Princeton/Lawrenceville - Princeton, NJ

The 20th century brought a steep decline in farming within New Jersey, but housing development boomed as employment became available and as commuting to nearby New York became more practical and affordable.

Today the area still serves as a commuters' base, affording the community a deep sense of history and a thriving arts scene. The Princeton University Art Museum remains one of the finest art museums in the country. With over 68,000 pieces ranging from modern to ancient, the museum remains committed to educating and serving the local community.

The Bainbridge House, one of few remaining 18th-century houses in Princeton, became the home of the Historical Society of Princeton in 1967. Almost all of the original 1766 Georgian building remains, and most of the home still carries the furnishings from another era. The house also became the home of the Historical Society of Princeton in 1967.

Olives stands as a consistent local favorite for those wanting quick Greek, Mediterranean, or Italian sandwiches, salads, or soups, with a fresh vegan and gluten-free menu available featuring grape leaves stuffed with rice and a falafel plate. The curry chicken salad and warm chocolate chip cookies have a cult following -- as does the baklava. Olives also caters and makes custom cakes.

The cozy and intimate Vidalia Restaurant in Lawrenceville houses an alluring and inventive dining experience. The chef's passion for Italian food and fresh ingredients makes this hideaway a perfect spot for a date or warm conversation. The meal starts with a crusty garlic bread followed by classic Italian entrées such as agenllo, a lamb lollipop dish with a red wine demi-glaze or capesante, pan-seared scallops infused with a black truffle oil. Try dining outside in the garden in the summer months for a truly romantic encounter.

For nightlife, scores of options are available for a night on the town. A landmark in Princeton's restaurant scene, Alchemist & Barrister, remains a favorite with residents, students, faculty and theatergoers. After the family dinner hours are over, the bar comes alive with a younger crowd, and local musicians play well into the night. A great beer list serves as anchor as you admire the local talent.

As a halfway point between the cities of New York and Philadelphia, Princeton's train station serves as a fast option to get to either city via public transportation. The New York line tends to run faster as there are no transfers involved; Philadelphia requires a transfer to SEPTA trains in Trenton.

NJ Transit provides bus service to Trenton while Coach USA Suburban Transit operates daily service to New York. The thoroughfares of U.S. Route 206 and New Jersey Route 27 pass directly through Princeton, and Interstate 95 and 295 are closely accessible. As for taxi service, Uber does pick up if you are returning to either New York or Philadelphia, but it will cost you. Cabs are available on an on-call basis, with a cab stand by the train station also making cabs accessible.

Parking in downtown Princeton comes with time restraints, from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Check the signs carefully when choosing a spot to park. Biking and walking endure as a viable option to getting around the neighborhood. The Office of Sustainability provides maps showing the location of bike lanes, making it easier for cyclists to navigate the roads.

With the great outdoors neighboring the historic buildings and charming neighborhoods, it's easy to get lost in the ambiance of the Princeton/Lawrenceville area. Fitness enthusiasts rejoice at the sight of the 74-mile path that runs along the Delaware and Raritan Canal from Milford to Trenton. Fishing, canoeing, tubing and a towpath to jog or cycle flourish amid an excess of beautiful natural scenery.

Washington Crossing State Park comes complete with 15 miles of trails, historic buildings, and grounds for camping and picnicking within its 2,000 acres of preserved natural land. Village Park in Lawrenceville rests on a quiet 60 acres, home to softball fields; tennis, volleyball and basketball courts; a playground and a dog park.

Summertime brings the Princeton Festival, an celebration of the performing arts highlighting opera and theater productions, jazz and chamber music, and a showcase of the nation's most talented children in a piano and violin competition.

JazzFeast hosts an open air jazz festival held every spring in the heart of downtown Princeton. Area restaurants serve up an array of foods and beverages, and there's no shortage of dancing and swinging in the crowds.

The cost of living in Princeton/Lawrenceville is 29 percent higher than the rest of the state. The higher costs result in a serene town, robust downtown district and prospering arts scene.

The average one-bedroom residence costs $1379 a month, well above the state's average rental rate. A one-way train ride into New York Penn Station costs $17, and the average price for a beer runs $8. Filling up your car's tank costs slightly less than the national average.

In the heart of the downtown area, you can find an abundance of shops, boutiques and coffee houses. Palmer Square serves as a shopping destination with its tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and a mecca of shops such as Ann Taylor and Brooks Brothers.

The Farmhouse Store carries a collection of artisan gifts, pottery, wood, decor and jewelry. Very reasonable prices and excellent customer service have earned this shop a spot on New Jersey Monthly's "Best in New Jersey" for home furnishings and one-of-a-kind finds that are worth checking out.

Zoe, Princeton's landmark style house is so fashion-forward, you would think you were in New York's West Village, thanks to choices from Stella McCartney, Rag and Bone, and Alexander McQueen. The store's industrial, black-and-white layout exudes an urban vibe, perfect for its hip clientele.

Grocery stores are not hard to find, with a Shoprite, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's serving the community. McCaffrey's Food market stands a cut above the standard shopping experience, combining unique foods, old-school service and an inviting atmosphere. An extensive produce department features locally sourced vegetables and fruits and a full-service bakery serves up delectable cakes, cookies and pies.

Princeton hosts a farmers market year round, with vendors selling freshly made products without artificial flavors or preservatives alongside an array of jams, spices, free-range meats, flowers and a juice bar. The cold weather doesn't stop the crowd that frequents the market, which the Princeton Public Library hosts in the winter months in its community room.