Affordable living meets prime location in Trenton—just a hop, skip, and a jump away from NYC, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and the Jersey Shore.
Thinking about moving to Trenton, New Jersey? Here’s why professionals with young families are choosing to live here while commuting to nearby big cities.
History
Trenton is New Jersey’s capital city and has a rich history dating back to before the U.S. was founded. The Battle of Trenton is widely considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War, giving Washington and his troops one final push to secure victory.
Trenton was chosen to be the capital of the Garden State due to its strategic location between New York City and Philadelphia, and its proximity to the Delaware River – ideal for trade and manufacturing.
In the early 20th century, Trenton boomed as a manufacturing hub. However, after World War II, the decline in manufacturing led to job losses, and people moved to the surrounding suburbs for better employment opportunities.
Food
- Royal Cakes and Cafe (240 E State Street, Trenton): A hidden gem in Trenton, serving some of the best soul food and cupcakes around. Their milkshakes (topped with cupcakes, whipped cream, and even cookies) are a must-try.
- Jo Jo’s Tavern (2677 Nottingham Way, Trenton): Famous locally for their cheddar cheese bar pies, Jo Jo’s Tavern is a pizza lover’s paradise. Even Barstool’s Dave tried their mustard and pork pizza—why not give it a shot?
- 1911 Smoke House Barbeque (11 W Front St, Trenton): This small, family-style barbecue joint in downtown Trenton is known for its creative cocktails like spiked cherry coke and a salted caramel chocolate martini.
Attractions
- Trenton Farmers Market (960 Spruce St, Lawrence Township): New Jersey’s oldest continuously running farmers market is the ultimate spot for fresh, straight-from-the-farm veggies. You’ll also find a mix of African market goods, vegan food shops, a crystal shop, handmade soaps, and unique jewelry.
- Old Barracks Museum (101 Barrack St, Trenton): Take a trip back in time to the iconic, restored barracks and revisit Colonial American history.
- Trenton Thunder Ballpark (1 Thunder Rd, Trenton): Family-friendly fun with such a great vibe—you might even forget there’s a game on! Skip the big league hassle and enjoy a game, hot dog, soda, and souvenir all for less than parking at the majors.
Nightlife
- Trenton Social (449 S Broad St, Trenton): A hip wine bar with all the usual trimmings: exposed brick, art nights, and a relaxing, jazzy atmosphere. Frequented by intellectuals, artists, and musicians alike.
- Candlelight Lounge (24 Passaic St, Trenton): This intimate jazz club brings back the old-school vibe with authentic jazz performances and appreciative audiences. Soul food dinner buffet is included with the cover charge.
Neighborhood Festivals
- Movies Under the Stars: To breathe new life into Trenton and draw in more visitors, the city is organizing summer events and welcoming new arts and cultural organizations, museums, and festivals. A highlight is free, outdoor films for kids and families.
- Take It To The Streets Neighborhood Block Party: This summer, Trenton is bringing fun straight to neighborhoods that need it most! Every Monday and Wednesday evening, residents enjoy street basketball, bowling, skating, biking, a Game Truck, moon bounces, crafts, face painting, food, and music activities.
People
Trenton, New Jersey, has a population of around 90,000 and a median household income of $44,444. The city’s demographic makeup shows 2.25 times more Black or African American residents than other ethnic groups. Hispanic and White communities follow as the next largest groups.
26.2% of the population live below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
The most common jobs in Trenton are:
- Office and Administrative Support
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Material Moving
Fun Facts
- Famous writers like Samuel French, John Brooks, Edward Breese, Nancy Wood, and Ntozake Shange call Trenton home. Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer was also born and raised in Trenton.
- The city’s love for classic breakfast food was so strong, it hosted the Pork Roll Festival annually until 2021.
- Trenton’s Rescue Mission holds a Guinness World Record for the largest clothing drive ever, collecting 179,550 items of clothing.
- Trenton even had a brief stint as the U.S. capital. After the Revolutionary War, it was the official capital for a couple of months in late 1784 while Congress debated its permanent location.
Schools
Trenton Public School District contains 20 schools and 15,017 students – of which, 30.5% are economically disadvantaged.
The Public School District contains one preschool, 14 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools. Within Trenton Public School District, 93.0% of teachers have three or more years of experience, and the student-to-teacher (15: 1) ratio is higher than the state average. However, challenges persist: only 12% of elementary students meet reading proficiency, and just 2% meet math proficiency level.
Best Neighborhoods
Best Neighborhood for Families
- Princeton Junction: A family-friendly suburb in the Trenton Metro Area, just a short drive from Trenton, NJ, known for its abundance of parks. Plenty of space for kids to play and explore.
Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals
- West End: West End is an up-and-coming neighborhood that has seen significant revitalization in recent years. With its trendy restaurants, art galleries, and proximity to the Trenton Transit Center, West End is on its way to becoming a hotspot for young professionals and creatives.
Moving to Trenton
If you’re looking for affordable housing in the Northeast with the option to pop into NYC anytime you like, Trenton New Jersey may be a great option for you.
Metropolis Moving knows the ropes of city-to-suburb moves… and vice versa. We’ve been helped 1000s of our clients make long-distance moves from NYC to New Jersey for over a decade. Trust us to handle the logistics so you can focus on what matters most: your new adventure.