Commute to Midtown... Where to Live?

I recently accepted an offer for a full-time job after completing an internship this past summer.The job is in midtown. I wont be starting until next august or so but I wanted to get a good idea about where I should be looking in terms of housing.

Details:

  • My salary is pretty bad at about 55-60K (no bonus)
  • I don't think I can stand having any roommates
  • I prefer not to live further than a 30-40min commute door to door
  • Lastly, I am not really a "city" person but I could deal with it if the neighborhood was relaxed

Any suggestions would definitely help.

Where to Live When Working in Midtown?

While the NYC real estate market can change quickly, much of the general advice for where to live with a midtown job remain the same:

  • Look for something close to the 4, 5, 6, 7 or the long-awaited Second Avenue extension of the Q train
  • Get a roommate for more options (it’s not that bad, especially if you work long hours)

However, OP’s preference for no roommate and a more relaxed neighborhood further limits his choices. Some places to check out include:

  • UES, meaning Yorkville
  • Forest Hills, Queens
  • Sunnyside, Queens
  • Roosevelt Island
  • Jersey City, NJ (but commuting can be a pain)
  • Hoboken, NJ (ditto on commuting to midtown, and it’s getting more expensive)

One WSO member created a map of places that are a 45-minute commute to Penn Station, which may or may not be helpful depending on where in midtown you work.

Recommended Reading

 

First I have to ask, why did you get a job in midtown if you can't deal with roommates AND are not a "city person".

Regardless, your options are limited but I would consider looking at Harlem and other areas way up around the 150s. If you would do a roommate or two your possibilities are endless because midtown banks are pretty easy to get to from anywhere. All your 'requirements' are kind of absurd though.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright:

First I have to ask, why did you get a job in midtown if you can't deal with roommates AND are not a "city person".

Regardless, your options are limited but I would consider looking at Harlem and other areas way up around the 150s. If you would do a roommate or two your possibilities are endless because midtown banks are pretty easy to get to from anywhere. All your 'requirements' are kind of absurd though.

Probably not cheap around Columbia, but the neighborhood below it on Broadway has a good choice of restaurants.scene. If u need cheaper, Inwood is way way up there, but there are parks for those recreation weekends.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

Agree with yeahright. Currently work in midtown and UES is probably your best bet (in terms of travel time and cost). And when I say UES, I mean Yorkville. Not sure what your price range is, but recently saw place on 96th (about 20 min from GC) for about $1200/month. It was very small and there was a roommate.

Best bet for quick commute to midtown would be something close to 4,5,6 or 7 (not too familiar with latter.)

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 
Best Response

I would look in Forest Hills, Queens. It is about 30 minutes on the F train to the Bryant Park subway station (and it's only 6 total stops, I believe). That subway stop is no more than a 5-10 minute walk to most places in Midtown. If you are working further north, closer to the Park then you can get off at either Rock Center or 57th Street (which are the two stations prior). Forest Hills is much more affordable and has seen quite a bit of urban renewal over the last decade or so.

Another two places to look would be Sunnyside, Queens or Roosevelt Island. Roo Island is very close and much more affordable than the UES. You can probably get a studio there for under $2000. The issue with all of these places is that they are in NYC and therefore you have to pay NYC taxes.

New Jersey is less accessable, but you can get a bus to Midtown from Hoboken that takes about 30 minutes. However, Hoboken is relatively pricey.

 
FormerHornetDriver:

I would look in Forest Hills, Queens. It is about 30 minutes on the F train to the Bryant Park subway station (and it's only 6 total stops, I believe). That subway stop is no more than a 5-10 minute walk to most places in Midtown. If you are working further north, closer to the Park then you can get off at either Rock Center or 57th Street (which are the two stations prior). Forest Hills is much more affordable and has seen quite a bit of urban renewal over the last decade or so.

Another two places to look would be Sunnyside, Queens or Roosevelt Island. Roo Island is very close and much more affordable than the UES. You can probably get a studio there for under $2000. The issue with all of these places is that they are in NYC and therefore you have to pay NYC taxes.

New Jersey is less accessable, but you can get a bus to Midtown from Hoboken that takes about 30 minutes. However, Hoboken is relatively pricey.

I've lived in Forest Hills. The restaurant scene has gotten better with some decent pubs around. There is also the LIRR train, which will take you direct to MSG in 15 minutes for those games & concerts.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

I was thinking Jersey would be my best option. I have heard decent things about Hoboken and even West NY. I really just want a reasonable commute and a relaxing place to come home to. As far as not wanting roommates, I dont think that it is a crazy requirement and I am not a city person but that just means I function better without the clutter and rush of the city life. I thought somewhere in Jersey might give me a good middle ground between housing and commute.

 

The office is right near times square. I heard Williamsburg is a pretty chill place to live; any idea about what 1200-1500 a month could get me? Also, I hear that Exchange place is an ideal commute to midtown via PATH but I hear mixed things on the price of an apt.

 
IlliniProgrammer:

JC is definitely doable on $55K/year. No city tax saves you $2K.

You *are* held hostage to the PATH system, which doesn't run that frequently after ~8PM.

Seriously, 8pm sounds crazy early, especially considering most people that use PATH are working past that time. Bummer, how else would someone get home?

 
Higheck123:
IlliniProgrammer:

JC is definitely doable on $55K/year. No city tax saves you $2K.

You *are* held hostage to the PATH system, which doesn't run that frequently after ~8PM.

Seriously, 8pm sounds crazy early, especially considering most people that use PATH are working past that time. Bummer, how else would someone get home?

1.) Wait up to 15 minutes for train until 11PM, 20 minutes after 11PM. (This doesn't sound that bad unless you have had three beers and two club sodas before arriving at the sans-restroom station- then it's FOREVER.) 2.) Cab it for $55 all-in. 3.) Swim? (Only doable if you are drunk.)
 

Williamsburg is a great option. You'll be able to find a place in your price range even without roommates and can get anywhere in Midtown in ~30 min. Very young, much quieter than living in Manhattan.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
NorthSider:

Williamsburg is a great option. You'll be able to find a place in your price range even without roommates and can get anywhere in Midtown in ~30 min. Very young, much quieter than living in Manhattan.

Cool neighborhood, but that neighborhood ain't cheap anymore. It's been "discovered" by Manhattanites.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 
Red Barchetta:
NorthSider:

Williamsburg is a great option. You'll be able to find a place in your price range even without roommates and can get anywhere in Midtown in ~30 min. Very young, much quieter than living in Manhattan.

Cool neighborhood, but that neighborhood ain't cheap anymore. It's been "discovered" by Manhattanites.

Still get much more for your money in Billyburg than you do in Manhattan. It's only a bit more expensive than Hoboken.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Jersey City or Hoboken (though Hoboken may be a little pricey alone). The PATH easily drops you off at 33rd and 6th, the bus at Port Authority and the ferry is available as well, lots of options

IlliniProgrammer:
Higheck123:
IlliniProgrammer:

JC is definitely doable on $55K/year. No city tax saves you $2K.

You *are* held hostage to the PATH system, which doesn't run that frequently after ~8PM.

Seriously, 8pm sounds crazy early, especially considering most people that use PATH are working past that time. Bummer, how else would someone get home?

1.) Wait up to 15 minutes for train until 11PM, 20 minutes after 11PM. (This doesn't sound that bad unless you have had three beers and two club sodas before arriving at the sans-restroom station- then it's FOREVER.)
2.) Cab it for $55 all-in.
3.) Swim? (Only doable if you are drunk.)

Agreed, the wait isn't bad at all. Why not look at the schedule and plan when you leave accordingly?

 

But seriously, talk to anyone who lives in JC or Hoboken and they'll say the commute is great during rush hour but sucks late at night and on the weekends. I think it has something to do with the fact that cab rides to JC/Hoboken are really expensive while a 40 block cab ride in Manhattan is ~$10.

@UFOinsider Taking the ferry is a lot of fun, but:

1.) It's ~ $8 each way, which is an extra $12/day or ~ $200/month. That's ~6% of OP's take-home. 2.) For most places (maybe 14th st) it runs every half hour, which is great if you can keep a strict schedule, but sucks if you miss the 8:30 ferry.

 

It sounds like, if you add in commute cost from hoboken/jersey city, I may be better off getting a place in williamsburg with a similar commute time and apartment space or possibly a shoebox-type apt in the UES with an even better commute time. Does this sound about right?

 

I believe the northern part of Williamsburg close to the Bedford Ave station is the nicest area. It will get more cheaper & a bit grittier as you go south or east.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 
Red Barchetta:

I believe the northern part of Williamsburg close to the Bedford Ave station is the nicest area. It will get more cheaper & a bit grittier as you go south or east.

That's correct. Bedford is the expensive / waterfront area. Lorimer stop is a good bit cheaper and still a vibrant area.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

There are a bunch of $700/800 rooms in upper Hoboken, basically legacy rent controls that the lease holders charge at just above cost. I have no idea why they do this, but there are actually a bunch of folks that do this....mostly older people who keep control of the apartment and I guess just want to be nice to someone who's just starting out. With this configuration, all in rent/commmute is right around $1,000. Pretty good deal if you don't mind roommates. Plus about half of them prefer month to month rent, so you aren't even locked in. You just have to dig a bit, they don't use agents.

Get busy living
 
UFOinsider:

There are a bunch of $700/800 rooms in upper Hoboken, basically legacy rent controls that the lease holders charge at just above cost. I have no idea why they do this, but there are actually a bunch of folks that do this....mostly older people who keep control of the apartment and I guess just want to be nice to someone who's just starting out. With this configuration, all in rent/commmute is right around $1,000. Pretty good deal if you don't mind roommates. Plus about half of them prefer month to month rent, so you aren't even locked in. You just have to dig a bit, they don't use agents.

Where have you found these? I have never seen a place that cheap in hoboken.

 

I took a good look at New Jersey when I was hunting around for places to live and just decided that the price of an apartment was too much to justify the length and cost of the commute. If you are not working IBD analyst hours, then maybe living a bit further out would make sense. If not, my inclination would be to lean towards Queens. A lot has happened there over the last twenty years where many areas are not only liveable but quite nice for a single person. Especially one who is looking to not have a roommate.....

Take a look at Long Island City. There are a bunch of new developments there that are very well equipped and it is an amazingly easy commute to midtown. Several good bars and good shopping, as well.....

 

Craigslist, trulia, word of mouth. Just like the better jobs, you have to know someone. Guy I know hit it off with the owner of a place and rents an entire 1 floor, 1 bedroom apt two blocks from Hoboken PATH......for under $1,200. If you're new to the area or don't want to dig around for a bargain, then you'll pay the standard rates. Thing is, there's always someone doing something for well below market for a variety of reasons, you just have to be patient and look for it.

Get busy living
 
UFOinsider:

Craigslist, trulia, word of mouth. Just like the better jobs, you have to know someone. Guy I know hit it off with the owner of a place and rents an entire 1 floor, 1 bedroom apt two blocks from Hoboken PATH......for under $1,200. If you're new to the area or don't want to dig around for a bargain, then you'll pay the standard rates. Thing is, there's always someone doing something for well below market for a variety of reasons, you just have to be patient and look for it.

Makes sense. Basically what I did when I lived in JC a few years back. Had a massive 3 bed 2 bath place with a big balcony 5 minutes from the Newport PATH for $2100 total.

 

I think adjusting to live with a roommate somewhere on the island like midtown/the village/lower manhattan would be easier and relatively more convenient than living in NJ and figuring out whether swimming or taking the ferry should be your contingency plan.

Youve got a whole year to find a place and a roommate if need be. Take it from the owner directly and skip the brokers crap.

Trust me. When youre working long hours with unpredictable schedules, the last thing you want is the stress of how to get home. Whatever you're going to save from living a swim away you're going to pay plus interest. It's either in cash or in stress. It's going to be paid.

Sorry i dont have something tangible to offer, but I have been through this myself and after a long thougt i decided to a pay a little extra just to be closer to where I'll be commuting and expend my time and energy on more productive stuff which should pay for itself.

Good luck.

 

Brooklyn and Queens both don't have the complications of figuring out how to get home. If I were the OP, I would look into LIC, Astoria, Billyburg, Bushwick and Ft. Greene. All have commutes shorter than Hoboken and prices that are reasonable.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Jersey is obviously your best bet, but don't plan on driving. 45 minute commute is doable.

In fact you could probably go well into the suburbs on a 45 minute time budget. Northeast Corridor train goes straight to Penn Station and central Jersey is about 40 minutes out.

 

You guys have all given more info then I thought I would get on this question; thank you. I guess I am leaning more toward the Jersey City/Queens/Williamsburg locations. I am not in IBD so my hours wont be that intense but because I am doing accounting, busy season will probably be just as bad. It will be good to have a place that is not too far from the office where I can stretch my legs and not get washed by the cost of rent/commute.

BTW does anyone know if any places in Westchester would be around a 30 min commute? I was told that Tarrytown would be a good bet but something tells me that this may not be the case.

 

You can hop over into queens and for 1500 in astoria, some of Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside, have your own 1 bdr and be able to make it to TS in less than a half hour door to door.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

I'd be interested to see the responses to this question too...any ideas for buildings to check out in that area ?? I'm too lazy to walk and I hate the subway..

 

Why in the world would you voluntarily live in Midtown? Unless you are in one of the high-rises near CP South, why would you even want to?

Hate the subways? Cmon, the subway is not scary - man up.

 

Uppereastside, I typically refuse to take the subway in this town if there's any other way. I walk or take cars. The subway is actually somewhat expensive ($2 per ride or slightly less if you buy huge amounts on the Metrocard) and I enjoy walking in this city. I don't know why, but I really dislike it. I definitely chose my apartment so that I didn't have to deal with it.

 

I interned close enough to work that I could walk. I just remember how gross the subway platforms were in the summer and would rather not have to deal with that when I'm dressed for work. Going home, I wouldn't care, but not when I'm freshly dressed.

uppereastside, could you expand on what you find wrong with living in midtown?

 

Besides being convenient to work - what are the pros of living in midtown? It's very dirty, full of tourists on the weekend, not as many bars/restaurants as other areas..

I just don't see the point of why someone would want to - but that's just my opinion. I would much rather live on the UWS, UES, the Village, almost anywhere else...

 

If you are spending 3k on a 1br in Hells Kitchen - then you are getting bent over backwards. That's how bad of a deal that is.

A 1br in midtown goes for around 2000-2600 aprox... Go on craigslist and you can get a pretty good range of what the prices are.

 

^^ That's about right - share w/ a roommate you can probably get away w/ $1400-$1600, depending on building for 1-brm convert. I've known a few people that have their own studios in midtown/murray/lower UES for less than 2k/mth and in prime midtown areas, but they were rare finds and quite small.

Try craigslist.. there's tons of people always looking to replace their roommates in a m/t apartment. Or, if you've already got a roommate, something to consider is going directly to the buildings in the areas of interest. A lot of apts have signs outside that say 'apts for rent, call mngt...' In some cases, going directly, you can avoid the middleman broker, if the apartment does not already have a deal with a broker firm to handle their units.

 

Yea, my only concern is that 6 avenue hike every morning and night.

For those of you who live in studios or know about studios in the city, how much are you currently paying, and could you let me know where in the city it is and whether it's luxury doorman?

 
darkxfriend:
Yea, my only concern is that 6 avenue hike every morning and night.

For those of you who live in studios or know about studios in the city, how much are you currently paying, and could you let me know where in the city it is and whether it's luxury doorman?

Well you're going to be hiking close to 6 avenues one way or another anyway, do you want to do it from a more dirty and less professional area in midtown west, or from a more comfortable and professional area in midtown east? If you're looking for something directly in midtown in between east and west, good luck, because most of the 'luxury' places available to you will be more east or west. You can go a bit more uptown or downtown while staying more central though, and find something decent, but, overall, it will be about the same distance as being at about the same street but a few avenues away from the office. Good luck man.

 

Having moved to NYC last year, I can tell you I ideally wanted to move in for $1200, but after looking at $1200 apartment($2400 for two), my decision quickly changed. You literally get a dump for $1200, or are living east of 1st avenue or above 90s or financial district. I also, work in Midtown and wanting a decent area, I chose Murray Hill and in that area you can find decent apartments for $2800ish. Other areas to consider would be Chelsea, Gramercy, Murray Hill, Midtown areas, Sutton Hill, etc. If you are ok with traveling then look to financial district/upper area of Manhattan. Hope that helps

 

I suggest FiDi at that budget (still might be a bit tight).

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

also going to be looking for a place near midtown/grand central (murray hill, kips bay), anyone have suggestions for (non-craigslist) websites/listing services that you've found particularly helpful?

 

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Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it.
 

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