Help me figure out where to live for Long Island commute?
July 7, 2015 8:19 AM Subscribe
I got an amazing job offer, but not sure where to move
Hey all! Some help figuring out a new commute in NYC would be much appreciated :) My boyfriend and I currently live in Brooklyn, in the Fort Greene area. I absolutely love our neighborhood and will be so sad to leave it. That said, I just got an amazing job offer in Manhasset, on Long Island. I am a new graduate and I know an offer like this won't come around again for a long time, so I am definitely accepting it. That said, we need some help finding a new NYC neighborhood!
Our combined income will be ~$200k, but we are both frugal people. Our somewhat flexible budget is in the ~$2,600 range. I would like to be close to Penn Station for my commute, and we are thinking of Chelsea. Are there any other neighborhood that would make for a good LI commute? My boyfriend works in DUMBO, so that should be easily reachable as well. We would like a one-bedroom, somewhat quiet neighborhood (I realize everywhere is noisy in NYC, but I don't want to live where everyone goes to party), hopefully close to things like a grocery store, small library, other amenities.
We are open to Queens, Manhattan, or Brooklyn, but the only good commute I can find for us both is in the Penn Station area. I'm not 100% against getting a car, but I haven't driven in four years and am scared of anything bigger than two lanes. I would much rather use public transit.
Thanks very much!
Hey all! Some help figuring out a new commute in NYC would be much appreciated :) My boyfriend and I currently live in Brooklyn, in the Fort Greene area. I absolutely love our neighborhood and will be so sad to leave it. That said, I just got an amazing job offer in Manhasset, on Long Island. I am a new graduate and I know an offer like this won't come around again for a long time, so I am definitely accepting it. That said, we need some help finding a new NYC neighborhood!
Our combined income will be ~$200k, but we are both frugal people. Our somewhat flexible budget is in the ~$2,600 range. I would like to be close to Penn Station for my commute, and we are thinking of Chelsea. Are there any other neighborhood that would make for a good LI commute? My boyfriend works in DUMBO, so that should be easily reachable as well. We would like a one-bedroom, somewhat quiet neighborhood (I realize everywhere is noisy in NYC, but I don't want to live where everyone goes to party), hopefully close to things like a grocery store, small library, other amenities.
We are open to Queens, Manhattan, or Brooklyn, but the only good commute I can find for us both is in the Penn Station area. I'm not 100% against getting a car, but I haven't driven in four years and am scared of anything bigger than two lanes. I would much rather use public transit.
Thanks very much!
In Brooklyn you could make Greenpoint work via the G to Hunters Point as described already -- it would give your boyfriend a two subway or subway + long walk commute though, and the G is not exactly a picnic.
In Manhattan you would probably both be happiest on the Upper West Side. It's dead simple to get down to Penn, and boyfriend could ride the A/C (or 2/3) to DUMBO (or Brooklyn Heights). If you're willing to compromise on space, amenities, or budget UWS should be within your reach.
posted by telegraph at 8:38 AM on July 7, 2015
In Manhattan you would probably both be happiest on the Upper West Side. It's dead simple to get down to Penn, and boyfriend could ride the A/C (or 2/3) to DUMBO (or Brooklyn Heights). If you're willing to compromise on space, amenities, or budget UWS should be within your reach.
posted by telegraph at 8:38 AM on July 7, 2015
The Hunters Point station won't be useful -- trains from there all go through Jamaica, and don't connect to the Port Washington line. Woodside is a lovely place to live (I've been here for over a decade), and ideal for going to Manhasset, but the commute to Dumbo isn't great.
posted by neroli at 8:40 AM on July 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by neroli at 8:40 AM on July 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: This is definitely a case where trying out the actual commutes and seeing how they feel is a must in your decision-making process.
In your price range you can get something super nice (with a much better noise culture / peaceful feel than in Chelsea) near an LIRR stop farther east than Penn, and this would let you avoid starting every day in the madhouse that is rush hour Penn. (The trains themselves should be less crazy if you're reverse-commuting, but Penn seems like not the most peaceful morning start).
Since your boyfriend needs to end up on something F/A/C-ish, he too should try the possible commutes transferring from the G.
You're lucky to live there already and be able to try out the routes. Don't forget to visit your potential apt buildings during night/weekend times to see about the noise culture.
posted by kalapierson at 8:52 AM on July 7, 2015
In your price range you can get something super nice (with a much better noise culture / peaceful feel than in Chelsea) near an LIRR stop farther east than Penn, and this would let you avoid starting every day in the madhouse that is rush hour Penn. (The trains themselves should be less crazy if you're reverse-commuting, but Penn seems like not the most peaceful morning start).
Since your boyfriend needs to end up on something F/A/C-ish, he too should try the possible commutes transferring from the G.
You're lucky to live there already and be able to try out the routes. Don't forget to visit your potential apt buildings during night/weekend times to see about the noise culture.
posted by kalapierson at 8:52 AM on July 7, 2015
Data point: The G is perfectly fine during weekday rush hour. I ride it every day.
posted by Liesl at 8:58 AM on July 7, 2015
posted by Liesl at 8:58 AM on July 7, 2015
Get on the PATH train to Jersey City. Get off at Grove street and walk around a bit. You'll be glad you did.
posted by sexyrobot at 9:31 AM on July 7, 2015
posted by sexyrobot at 9:31 AM on July 7, 2015
I might be delusional, but I don't think the commute from the Woodside/Jackson Heights area to DUMBO would be terrible, if your boyfriend could take the F from 74th Street.
posted by ferret branca at 9:45 AM on July 7, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 9:45 AM on July 7, 2015
Best answer: I vote Long Island City. Your bf can take the east river ferry to dumbo, 20 minutes tops. You can take the 7 and transfer at Woodside to the LIRR.
You 'll pay a bit more than you budgeted but the apartments on the river have gorgeous views of Manhattan and are also right on a waterfront park.
posted by charlielxxv at 10:10 AM on July 7, 2015
You 'll pay a bit more than you budgeted but the apartments on the river have gorgeous views of Manhattan and are also right on a waterfront park.
posted by charlielxxv at 10:10 AM on July 7, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! LIC sounds great, unfortunately my boyfriend is very against looking at Queens but I will try and convince him, and in the meantime expand our search to north Greenpoint. Thanks again!
posted by queens86 at 10:40 AM on July 7, 2015
posted by queens86 at 10:40 AM on July 7, 2015
You should also be aware that rents have skyrocketed over the past year. $2600 in Chelsea will not go far.
posted by yellowcandy at 12:03 PM on July 7, 2015
posted by yellowcandy at 12:03 PM on July 7, 2015
Best answer: Definitely convince him to look at LIC and the apts along center blvd, I think. No broker fee if you make appts with the various leasing offices. Ultimate luxury, like Brooklyn Bridge Park.
posted by charlielxxv at 1:02 PM on July 7, 2015
posted by charlielxxv at 1:02 PM on July 7, 2015
You can afford Manhattan. Don't make your commute a long ride on the seven + LIRR
I also don't think you'd be crazy to buy a car and stay in Fort Greene. The LIE is miserable but Manhasset isn't very far out. Especially if you are working non traditional hours
posted by JPD at 2:45 PM on July 7, 2015
I also don't think you'd be crazy to buy a car and stay in Fort Greene. The LIE is miserable but Manhasset isn't very far out. Especially if you are working non traditional hours
posted by JPD at 2:45 PM on July 7, 2015
I mean the g to the 7 to the LIRR is easily worth a few hundred bucks to avoid. And anything that isn't Penn has to be Woodside.
posted by JPD at 2:48 PM on July 7, 2015
posted by JPD at 2:48 PM on July 7, 2015
Once you get off the LIRR in Manhasset, how will you get to your job? If it's not walking distance, then you'll probably have to get a taxi, and one on the way back. If this is true you really might want to get a car. The LIRR is three lanes -- just one more than your tolerable two -- and it's really not so bad.
Then you could stay in Brooklyn.
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:05 PM on July 7, 2015
Then you could stay in Brooklyn.
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:05 PM on July 7, 2015
Best answer: Personally, I'd hate living anywhere within walking distance of Penn Station, and I don't think the subway from UWS to Penn Station is any shorter than the subway from LIC to Woodside (maaaybe if you are right on top of the express 2/3 stop at 72nd). Either way, you'll get more for your money in LIC.
Personal ranking of your options:
1) LIC. You take the 7 to Woodside and transfer to the LIRR, boyfriend takes the East River Ferry.
2) Stay in Fort Greene and get a car.*
3) Greenpoint. The G is actually fine at rush hour, but the extra transfer would be pretty annoying. Also, the G doesn't get that close to Dumbo, though if you get the right location in northern Greenpoint (like Franklin Ave. area), BF could take the ferry.
4) Upper West Side.
5) Harlem/Morningside. Longer commute than UWS for both of you, but not terrible, and you'd get more for your money.
6) Jackson Heights/Woodside. It's nice, and still pretty inexpensive, but if you have to sell your BF on Queens, JH or Woodside is going to be a tougher sell than LIC. His commute would also be a bit of a slog.
7) Anywhere within walking distance of Penn Station. Blech. (I will, however, readily admit that I am not really a Manhattan person.)
*Before you do any of this, be sure to find out where in Manhasset your office is located. If you are not within walking distance of an LIRR station, you'll probably want to drive, anyway (a bike could possibly be an option, but I'm not sure there is much room for bikes on LIRR cars).
posted by breakin' the law at 8:27 AM on July 8, 2015
Personal ranking of your options:
1) LIC. You take the 7 to Woodside and transfer to the LIRR, boyfriend takes the East River Ferry.
2) Stay in Fort Greene and get a car.*
3) Greenpoint. The G is actually fine at rush hour, but the extra transfer would be pretty annoying. Also, the G doesn't get that close to Dumbo, though if you get the right location in northern Greenpoint (like Franklin Ave. area), BF could take the ferry.
4) Upper West Side.
5) Harlem/Morningside. Longer commute than UWS for both of you, but not terrible, and you'd get more for your money.
6) Jackson Heights/Woodside. It's nice, and still pretty inexpensive, but if you have to sell your BF on Queens, JH or Woodside is going to be a tougher sell than LIC. His commute would also be a bit of a slog.
7) Anywhere within walking distance of Penn Station. Blech. (I will, however, readily admit that I am not really a Manhattan person.)
*Before you do any of this, be sure to find out where in Manhasset your office is located. If you are not within walking distance of an LIRR station, you'll probably want to drive, anyway (a bike could possibly be an option, but I'm not sure there is much room for bikes on LIRR cars).
posted by breakin' the law at 8:27 AM on July 8, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by larthegreat at 8:26 AM on July 7, 2015 [1 favorite]