Moving to NYC/NJ - advice please? (Jersey City, Montclair: how much, place to live)

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by wileynj

Depends on what time he boards...

I don't follow what list you're posting (to / from where ?) once he's at the njtransit destination, he still needs to get to Wall St.

The nj transit leg of your trip needs to be under 40 minutes to have a hope of a door-to-door commute that's even close to an hour. Once you get to Hoboken, you still have have 20 minutes or so to go (transfer to WTC + walk ~10 minutes), and you need to get to the station in the first place.

[Lusitan]

Originally Posted by UKOK

Taking the train from Ridgewood to Hoboken takes 38 mins. The path from Hoboken to Wall St is 10 mins.

Add the 15 minutes you need to leave your house upfront to get to the Ridgewood train station on time.

Then add at least 10 minutes for the connection time between getting off the NJ Transit in Hoboken and catching the PATH (we'll be generous and say that this also includes all the small delays that happen almost every day on NJ Transit).

Then add the 10-15 minute walk from WTC PATH station down to Wall St.

Anyone doing this commute (or any commute from suburban NJ to Wall St.) should prepare themselves for a 75 to 90 minute door-to-door commute. It's a drag, but if they go into it mentally prepared at least it won't be a shock.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by UKOK

Taking the train from Ridgewood to Hoboken takes 38 mins. The path from Hoboken to Wall St is 10 mins.

Add 5 minutes wait for the transfer to the PATH, and about 10-15 minutes to get from WTC PATH to work, and another 5-10 minutes to get to Ridgewood station from his doorstep. It's about 70 minutes at best.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by elflord1973

I don't follow what list you're posting (to / from where ?) once he's at the njtransit destination, he still needs to get to Wall St.

The nj transit leg of your trip needs to be under 40 minutes to have a hope of a door-to-door commute that's even close to an hour. Once you get to Hoboken, you still have have 20 minutes or so to go (transfer to WTC + walk ~10 minutes), and you need to get to the station in the first place.

The list posted as a "mess" by the shortest run was 60 mins. - I always forget about the walk or taxi to and from

[Obrero]

I only posted the train times. One would think it would be obvious there would be additional time required for walking to the train station, climbing on the train, walking to work etc. That said, the commute from Ridgewood to Wall St is only a good choice because the OP's wife has to get to Mahwah. Otherwise there are much better choices for an easy commute.

[Lusitan]

Originally Posted by wileynj

I always forget about the walk or taxi to and from

As does everyone who does not do the NJ-to-NYC commute on a daily basis.

It's really quite amusing how people who live in NJ tand don't commute to NYC think it's so easy (and fast) to commute to NYC. Myths abound about 1 hour commutes.

Make no mistake about it -- unless you work in a radius very close to Penn Station in Manhattan, your commute from any typical NJ suburban town will be 75 to 90 minutes door-to-door, each way. That's up to 3 hours a day, every weekday, just to get to and from work.

It sucks. But it's reality. People are willing to make the sacrifice, but they should be under no illusions before they jump into this lifestyle.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by Lusitan

As does everyone who does not do the NJ-to-NYC commute on a daily basis.

It's really quite amusing how people who live in NJ tand don't commute to NYC think it's so easy (and fast) to commute to NYC. Myths abound about 1 hour commutes.

yeah, I was wondering who all these lucky people are whose train picks them up from their doorstep and drops them at their desk

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by UKOK

I only posted the train times. One would think it would be obvious there would be additional time required for walking to the train station, climbing on the train, walking to work etc. That said, the commute from Ridgewood to Wall St is only a good choice because the OP's wife has to get to Mahwah. Otherwise there are much better choices for an easy commute.

I agree that it's one of the better choices. A short commute to both Wall St and Mahwah is a pretty tough ask. You really need to compromise a little ...

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by wileynj

The list posted as a "mess" by the shortest run was 60 mins. - I always forget about the walk or taxi to and from

Where was it from/to ? There is no njtransit train to WTC, so you're missing a subway ride there too. Seriously, if the njtransit leg is 60 minutes, your commute to Wall St will be over 90 minutes, probably closer to 2hrs. If someone asks for a 1hr commute and you suggest a town that gives them a 2hr commute, you're doing them a disservice.

[Obrero]

I spent 10 years driving to NYC from Denville. I always (except for acts of God) made it door to door in less than an hour... However I got up super early - I was through the Lincoln before 6:50am and I worked very close to the Lincoln and my building had parking. If I took the train or the bus it would have been at least 1 1/2 painful hours. Also leaving I had to be out by 5 or wait till after 7. The point is - it can be done especially if you get up and out early.