Commuting to NYC (Columbia U?) (Union City, Union: rent, how much, school)

[whereswaldo]

I would really like to keep my car so I'm considering living in NJ and commuting to Columbia University for grad school, probably not everyday but frequently.

Would this be a ridiculous commute? How much time (realistically) should I expect to commute each day? I'm thinking of areas like Fort Lee since Columbia is on the upper side, but there seems to be no trains running, only buses. Would that be a safe commute (considering that the area around Columbia might not be too friendly for a young female)?

Oh, and my budget is about 1000/month rent for a studio space or 1bedroom, is that feasible? Otherwise I might as well just sell my car and move into the city to somewhere cheap (like get roommates and live in a tiny closet in the city) .

[Ninasimonejr]

The area around Columbia U. is totally fine. It's lovely. One of the best areas in Manhattan for students or anyone for that matter. The commute is fine too. NJ Transit buses are very comfortable and safe.

I can't speak about the Fort Lee/Englewood/etc buses that go over the GWB but there are a gazillion NJT and gypsy buses going into Port Authority and it doesn't take long to get from there to Columbia via the 1/2/3/ trains. I've worked p/t right next door to Columbia commuting from Weehawken. I allowed 1-1/4 hour door to door and usually got there in an hour or just over.

The key is to try to live close to a bus stop and in a town that's not too far from NYC where bus service is frequent. This forum is full of discussions of exactly that.

And yes, you can find studios or 1-BRs for $1000. It may be hard to find exactly what you want. You probably can't do it in Hoboken, and it might be tough in JC. but Union City for sure; Weehawken or West New York probably. I don't know about the Fort Lee area. Good luck.