Understand that Rt 1 is a very busy rd and can be choked with traffic even off rush hour. Rt 206 north of Princeton is usually busy but often it’s only around rush hours gets slowed down b/c if traffic. Princeton is a cool place to live (I lived in West Windsor right by N.E. Corridor train lines) but that area is pricey. There are neighborhoods in Princeton that are more Hispanic that cater to people working for the wealthy in Princeton and these >may< be less expensive. This area is predominantly to the west of Witherspoon rd going north out of town. If you don’t need to live in town, check out areas north of town up to Hillsboro or go West towards Hopewell or Pennington. Good luck finding your new digs!

Edit to add: you should go have Bent Spoon Ice cream at least once when you’re there.