Home Page - Living In Raleigh Now

What Is It Like Living in Princeton Manor in Knightdale, NC?

If you’re considering living in Princeton Manor in Knightdale, NC, you’re looking at one of Knightdale’s more established larger-home communities. Princeton Manor sits east of Raleigh and offers something buyers don’t always find in newer subdivisions: substantial single-family homes, usable yards, mature streetscapes, and neighborhood amenities, while still giving you access back toward Raleigh, I-540, and I-87.

Homes in Princeton Manor were built primarily from the mid-2000s into the mid-2010s, with many falling in roughly the 2,200 to 4,500-square-foot range. Lot sizes vary quite a bit. Some are closer to a traditional suburban lot around 0.2 acres, while others offer considerably more land.

That range is part of what makes Princeton Manor interesting.

You aren't looking at a neighborhood where every home feels exactly the same.

I’m Brandy Nemergut, Realtor ~ eXp Realty Raleigh, NC, and I help buyers understand Knightdale and the greater Raleigh area so they can compare neighborhoods based on how they actually want to live.

Here’s what I’d want you to know before buying in Princeton Manor.

Where Is Princeton Manor?

Princeton Manor is in Knightdale, North Carolina, in the 27545 ZIP code, just east of Raleigh.

The community is positioned for access to the major roads that connect Knightdale with Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle. Neighborhood resources specifically note convenient access to the US 64/264 corridor and I-540, while archived builder information describes the community as a short drive from downtown Raleigh.

That location can make Princeton Manor particularly interesting if you want more house and yard than you may find in some Raleigh neighborhoods but don't want to feel disconnected from Raleigh.

Still, I wouldn't base your decision on somebody else's commute estimate.

If you're seriously considering a home here, drive from that exact address to your workplace during the time you'd normally leave.

Traffic at 8 a.m. can tell you a lot more than a map at 2 p.m.

What Are the Homes Like in Princeton Manor?

One of the biggest differences you'll notice in Princeton Manor is home size.

This isn't primarily a neighborhood of compact starter homes.

Homes commonly reach well into the 2,000- and 3,000-square-foot range, and original community information shows plans extending beyond 4,400 square feet. Architectural features used throughout the development included Craftsman-influenced designs, fiber-cement siding, and brick and stone accents.

Depending on the property, you may find:

• Three to six bedrooms

• Bonus rooms or flexible living spaces

• Two-car garages

• Larger kitchens and gathering areas

• Formal dining or office spaces

• Front porches

• Patios or decks

• Wooded or more private backyards

• Larger lots than some newer high-density communities

That last point can matter a lot.

If you've been touring newer neighborhoods where the homes feel close together, Princeton Manor can feel different simply because some properties have more room around them.

Current neighborhood sources generally describe typical lots as roughly 0.2 to 0.5 acres, although individual properties can vary and larger parcels do exist.

So when you're comparing homes here, don't just compare square footage.

Look at the lot.

A 3,000-square-foot home on a compact lot can feel completely different from a similarly sized home with a deep backyard or more separation from neighboring houses.

Princeton Manor Is an Established Neighborhood

For some buyers, this is one of its biggest advantages.

Princeton Manor dates back to roughly the mid-2000s and developed over a number of years.

That means you're generally shopping resale homes rather than trying to picture a neighborhood that is still mostly dirt, construction equipment, and future phases.

You can drive through and actually see:

the mature trees,

the landscaping,

the homes around you,

the condition of the streets,

and how different parts of the neighborhood feel.

That's valuable.

At the same time, buying an established resale home means you want to look closely at maintenance and updates.

Two Princeton Manor homes built around the same time can now be very different.

One owner may have replaced the roof, HVAC, water heater, flooring, appliances, and countertops.

Another home may still have several original systems.

So a lower purchase price doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the better deal.

I always want buyers to look at the whole picture.

What Amenities Does Princeton Manor Have?

Princeton Manor has neighborhood amenities that include a community swimming pool, cabana or clubhouse area, playground/tot lot, and walking or biking trails. Multiple community sources consistently identify those amenities.

That can be a nice middle ground for buyers.

You get your own home and yard, but you also have neighborhood spaces where you can get outside without driving somewhere every time.

The community also has an HOA, with Professional Property Management currently listing Princeton Manor among the communities it manages.

Before you buy, I recommend reviewing the current HOA documents rather than relying on information from an old real estate listing.

Look at:

• Current dues

• What the dues cover

• Pool rules and operating dates

• Architectural guidelines

• Rental restrictions, if any

• Parking rules

• Fencing requirements

• Any pending assessments or major projects

If you're buying because you like the appearance and amenities of the neighborhood, understanding how those things are managed matters.

What Is the Outdoor Lifestyle Like?

Princeton Manor has its own walking areas, but you're also in a part of Knightdale with access to a much larger park and greenway network.

One nearby option is Mingo Creek Park & Greenway, which the Town of Knightdale describes as an 8.2-acre park connected to 4.75 miles of trail through wetlands and hardwood forests. The trail includes both paved asphalt and wooded boardwalk sections.

The broader greenway network connects toward the Neuse River Greenway and other recreational areas on the Raleigh side.

Knightdale also maintains several other parks, including Knightdale Station Park, Knightdale Community Park, Environmental Park, Harper Park, and Panther Rock Park.

So if you're someone who likes walking, running, cycling, parks, or getting outdoors, I wouldn't evaluate Princeton Manor only by what's inside the neighborhood entrance.

Explore what's around it too.

That larger recreational network can become part of your everyday life.

What Is Everyday Life in Princeton Manor Like?

I would describe Princeton Manor as traditional suburban living with larger-home options.

You have neighborhood streets, detached homes, private yards, sidewalks or trails in parts of the community, a pool, playground, and access to Knightdale's shopping and services.

For most errands, you're still going to use a car.

This isn't an urban neighborhood where you walk downstairs and have six restaurants and a grocery store on the same block.

But that's probably not why you're considering Princeton Manor in the first place.

Most buyers who like this type of community are looking for some combination of:

more indoor space,

a garage,

a backyard,

a neighborhood setting,

and reasonable access back into Raleigh.

If those things are high on your list, Princeton Manor starts to make more sense.

How Big Is Princeton Manor?

Princeton Manor isn't a tiny pocket subdivision.

Local neighborhood resources describe it as a community of roughly 440 homes.

That's worth knowing because larger communities can have more variation from one street to another.

The house near the pool may offer a completely different experience from one farther into the neighborhood.

One lot may back to trees.

Another may sit on a corner.

Another may have more traffic because of where it sits within the community.

That's why I always encourage buyers to explore more than just the home that's currently for sale.

Drive the surrounding streets.

Come back in the evening.

See how it feels.

What Do Homes Cost in Princeton Manor?

This is one area where an article can become outdated quickly, so I wouldn't give you one permanent price and pretend that's "the Princeton Manor price."

As of August 2026, Realtor.com showed seven homes for sale in Princeton Manor, including a 2,800-square-foot four-bedroom home listed at $549,900. Raleigh Realty's current neighborhood data showed a median asking price in the low-$500,000s. Those are current snapshots, not guarantees of what a particular home is worth.

Prices within Princeton Manor can vary because the homes themselves vary.

A property's value can be affected by:

• Square footage

• Lot size

• Age and condition

• Renovations

• Bedroom and bathroom count

• Garage configuration

• Outdoor living improvements

• Location within the neighborhood

• Current competition

• Overall Knightdale market conditions

If you're ready to buy here, recent closed sales are far more useful than an old neighborhood price range.

A Buyer Scenario: You Need More Space but Want to Stay Close to Raleigh

Imagine you're living in Raleigh now.

Your current home works, but you're running out of room.

You want a dedicated office. Maybe you need another bedroom. You'd like a bigger kitchen and a yard where you aren't staring directly into your neighbor's living room.

But you don't want to move so far out that every trip into Raleigh becomes an event.

That's the type of situation where I would put Princeton Manor on your comparison list.

We wouldn't just look at whether a house has 3,200 square feet.

We'd look at whether the floor plan gives you the right 3,200 square feet.

Is the office where you need it?

Is there usable backyard space?

How much of that big lot is actually functional?

How old are the major systems?

And what does your commute feel like from that particular street?

A bigger house is only better if it actually makes your life easier.

Another Scenario: You're Comparing Princeton Manor With New Construction

This comes up a lot around Knightdale.

You may be able to buy a brand-new home in one community or an established resale home in Princeton Manor.

New construction has obvious appeal.

Everything is new. The finishes are current. You may have builder warranties. Sometimes you can choose options.

But Princeton Manor can offer something different.

You may get a more established streetscape, mature landscaping, a larger floor plan, or a lot that's harder to find in some newer communities.

The tradeoff is maintenance.

A home built in 2007 isn't new anymore.

That's not automatically a problem. It just means we need to know whether the previous owner took care of the important things.

This is where inspections, disclosures, maintenance records, and good due diligence matter.

What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing in Princeton Manor?

The first thing is the age of major systems.

If you're buying a home built in the mid-2000s, ask about the roof, HVAC systems, water heater, windows, appliances, and any major renovations.

Second, look at the lot itself.

A listing may say "large lot," but I want to know whether it's flat, sloped, wooded, fenced, private, or usable for what you actually want to do.

Third, review the HOA documents.

Don't wait until the last minute.

Fourth, verify the exact school assignment if schools matter to your decision. School boundaries can change, and current listings themselves caution buyers to verify enrollment directly with the district.

And finally, test your commute.

That's one of the simplest pieces of due diligence and one of the most useful.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make in Princeton Manor

One mistake is assuming bigger automatically means better.

A 4,000-square-foot house can be fantastic.

It can also mean more rooms to furnish, more space to heat and cool, more roof, and more home to maintain.

Make sure you actually want the size you're buying.

Another mistake is ignoring age because the home looks updated.

New paint and countertops are great.

They don't tell you the age of the HVAC.

Another is comparing only asking prices.

A smaller updated home on a better lot may be a stronger value for you than a larger property that needs significant work.

And don't make the mistake of seeing the pool, playground, and neighborhood entrance and assuming you understand the whole community.

Drive through all of it.

So, Is Princeton Manor a Good Place to Live?

For buyers looking for larger single-family homes, more established lots, neighborhood amenities, and access back toward Raleigh, Princeton Manor can be a very compelling Knightdale option.

The community gives you a different choice from some of the area's newer, denser developments.

You have homes that can reach well beyond 3,000 square feet, neighborhood recreation including a pool and playground, and access to Knightdale's expanding park and greenway system.

But the individual home matters just as much as the neighborhood.

Look at the age.

Look at the updates.

Look at the lot.

Review the HOA.

Test the commute.

Then compare Princeton Manor against the other Knightdale neighborhoods that fit your budget.

That's how you figure out whether you're simply looking at a nice house or you've actually found the right place to live.

FAQ About Living in Princeton Manor, Knightdale, NC

Where is Princeton Manor?

Princeton Manor is in Knightdale, NC, east of Raleigh in the 27545 area. The community has convenient access toward I-540 and the US 64/I-87 corridor, making Raleigh relatively accessible depending on traffic and your destination.

How large are the homes in Princeton Manor?

Homes vary substantially. Original community information describes homes from roughly 2,000 square feet to more than 4,400 square feet, while individual resale properties may fall above or below that range.

Does Princeton Manor have a pool?

Yes. Community amenities include a neighborhood swimming pool, along with a cabana or gathering area, playground and walking or biking trails.

Does Princeton Manor have an HOA?

Yes. Professional Property Management currently lists Princeton Manor among the communities it manages. Buyers should review the latest HOA dues, rules, covenants and financial information before purchasing.

Is Princeton Manor new construction?

No. Princeton Manor is an established community dating back to the mid-2000s, so homes currently offered are primarily resales rather than a new builder phase.

Are there parks and greenways near Princeton Manor?

Yes. Knightdale has multiple public parks and greenways, including Mingo Creek Park & Greenway, which connects into a larger trail network toward Raleigh's Neuse River Greenway.

What should I inspect carefully when buying in Princeton Manor?

Pay particular attention to the age and condition of the roof, HVAC equipment, water heater and other major systems. Also review the lot, HOA documents, property disclosures and current comparable sales before deciding what a home is worth.

Thinking About Buying in Princeton Manor?

If Princeton Manor in Knightdale, NC is on your list, I can help you compare the homes currently available, recent sales, lot sizes, HOA details, and other Knightdale neighborhoods so you can see which one actually fits your priorities.

Brandy Nemergut, Realtor ~ eXp Realty Raleigh, NC
Helping buyers understand Knightdale and the greater Raleigh area
919-583-6895
[email protected]
LivingInRaleighNow.com