Moving to a new city comes with an all-new experience. But having some information about the city may prepare you for what you meet. If you’re moving to Trenton, you should know certain things about the place. So, what’re the pros and cons of living in Trenton?
As the capital of New Jersey, Trenton has a rich history. Living here has several benefits such as distinct seasons, cultural scene, educational opportunities, affordability, transport system, and family friendliness. But it has issues. They include crimes, poor public schools, and a poor economy.
Regardless of its cons, Trenton is a fantastic place. Unlike many other capital cities, its population is relatively small, making it a close-knit community compared to most urban centers. This article discusses the pros and cons of living in Trenton.
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Pros of living in Trenton
It’s always good to start on a positive note. For Trenton, several attributes make it livable. They include.
3. Four Season Weather
There’s nothing special about the weather in Trenton, but you’ll get to enjoy all four seasons. Summer, Spring, Winter, and Fall all happen here. If you’re someone who wants to enjoy all the traditional four annual seasons, Trenton is ideal for you. The winters are quite cold and come with snowstorms. Spring and Fall have mild temperatures, and summer is usually hot and humid.
However, the weather has a Comfort Index rating of 7.2, slightly higher than the national average of 7. So, if you don’t enjoy the constant sunshine of places like California and Florida, Trenton is good for you.
4. Vibrant Cultural Scene
Trenton is currently the capital of New Jersey, but before that, it was the capital of the United States for a brief period in 1784. Today, there are several historic districts and monuments in the city. There are places you can check out here, such as William Trent House, Old Barracks Museum, Trenton Battle Monument, World War II memorial, and lots more. There are several attractions in this city that reflect its rich history.
5. Higher Education Opportunities
If you want to further your education, one of the best places to do it is in Trenton. One of the most prestigious universities in the world, Princeton University, is here. In addition, Princeton is an Ivy League university considered to have the most beautiful campus of all Ivy League institutions.
Other great institutions such as Rider University, College of New Jersey, Mercer County Community College, Thomas Edison State University, and James Kerney Campus are also here.
6. Family-Friendly Activities
There’s no shortage of family-friendly activities in this city. Plenty of experiences abound, and you’re unlikely to have a boring time here. Watch Trenton Thunder at Arm and Hammer Park; visit the Sesame Place or Six Flags Great Adventure for a day of fun activities doing everything from rollercoasters to Safari. Other attractions include the Shady Brook Farm, Rockville Climbing Center, New Jersey State Museum, and Planetarium.
7. Cheap City
Unlike most capital cities, Trenton is a cheap place to live. The cost of living is 19.8% below the national average. This means it’s even far below the New Jersey average. As a result, it’s one of the cheapest cities you can live in New Jersey and even much lower when you consider nearby cities such as Philadelphia and New York City.
Furthermore, the average price of a home here is $231,436, below the national average. So, without any doubt, this city is a very affordable place to live.
8. Effective Transport System
Getting around a major city is generally problematic, but that’s not so for Trenton. While it doesn’t have a lot of mass transit options, the ones available are efficient. More than 10% of its residents use mass transit to get to work.
Visit the Trenton Transit Center to get on the next available train. Cities such as New York and Philadelphia are accessible by train within an hour. For getting around the city, there are New Jersey Transit buses to carry you anywhere.
You can also choose to walk or ride a bike to where you’re going. Trenton has a walk score of 70 and a bike score of 58. Thus, you can easily get around even without a car.
Cons of Living in Trenton
This city isn’t a perfect place. Even though it has many advantages, there are also significant disadvantages which include:
1. Safety Concerns
Trenton’s crime rate is slightly worse than the national average. The total crime rate is 29% above the national average, but property crimes are 1% lower. Much more significant is the rate of violent crimes. Violent crimes are quite prevalent in the city at 196% higher than the national average. The implication of this is that you’re very likely to be the victim of a violent crime.
The chance of being a crime victim here is 1 in 32. Still, Trenton isn’t Afghanistan. It’s safer than 6% of cities in the US, and the crime rate is decreasing. If you choose to live here, you should be selective about neighborhoods. There are areas in the city that are very safe, and there are bad neighborhoods too.
2. Weak Economy
Despite being the capital of New Jersey, Trenton’s economy isn’t great. Most of those who live in the city work outside in neighboring cities. The median household income in Trenton is $35,402, which is only slightly higher than half of the national average. Due to the low income and limited job opportunities, Trento might not be the best place to move to unless you have a job waiting for you.
However, its proximity to NYC, Philadelphia, and major cities in New Jersey makes it possible to work in other cities. The low cost of living also makes it bearable.
Low Public Schools Standards
The standards of public schools here are also below the national average. This means there are not so many great public schools here. According to AreaVibes, the average test score here is 65% below the national average. Thus, you may need to do your research and find the best schools near you when moving.
In Conclusion
Trenton is an amazing city with several great qualities that make it outstanding. But the bad attributes are also worth noting as they could affect how well you enjoy living in the city.
