Keyport and commute (Union, Union Beach, Raritan: house, to buy, living in) - City-Data Forum

Saysme · 04-04-2012, 09:43 AM

Hi everyone. We are moving to Keyport. We found a fantastic home that is a renovated Victorian with a fenced yard for the dogs in our price range. We love the fishing pier, the waterfront and the proximity to the beach and everything else just fits us and our lifestyles.

We are wondering what the best way to commute to NYC uptown would be? It looks like driving in rush hour would not work and both of us will be commuting daily. How is the bus... Where does it pick up, how long does it take? Is the train a better option or should we take the ferry?

Help!

FacultyM · 04-04-2012, 10:14 AM

The bus is the least expensive and probably the quickest. I think a monthly ticket is around $240 where the train is about $380 and the last time I looked at the ferry, it was close to $500. They all take about 50 minutes but parking is free for the bus and ferry. Train has daily spots but getting an actual spot is difficult.
Best of luck and enjoy Keyport! I loved living there. You probably know this already but here is the town website: Keyport, NJ - The Pearl of the Bayshore - Home. I think I missed two garbage pickups before I downloaded the schedule.

NJpoliticiansarecrooks · 04-04-2012, 10:56 AM

Train is not anywhere close to 50 minutes.

FacultyM · 04-04-2012, 11:01 AM

It was 57 minutes from Aberdeen when my husband took the express up until three years ago. Sometimes it was late, though.

Irish Eyes · 04-04-2012, 11:16 AM

If you can afford it I would take the ferry from Belford. My husband commutes to Port Authority from Hazlet (I used to go to Wall Street) on Academy Bus. I don't think they have one that goes through Keyport but you could catch it at Cheesequake rest area or from Airport Plaza (on 36 and Middle Road). The fare from Airport Plaza is $315 per month but you would likely need a permit to park in the shopping center lot. The fare from Cheesequake would be $325 and the monthly ticket includes parking. The schedule times on their website to Port Authority are pretty accurate. The ones to Wall Street are not - it takes much longer both ways than they claim.

The ferry is a fortune but it is a wonderful little slice of heaven.

I love Keyport - very cute little town with a lot of activities. Love the free concerts. I know you didn't ask about the area but I'll tell you anyway. LOL. The Henry Hudson Trail is great for riding, walking and taking your dogs out (on a leash please!). And look at Thompson Park - they have a very large, enclosed dog run. We don't have a dog yet but it's really popular with owners!

Saysme · 04-04-2012, 11:41 AM

Thanks for the information! So, it looks like the bus because we can't afford the ferry. Academy from Airport Plaza or go to Cheesequake, I suppose.
Awesome tip on the dog run! Thank you! They will love that. Also, is there hiking or good spots for nature walks in the area? We knew about the Henry Hudson trail because it was part of what we liked about Keyport.
TIA!

Irish Eyes · 04-04-2012, 02:07 PM

So many spots! I haven't even checked them all out yet. Cheesequake is nice and has some trails. Huber Woods and Hartshorne near Highlands. And I really like Thompson park. Holmdel has some nice wooded trails too - the area track and field teams all seem to train there. Holmdel also has a sledding hill and skating pond when we get a REAL winter. And the park house becomes a warming hut with a big fireplace. There is a paved trail all through Sandy Hook that is great for biking, rollerblading and walking. It goes from the start of the beach straight out past the lighthouse and near all the cool, old military stuff. I love all the outdoor stuff here.

Here is great info about all the county parks and different programs they run

Monmouth County Park System Parks

You can check into the train too. We never did because we can walk to the bus. Academy does a pretty good job. But driving in and out of the city there is always going to be some trouble. The price for living in paradise. LOL

FacultyM · 04-09-2012, 10:55 AM

Totally agree with the above post. We also like to do the walk and bike trails on Sandy Hook. We saw a beautiful red fox and some seals one day. It was so cool.
We also regularly hike the trails at Turkey Swamp, Allaire and Holmdel Park with our kids. I don't know about dogs, though. Check the Monmouth parks website above. Enjoy!

fmarcanojr · 04-19-2012, 07:25 AM

We also commute to NYC and plan to buy a small 1+ br, ranch-style home within a mile of the marina in Keyport, or near the beaches at Cliffwood Beach or Union Beach, or possibly even in Hazlet.
For the past two years, we have visited relatives in Keyport and each time, the residents seem so friendly. Even the diner on Front St. serves awesome breakfast, and their customers and waitresses are friendly and provide great information. So, our desire is to enjoy fishing in the Raritan Bay/Keyport Harbor areas, and enjoy the boardwalks nearby. Again, great information provided by everyone here. Thank You.

Saysme · 04-29-2012, 08:44 AM

Thanks to all of you for the fantastic responses! I didn't mean to post and run but I had my stuff packed for the move. I can't wait to check out all of the trails you mentioned and I am so glad we moved here. I absolutely love the house and the town. We really got a bargain here and the dogs are fascinated with the garden. I think that will be my next post... what to plant in the garden that the dogs can't dig up! Big trees, I guess?