Red Bank to New Brunswick commute (Newark, Jersey City: apartments, condos, co-ops)

[univ0681]

Hi,

We are a young couple, no kids, currently living in Westfield. We have dual commutes to 1) Financial District in NYC, and 2) New Brunswick.

Westfield is OK but a bit too quiet and kid-oriented for us. We are thus looking for a town that'd be a slightly better fit for us. We visited Red Bank and liked it a lot. We have talked to people who live in Red Bank and commute to lower Manhattan by ferry, but would like information on what the commute from Red Bank to New Brunswick would be like. The commute from Red Bank to New Brunswick would be by car and at slightly off-peak hours: leave at 9am, come back after 6:45pm.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by univ0681

Hi,

We are a young couple, no kids, currently living in Westfield. We have dual commutes to 1) Financial District in NYC, and 2) New Brunswick.

Westfield is OK but a bit too quiet and kid-oriented for us. We are thus looking for a town that'd be a slightly better fit for us. We visited Red Bank and liked it a lot. We have talked to people who live in Red Bank and commute to lower Manhattan by ferry, but would like information on what the commute from Red Bank to New Brunswick would be like. The commute from Red Bank to New Brunswick would be by car and at slightly off-peak hours: leave at 9am, come back after 6:45pm.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think it would be too bad. You just hop right on Route 18, and for the first part of the trip, it's smooth sailing. There's hardly any traffic on 18, and the traffic that there is, moves quickly--until you get closer to New Brunswick and a denser civilization. It will probably be fine just by virtue of the fact that you aren't leaving Red Bank until 9 a.m. Most of the 9-to-5 commuter crowd should be at work by then.

Red Bank also has a train station, which is your alternate for times when the ferry isn't running due to weather. Or if you need to cut your commuting budget. (Train's about half the cost of the ferry per month.)

[univ0681]

Thanks many for the helpful reply. If possible at all, any information on areas to live in Red Bank (we want to be close, but not too close to downtown, i.e. be able to ideally walk to downtown, or if not at least have a short drive to it, but live in a somewhat quieter area with no noise from people who are out at night etc). Comments on nearby towns (especially the two towns ferrys depart from) also greatly appreciated.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by univ0681

Thanks many for the helpful reply. If possible at all, any information on areas to live in Red Bank (we want to be close, but not too close to downtown, i.e. be able to ideally walk to downtown, or if not at least have a short drive to it, but live in a somewhat quieter area with no noise from people who are out at night etc). Comments on nearby towns (especially the two towns ferrys depart from) also greatly appreciated.

I live about ten minutes' drive from Red Bank, and that works for me. The only downside is that parking is tight in Red Bank, so if you aren't living in town within walking distance, you might still have to walk a ways once you do park your car. I do happen to live in a very quiet and somewhat isolated area, but you might not want to live where I live. It's more of a working-class neighborhood where there are only apartments, condos and co-ops available and it's very "diverse". I love it here, but it's not for everyone, particularly if one is more comfortable in upscale surroundings.

However, since I commute to the city (actually now Jersey City, since we moved offices out of Manhattan in the fall), be aware that while the train ticket price for Little Silver is the same as for Red Bank, Red Bank has a waiting list for train station parking permits while Little Silver does not. Just in case you want another option besides the ferry. Little Silver seems to be more of a suburban type of town where people will live with child-raising in mind, but you also have Oceanport next door, which is smaller and less family-oriented, I think, yet still very nice.

A friend of mine lives in a townhouse in Highlands and has for many years, and she loves it there. Also, I always hear that the cops in the Highlands are tough on drunk drivers and whatnot, so it's probably a good town if you are looking for something quiet and with certain standards of living.

[taha-nj]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

I don't think it would be too bad. You just hop right on Route 18, and for the first part of the trip, it's smooth sailing. There's hardly any traffic on 18, and the traffic that there is, moves quickly--until you get closer to New Brunswick and a denser civilization. It will probably be fine just by virtue of the fact that you aren't leaving Red Bank until 9 a.m. Most of the 9-to-5 commuter crowd should be at work by then.

Red Bank also has a train station, which is your alternate for times when the ferry isn't running due to weather. Or if you need to cut your commuting budget. (Train's about half the cost of the ferry per month.)

can you elaborate on not too bad by any chance? awhile ago i had asked here about the red bank-new brunswick commute and was told that it would be around an hour each way... although i remember that GSP had been mentioned, rather than R18--is R18 alot quicker to get into NB?

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by taha-nj

can you elaborate on not too bad by any chance? awhile ago i had asked here about the red bank-new brunswick commute and was told that it would be around an hour each way... although i remember that GSP had been mentioned, rather than R18--is R18 alot quicker to get into NB?

I think so--Route 18 is more direct and there's less traffic. You'd probably have to do a Google Map search to the exact point to find out.

However, I'm basing my memory on driving from where I live (about ten minutes from Red Bank) to visit Rutgers when my daughter was thinking about going to school there. It was about a 45-minute drive.

[taha-nj]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

I think so--Route 18 is more direct and there's less traffic. You'd probably have to do a Google Map search to the exact point to find out.

However, I'm basing my memory on driving from where I live (about ten minutes from Red Bank) to visit Rutgers when my daughter was thinking about going to school there. It was about a 45-minute drive.

thank you. not as bad as i thought then, but i guess it could easily become an hour long commute on bad days. i really liked red bank, one of the best downtowns i've seen in nj... still not sure if it's worth the commute however

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by taha-nj

thank you. not as bad as i thought then, but i guess it could easily become an hour long commute on bad days. i really liked red bank, one of the best downtowns i've seen in nj... still not sure if it's worth the commute however

Listen, to me your commute sounds like a piece of cake. I live, as mentioned, a few minutes from Red Bank. I commute to Jersey City and went to Manhattan before the offices moved last year. Manhattan was almost two hours. Jersey City is an hour and twenty to an hour and half, depending up the train connections (NJ Coast Line to Newark, then switch to PATH.)

The tradeoff for living here in Monmouth County is that you are fifteen minutes from the ocean and out of the areas of urban decay found north of us. There are beautiful rivers and watermeadows in the area filled with white egrets and other creatures, and after your long day at work, you get to return home to the peace and calm that our geography provides. If you want a nice dinner out or some drinks with friends or just a cup of coffee at Zebu on Broad Street, it's easily accessible in Red Bank.

It makes the commute worthwhile, at least to me! And I'd do backflips if I had only a one hour commute! I have no idea what that must be like, but it sounds nice.

[eliz234]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

It's more of a working-class neighborhood where there are only apartments, condos and co-ops available and it's very "diverse". I love it here, but it's not for everyone, particularly if one is more comfortable in upscale surroundings.

Well said

[Hal Jalikeakick]

route 18 N is a mess in the mornings starting around e brunswick. as others have stated though by 9am it could be better. there's always traffic potential getting in and out of RB as well.

only one way to find out, try it yourself.