[Hiro]

Hey guys.

I'm curious about commuting options from Ansonia, CT to New York. I figured out that there is a trainstation here and that it drives to the Grand Central Terminal in NYC but I find $30 a little pricey for a round-trip ticket if I want to get there at least 3 times a week. Are there any other options? Bus? Anything?

My problem is I want employment in NYC and live there as well but it seems as if I would need to commute for now since I can't get a place to stay without a job.

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks in advance.

[MikefromCT]

I think the biggest problem you're going to have is commuting to New York from Ansonia. It might be considered part of Metro New York, but that does not guarantee a quick commute. And commuting by bus will be almost identical to train fare, and won't get you into the city as quick. I've taken the bus to and from Port Authority and did it only once - after sitting in gridlock on the Cross Bronx EXPWY for what felt like an eternity I'll never do it again. Metro North is the best way to go, unless you were willing to drive which can also be a schlep. The only other thing I can think of is driving to another train station like in Bridgeport or Norwalk, and I have no idea how full their parking garages get during peak hours.

[JayCT]

Most people that commute to New York regularly buy monthly passes. They are significantly cheaper than buying a ticket every day. Check the Metro North web site for the price. Jay

[kidyankee764]

I know two people who commute to New York from Ansonia and Shelton. The guy from Ansonia takes the train out of Bridgeport daily, since the Ansonia station has limited service and you'd have to switch trains. The other from Shelton drives straight to Washington Heights and swears that his commute would be twice as long by train. Either way, long commute, but people do it from as far away as Naugatuck/Waterbury.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I know two people who commute to New York from Ansonia and Shelton. The guy from Ansonia takes the train out of Bridgeport daily, since the Ansonia station has limited service and you'd have to switch trains. The other from Shelton drives straight to Washington Heights and swears that his commute would be twice as long by train. Either way, long commute, but people do it from as far away as Naugatuck/Waterbury.

Washington Heights, being in northernmost Manhattan, is not quite as hard to drive to as midtown or downtown. Parking in terms of costs and availability is more like that of the south Bronx, tough but not crazy. Most people I know even in the Bronx or southern Westchester who work in Washington Heights (teachers, a lawyer for a tenants group, a store owner) actually do drive there because by train you either have to first take a long subway ride up from Grand Central or park at a subway terminus in the Bronx (which is not a big improvement over parking in Washington Heights). And in the case of teachers it is far enough from the heart of Manhattan that the school usually has a low cost or free parking lot for them.

I'd probably drive if I worked there too.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Washington Heights, being in northernmost Manhattan, is not quite as hard to drive to as midtown or downtown. Parking in terms of costs and availability is more like that of the south Bronx, tough but not crazy. Most people I know even in the Bronx or southern Westchester who work in Washington Heights (teachers, a lawyer for a tenants group, a store owner) actually do drive there because by train you either have to first take a long subway ride up from Grand Central or park at a subway terminus in the Bronx (which is not a big improvement over parking in Washington Heights). And in the case of teachers it is far enough from the heart of Manhattan that the school usually has a low cost or free parking lot for them.

I'd probably drive if I worked there too.

Oh I agree, I'd probably drive too, but wouldn't rule out the train depending on what time I had to be in. I don't think I would make the commute from Ansonia during rush hour simply because of the RT 8/15 traffic. I know someone who used to drive from Seymour to Wilton - a 25 mile trip often took 1.5+ hours, and that's not even going through Stamford or Norwalk (she got off at 41). At that point, it might even be quicker and less stressful to take MTA to GC, then jump on the subway up to Washington Heights. Beats sitting in traffic IMO.

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I know two people who commute to New York from Ansonia and Shelton. The guy from Ansonia takes the train out of Bridgeport daily, since the Ansonia station has limited service and you'd have to switch trains. The other from Shelton drives straight to Washington Heights and swears that his commute would be twice as long by train. Either way, long commute, but people do it from as far away as Naugatuck/Waterbury.

You have got to be kidding me.
People commute from Naugatuck/Waterbury to NYC?
Look I can see people commuting from there to lower FFC....but to NYC seems ABSURD.
We are talking 80-90 miles and frankly, from appalachia to NYC.

I would imagine this would be close to 3 hours round trip...and driving to Washington Heights would be hard since you have Stamford traffic.

If people do this commute though....then in my mind it solidifies even more so the fact that New Haven County and the Naugatuck Valley is by far and away, not even close, Yankee country.
If people are commuting to NYC then why in the world would they relate more culturally to Boston and Boston teams.