Commute from Manhattan to Westfield? (Newark, Roselle: living in, buses, authority)

[james_rebhorn]

Hi all:
I apologize if this post is duplicative of prior posts, but I was curious about the options for someone who wishes to commute from Manhattan to Westfield, NJ.
From my research, I see there may be a few options, but I need a little clarification.

First, it seems that one can pick up a train at Penn-Station NYC, go to Penn-Station Newark, and then take the NJtransit commuter to Westfield. My question about this is the first leg of the trip.

Second, it seems that there is the PATH that again takes one to Newark Penn Station.

Third, is there a bus that runs from 41st street port authority directly to Westfield?

I may be living in the city for the summer and commuting to Westfield for work, and I would like to know the best places to live in order to minimize the commute.

Again, any and all feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks!
-M

[icibiu]

Well I don't know much, but the same thing that will be working to your advantage will also be working against you. You'll be going the opposite direction of most people so while you will probably hit less traffic and get a seat on the bus you will also be a slave to the one or two buses running in that direction at that time since most of NJ Transit's resources will be used in the opposite direction. Don't even THINK about missing your bus!! G/L!

[I live in New Jersey]

Will you be able to walk to your job from the Westfield train station? If not, you'll either have to take a cab or get picked up.

[Natahsa4508]

I am not too familiar w/ the bus but I am quite familiar with the path & train as I used to commute from Roselle Park (same line, Raritan Valley, as Westfield) to NYC. I alternated my commute btwn taking the train straight to NY Penn & taking the train to Newark and then hopping on the path, trying to figure out the least stressful & cheapest route. For me, the path turned out to be cheaper, about $40 a month less, but it took longer as my stop was 33rd street. Path also gives you more options of where you can catch it, as opposed to taking the train from NYC, since you can only board from NY Penn. Also, if you are taking the path from the 33rd-christopher, you'll have to switch at journal square to get to Newark. If you take the path from WTC, it is a straight shot to Newark.
I also found that when taking the path, I missed the connecting train at Newark a couple times b/c of some random delay or I was cutting it too close... However if you take the train from Penn Station and your train is delayed, sometimes they will hold the connecting train for you.
I ended up sticking with the train since it made my commute shorter. But I will warn you, NJ transit trains really aren't the most reliable...

If you do decide to take the train, you should check out clevercommute.com. It's fellow commuters on your line sharing info such as delays, cancellations, etc. I find it to be helpful, although it may not work as well for you since you are going against the rush.

[Hengist]

Didn't I read you will soon be able to commute direct without changing trains?

My grandfather did it for decades with no apparent grumbles or moans.