Hi all,
This post is intended for people working in Midtown NYC, who might be looking to move to New Jersey, and want to factor commute times into their location decision.
In my search for housing I've put together a map on Google that lays out all of the different train lines in northeastern New Jersey. This map isn't intended to give you perfect accuracy, rather, it's meant to give you an idea of where to start your search. I filtered my results to give a maximum commute time from the furthest terminal on the line...That maximum commute is 45 minutes to Penn Station, with the idea being that once there, you could be to any of the major banks in under an hour. I cross-referenced Google's train line search with NJ Transit's schedules to confirm the timing. The lines are color-coded to match NJ Transit's coloring scheme:
Purple: Pascack Valley Line Yellow: Bergen County/Main Line Salmon: Montclaire-Boonton Line Green: Morristown Line Orange: Raritan Valley line Maroon: Northeast Corridor Blue: North Jersey Coast Line
When figuring transit times I specified an arrival time of 7:45AM. Note that when using Google's transit service for northeastern NJ, both NJ Transit and Amtrak trains are included. Big difference in price, so if you're planning a commute from anywhere along the Northeast Corridor, be aware that Amtrak trains are significantly more expensive and closer in scheduling to a flight vice a more traditional public transportation method. From Trenton, a monthly Amtrak pass runs about $1,150.
Not listed are Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, and Secaucus Junction. Newark and Secaucus are two of the major transfer stations for lines like the Raritan line, which requires a transfer at Secaucus to get to NYP in some cases. I also left the light rail lines and PATH off the list due to their close proximity; Almost everything on the PATH is inside 45 minutes. it goes without saying that Jersey City and Hoboken, two popular locations in NJ, are about half an hour from most points that you'd be interested in.
For commuters outside this range that would still like to take the train into the city and avoid having to park in Manhattan, I can tell you from experience that Secaucus has a large parking lot. I've never not found parking there. Plan for about an hour if you're parking at Secaucus and your destination is near Times Square/Bryant park.
Hope this helps someone.
-thx
Sincerely, Your Managing Director
Just to add my $0.02 as a lifetime native of Manhattan and a current midtown office worker - just because a train gets you into the station in 45 mins doesn't mean you will be at the office in 45 mins. This is all the more true given the currently sad state of public transit. It takes me almost 30 minutes to get from Murray Hill to my office in midtown west. So, might want to factor some margin for error into your commute.
I'll be interning in an IB in Midtown East, close to Grand Central. Any recommendations on where to look for a place this summer? I'm trying to keep my commute to less than 20 minutes- is that an unreasonable desire?
Hard to say Dude, it varies a lot. I used to live in TriBeCa and I could take the 1 train uptown and get to midtown west in like 20ish mins. But subways get delayed so there’s a potential for a 30 min trip there too....idk, 20 seems a little aggressive considering that it takes probably 10 mins of walking on either end just to get in and out of the metro/bus.
You could always live in Murray Hill or Tudor City, which would probably just put you within walking distance of the banks over on Park
Yeah that's why I live walking distance to work. I don't trust the trains or traffic. Only way I know I can to work in 10 min is if I'm on my own two feet. Sucks and is a big sacrifice, but it's pretty nice to not really have a commute and be so convenient to work, especially on weekends where I can get by doing a bunch of simple shit at home but still being 10 min from the office if something big comes up.
Yeah - in my opinion, the value of a 20 min or less walk to the office cannot be understated. When work is such a big part of your life, it's an expenditure well worth the cost (at least for me).
Also, just to add my $.02, your strategy has you living in New Jersey.
Something to consider.
BTC is popular as a crypto currently.
BTC (Bridge and Tunnel Crew) is not recommended.
Get a shoebox in Manhattan with roommates. Everybody does it. You don't want a bigger closet in Jersey eating up less time in your day.
Plus, when you talk to a chick in Manhattan, what are you supposed to say when she asks where you live? The dirty Jerz? No dawg, no.
That's all well and fine, but I'm over 30 and married with kids. The days of finding roommates are over...I import my own. Regardless, I shared the information so that you could do what you wanted with it. If you don't want to live in New Jersey, then rock on.
word
My department's lead PM, our CIO and our Head of Investment Strategy all live in NJ. I assure you, all three make more than enough to live well in Manhattan. (some of their underlings do) They just prefer the 'burbs.
You mean the tax break.
Thanks
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