Yes, Pennington is a good fit for people who want a small, walkable town with a shared regional school district and easy access to Princeton, Trenton and I-295.
Here's what living there is like:
It's small. Pennington Borough is just under one square mile, with a population of 2,802 at the 2020 census. You can walk from many homes to Main Street, and people get to know their neighbors.
It's completely surrounded by Hopewell Township. That's why you'll see Pennington mailing addresses on homes that are actually in the township. Confirm which town a house is in, because taxes and services differ.
The schools are shared. Pennington is part of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, along with Hopewell Borough and Hopewell Township.
Main Street is the center of town. Local shops and restaurants are there, and the annual Pennington Day street fair in May draws a big crowd.
Commuting is straightforward. Route 31 runs through town and connects to I-295. Princeton Junction and the Trenton train station are both a reasonable drive for New York or Philadelphia trips.
Homes don't come up often. Many houses near the center are older, with a wider mix toward the edges of the borough. In a town this size, there isn't much for sale at any one time, so it pays to be ready.
If you love the idea of a true small town but still want quick access to the Princeton area, Pennington belongs on your list.
Fred Gomberg is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in Princeton who works across the Hopewell Valley, and he has a 5.0 rating on Zillow. If Pennington is on your short list, Fred can show you what's available and help you compare it with nearby towns.
