Commuting to Manhattan from North Jersey. (Hoboken? Jersey City?) (Newark: apartments, to rent)

[ladidadada]

So I'm looking to move out of my parents house. It's just too far away from work, and I'm tired of the long, long train rides from waaaay out in Queens to the heart of the city. I've been looking at neighborhoods in Queens and Manhattan and have found a few with apartments that are affordable, but I wanted to check with the Jersey forum to see what you guys think about commuting to Manhattan from, let's say, Hoboken or Jersey City.

Some background information: I'm in my early twenties and supporting only myself on $30K/year. I wouldn't mind bringing in a roommate to help with the pay rent. The main reason I'm considering North Jersey has to do with my future plans: I have aspirations to attend graduate school, and depending on what field I enter, Rutgers is both reputable and wouldn't put me in the hole like some institutions in the city would (that is, if I'm charged in-state tuition). I also have friends in Newark and New Brunswick that have done a much better job of keeping in touch than my friends in Queens. (Long story.) Oh, and rent in the city is expensive.

Anyway, I'm done rambling. Living in North Jersey, working in Manhattan, possibly becoming a resident of NJ and then being charged in-state tuition for a Masters program at Rutgers someday. Any feedback on this plan?

[babo111]

There are plenty of threads on commuting to NYC from Hoboken vs. Jersey city so search for them and you'll get the idea quick.

As for grad school, that all depends on what you want to major and personally I recommend you stay in NY. You have more choices in NY for schools and if you work in city makes sense to go to school in city. Schools like Baruch has pretty good masters program and it is public school so you will save money if you are NY resident.

Choices of colleges and universities in NJ are not that impressive nor easy transportation if you plan to work in city and go to grad school. Pretty much good schools in NJ for masters (depending on what you want to master) are Stevens, Princeton, Rutgers. Rest are kind of eh and average...

Lastly if you make 30k/yr in NYC and plan to live in Hoboken, roommate is pretty much a must. Otherwise majority of your paycheck will go into rent because it ain't cheap over there. That said, personally I think you'd be better off in areas like Astoria where rent is more flexible and depending on what part of Astoria you live. N train will take you pretty quick into city.

[ladidadada]

Thanks for the advice, babo! With regards to grad school, I've been looking primarily at Rutgers and schools within the CUNY system. I took out enough loans for my undergrad, so program expense will be a major factor in making my decision. I'll check out the Hoboken vs. Jersey City threads.

[bradykp]

try "jersey city heights" which is just outside of hoboken, has a midtown bus that's quick into the city, and rent is 50-70% the rent of Hoboken. grab a roomate up there, and you'll be well on your way and still have easy access to hoboken bars and such...