When? Everyone I know who lived here in the 80s and 90s is always talking about how much worse it was then. I’ve lived here since 2009 and honestly it’s not bad compared to most major cities. Most of the shootings here are targeted at individuals involved in drugs or gangs etc. If you stay out of trouble your chances of being shot are pretty low.

Shawarma at Banhan's.

Theater Cafe!

What “sweet money”? They give you like a $75 gift card for groceries if you’re lucky. Criminals aren’t turning in their guns at buybacks, those a more for turning in your dead relatives’ guns that aren’t used anymore or maybe if you find a lost gun on the street somewhere.

So good. Ive now eaten the florentine breakfast sandwich on a bagel 2 days in a row

That was my immediate first thought. Livias dish is great too

Excellent food but the slowest service I’ve ever encountered when dining there. Spent over 2 hours in there and the place was mostly empty

LOL. Not a single kid is going to go online.

Moving to "central business district" area you'll have to pay extra for parking. And I guess cars occasionally get broken in to. That's my suggestion.

With that budget, I'd move to apartments off Shrewsbury Street.

No. Nope. No. NEVER again.

Right now if my kid is off for snow and I have to work I can send him to the Y or JCC. I can’t do that if he has to be online, which means taking the day off.

NEVER again.

Life garden cafe! Delicious coffee drinks and great food

NU Kitchen!!!

Boooooo let the poor kids (and teachers) have a break!

Tbf there are certainly benefits to the big complexes - steady availability, low deposits, usually in good condition, pet friendly - so I wouldn't necessarily call it settling. But if you've got the time, maybe reach out to a realtor who can find what you're looking for at a better price.

try either Pickle Barrel (cheap but good) or across the street Bahnans (so good!)

I’ve lived at Princeton apartments for 3 years and enjoyed it! Rent increases ~80 bucks every year though. Lots of amenities and dog friendly

Awesome that's helpful. Part of us wants to have a place locked in asap but I think waiting is the move

I really like Vintage Grill. Vintage Grill and Bar

Good place.

Understood -- we were in the same situation a few years ago. After seeing the mostly dismal complexes, speaking with managers about when to expect availability during our time, and seeing how regularly home apartments became available, we delayed our search and began looking in March/April for places starting in July/August.

That's fair. Our plan as of now is to save for the next couple of years then try to buy a house. Don't think we'd want to move up that timeline, but maybe settling for complexes isn't the move

What, no triple decker experience for you? Lol

Yes that's certainly going to be the preference. I think we're just a little bit nervous about whether houses to rent will still be available come summertime (all these places have move in dates within the next few months), so we've just been entertaining the idea of living in a complex.

The only complex in the city that I've heard has a lot of red flags is Junction Shop Lofts. Places like 145 Front St and the Kelley Sq Lofts are all supposed to be perfectly fine, just really fucking expensive.

Honestly if you're willing to pay that much, seriously consider buying a house or at least a condo.