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Well, its been a while, and since I went through with this, I thought I'd update.
In January, I accepted the job in Melville, and moved from Chicago to DUMBO, in Brooklyn. I actually live a bit up from DUMBO in Vinegar Hill, where parking isn't an issue 95% of days, and is just a few blocks from the BQE. Here's my take on this:
Usual drive time: 50 min. I leave around 7:00-7:10 in the morning. I stop for coffee, and am usually in the office around 7:50-8:10. There have been days where this has been a bit later, but they are far between. For a while I was carpooling with a friend in Bushwick, and even stopping there, I was in the office by 8:30.
Usual drive time: 75 min. I usually leave Melville around 5:00-5:15. I use the app Waze (which is awesome) and usually end up on the LIE but sometimes take the Northern State. I'm usually home anywhere between 6:10 and 6:30. If I stop at the grocery I'm home around 6:30-6:45.
I've tried taking the LIRR, and the timing both ways is about the same, all in. Problem is, my office doesn't provide a shuttle from the Farmingdale station, and its about 3 miles away. I've gotten a ride from a co-worker, but I don't want to rely on it every day. I can't park there overnight without a pass, and there's a waiting list to get a pass for non-residents. I'm on the waiting list, and if my name comes up I may switch to the train and only drive Monday morning, leave my car in Long Island for Monday evening through Friday morning, then drive home Friday night.
All in all, I spend about 2 hours a day in the car. Take that as you will, I was doing a very similar drive in Chicago so it really hasn't phased me. It gives me time to decompress, call the parents (hands-free only!), or just catch up on NPR podcasts. I wouldn't change it. Co-workers that are around my age end up spending the weekends in the city anyway, crashing on couches or running to catch the LIRR back to LI, and missing out on weekday evening events. I really love being in Brooklyn and only being one stop to Manhattan. Just thought I'd give an update.
Why so? What is in the 'burbs that can't be found in the outerboros?
Affordable housing for 3+ bedrooms that is in good public school district and different pace of life. Don't get me wrong, NYC has its advantages but so does the burbs.
The advantage is that you'll always be paying an off peak fare.
For future reference, if you get a monthly pass, you don't pay an off-peak fare anyway.
FWIW, I didn't see this thread at the time it was originally made, but I might've thrown Woodside out there as a suggestion. Right along the LIRR, and not too far from the LIE. (Though many times, it might be better to take local streets until you get further out).
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