Manhattan to Greenwich Commute

Recently got an offer in Greenwich and thinking about living in Manhattan to be closer to friends/nightlife/etc. (Wiki says it takes 45-60 min. to get from Grand Central to the Greenwich station.) Does anyone here do this? Did it get unbearably tiring after a while? From your experience, has it been "worth it" to live in the city? What do you guys usually do during the commute? I'd love to get some thoughts on this before I sign a long-term lease. Much thanks in advance.

NYC to Greenwich CT Commute Worth It

Our users shared that this commute is about 50 minutes long and is generally fairly nice since it is a reverse commute from the city. A user also shared that it might be wise to get a crash pad for tax shelter purposes in CT.

Anihilist - Sales and Trading Associate:
I used to be a commuter to NYC. I think that riding the train is more pleasant than having to take the subway for 20 min every day. Also, since you're a reverse commuter, the trains might not be so packed in the mornings and evenings.

Also, if you have early mornings, you can sleep on the train or read without having to cram your ass into a standing room only 6 train like an animal and stand their miserably with only your music to drown out your misery.

Cons are that you have to plan your arrivals and departures according to train schedules. It's not the subway that comes every 5 min, and late at night the trains really space out. So if you want to go out for drinks after work, you'll really have to manage your time wisely, or else end up: A) getting stuck in Greenwich for the night or B) spending 100 on a cab back to the city.

holla_back:
Many reverse commuters share crash pad type places up in Connecticut. The money you save in taxes by making CT your residence generally pays for the rent, so it's not a huge expense.

New York City to Greenwich Connecticut Commute Time

While the commute time is listed as around 50 minutes, that does not include the amount of time it takes you to get from your appartment to Grand Central Station and vice versa.

User @packmate" shared about the length of the commute:

packmate - Private Equity Associate:
Yeah dude, just did the commute a couple of days ago. Take like 50 mins both ways at peak hours. Not horrible at all, but you will most likely be getting home pretty late


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If you're able to afford it, you should live in the city.

Will you be working at a place with a lot of junior employees? Is this a front office type gig?

EDIT: I ask because many reverse commuters share crash pad type places up in Connecticut. The money you save in taxes by making CT your residence generally pays for the rent, so it's not a huge expense.

 
Best Response

I used to be a commuter (from much further away) to NYC. I think that riding the train is more pleasant than having to take the subway for 20 min every day. Also, since you're a reverse commuter, the trains might not be so packed in the mornings and evenings. Also if you have early mornings, you can sleep on the train (especially going to Greenwich since its just far enough where you can catch some zzs) or read without having to cram your ass into a standing room only 6 train like an animal and stand their miserably with only your music to drown out your misery.

Cons are that you have to plan your arrivals and departures according to train schedules. It's not the subway that comes every 5 min, and late at night the trains really space out. So if you want to go out for drinks after work, you'll really have to manage your time wisely, or else end up: A) getting stuck in Greenwich for the night or B) spending 100 on a cab back to the city.

Also to consider, if you're not living next to GC, you'll have to take the subway to the terminal which can make things difficult.

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Gray Fox:

A lot of the big funds are literally right next to the train station (Lone Pine, Viking, Silver Point, AQR) with some of the other ones maybe a 10 minute walk up Greenwich Avenue (JAT). If you live relatively close to Grand Central it should be an hour from door to desk

Caveat this with if the offer is from Tudor, it is entirely different. That is about another 15-20 minute drive from the train station.

 
Gray Fox:

A lot of the big funds are literally right next to the train station (Lone Pine, Viking, Silver Point, AQR) with some of the other ones maybe a 10 minute walk up Greenwich Avenue (JAT). If you live relatively close to Grand Central it should be an hour from door to desk

This is spot on. Also OP, a commute isn't that bad at all. I've done one a little longer and it helps you plow through books and 10ks like no tomorrow.

However, it also may be easier to live in greenwich which is nice as hell anyway and just commute to NYC when you want to go out. Although I guess if you want to avoid taking a train back to greenwich in a drunken stupor at 3 am then yea, living in manhattan makes sense.

That being said, wouldn't you have friends in NYC where you can crash on the weekend?

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