Safe area... Under 2k/mo.... I would recommend the Robbinsville or Cranbury warehouse if possible. First is that there's not a lot of heavy traffic so your commute will be a breeze compared to Edison, for example. Second is that it's not a very dense area of NJ so it's pretty safe, low(er) cost of living. You can get LOTS for your dollar at $2k/mo. The downside is that the area can get quite rural real fast (surprising for folks visiting Jersey with preconceived notions). I've passed by that Amazon warehouse and it's nestled between sod and corn farms. If you like to go out to bars or meet up with friends, you're not going to like that aspect of living in the Robbinsville/Cranbury area. The other downside is that if you plan on frequently visiting NYC, you'll be bout 1.5h out from NYC by train or car (barring traffic). On the other hand, you'll be close to lots of outdoor activities and hiking trails. Assunpink Lake has fishing, boating, an outdoor shooting range, an archery range, horse trails, and so on. Check out Allentown, East Windsor, South Brunswick, Roosevelt, Millstone, Upper Freehold, Cranbury. Answer from c-digs on reddit.com