. The choice is best made by understanding your personal priorities and preferences.
For more on the surrounding community, read why Montgomery Township works so well for apartment living.
Yes. And this is another area where expanding the search beyond downtown can be useful.
The Somerset at Montgomery is pet-friendly, with qualifying pets allowed under the community's current pet policy. Weight limits, breed restrictions, and fees apply, so renters should review the details before applying.
For dog owners in particular, Montgomery Township's more suburban environment may also be part of the appeal. You're not giving up Princeton access, but you're coming home to a setting with more open space and less of a downtown feel.
Living near Princeton isn't only useful if Princeton is your final destination. Princeton Junction station is approximately 8.2 miles from The Somerset at Montgomery, giving residents driving access to NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor.
Someone traveling into New York five days a week will probably evaluate the location very differently from someone who only needs to make that trip once or twice a week. The same is true for Philadelphia. Rail connections through Trenton provide another option for reaching the city without driving the entire distance.
The important distinction is that these are apartments near Princeton with commuter rail access, not apartments where you walk downstairs and board a train. For occasional and hybrid commuters, that can work well. For daily commuters, the full door-to-door trip deserves more scrutiny.
If Princeton is part of your everyday life but a Princeton address isn't essential, The Somerset at Montgomery offers another way to approach the search. Located in Skillman, the community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in Montgomery Township with convenient access to Princeton, local shopping, recreation, and major Central New Jersey roadways.
If this sounds interesting:
Princeton may be only minutes away, but the right apartment should feel like more than a compromise on location. At The Somerset at Montgomery, you can stay close to the places you already know and love while gaining the space, features, and setting that fit the way you want to live.
If you're ready to find the right place for your needs, contact our team to schedule a visit. We can't wait to welcome you home.
How far is Skillman from Princeton? Skillman is immediately north of the Princeton area within Montgomery Township. From The Somerset at Montgomery, Princeton University is roughly 5.7 miles away, or about an 11-minute drive under typical conditions.
Is it cheaper to live outside Princeton, NJ? It can be. Pricing varies by community and apartment, but looking outside Princeton gives renters more options to compare for space, amenities, parking, and monthly cost.
Can I still get to Princeton University and Nassau Street easily? Yes. From Montgomery Township and Skillman, Princeton is a short drive away. Downtown traffic and parking can affect the trip, but the area remains very accessible by car.
Do I need a car to live in Montgomery Township? For most renters, yes. Montgomery Township is more suburban and less transit-oriented than downtown Princeton.
What towns near Princeton should renters consider? Montgomery Township/Skillman, Plainsboro, Lawrence Township, West Windsor, and Princeton Junction all offer different combinations of proximity, rental options, transportation, and suburban amenities.
Are there pet-friendly apartments near Princeton? Yes. The Somerset at Montgomery is pet-friendly, subject to its current pet policy, breed restrictions, weight requirements, and fees.
Is there commuter rail access near Skillman? Yes. Princeton Junction is within driving distance and provides NJ Transit Northeast Corridor service toward New York and Trenton.
What apartment sizes are available at The Somerset at Montgomery? The community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, including layouts ranging from approximately 823 square feet to more than 1,300 square feet.