Possibly moving to NYC with reverse commute to NJ--where to live? (Holland: to rent, calculator)

[8709]

Hi All,

I may be moving to the NYC/NJ area for a job in Franklin Lakes, NJ. I really want to live in Manhattan for at least the first year. I know that UWS would be closest commute-wise. Is the commute so bad that I shouldn't consider anywhere else? About how long would it be? I've heard that it is best to live in the 76th to 100th range, not over 100. Is that accurate? If I need to rent a parking space in a garage for my commute, what will that run me? In case it's relevant, I'm early 30s single female. Thanks for any suggestions!

[nybbler]

So you're planning to drive out of NYC every day, head halfway across Jersey, and then head back IN every night?

I suggest you take a look at the GWB traffic inbound on a Friday evening before you make any committments.

[8709]

Where do I find that info? I see the travel times on Google maps but I know it would be quite different at rush hour, even the reverse commute, but I haven't found any online calculators or anything. Truth be told, I don't have a real sense of how long it takes at rush hour.

[8709]

Also, I just read that Holland Tunnel is better than GWB for the reverse commute. Is that true? Meaning I'd be better off not livng in UWS? UWS isn't my first choice, I'd be doing it for commuting reasons so it would be good to know if I didn't have to.

[mps0909]

SImple solution to your problem: Google maps from Point A to Point B at X time of the day, do that for a few weeks and average it out.

[brooklyn1234]

It's all so hit or miss. Is your job flexible with your hours? If you were able to work something like 7-3 instead of 9-5 you could make it work. As long as you are out of the city by 6:30 at the latest traffic shouldn't be a huge problem. Unless of course there is an accident on one of the bridges/tunnels and then you are literally screwed. I would guess that if you were leaving later (i.e. for a 9-5 type of schedule) you could expect your commute to be around an hour each way between traffic in the city, traffic on the bridge, and then traffic on the NJ highways outside of the city. I think the GW is probably your best bet because it gets you onto the highway pretty quickly on the other side. The Holland tunnel leads you through a maze of off/on ramps before you get to the highway. Although I will admit I've found the area much easier to navigate since they redid the whole thing this year.

[8709]

I'd probably be looking at 8 or 8:30 to 5 or 6. My hope/expectation is that I'd be looking at 40 or 45 minutes in the morning and probably closer to an hour coming home. I've read it takes less time in the morning than at night though I'm not clear on why that would be unless there is an accident or a game or something. I was also thinking of delaying my return time by going to the gym or something in the evenings. Is leaving an hour or so later going to make a difference or is it all gridlock all the time (NYC traffic has quite a reputation!)? I want to make sure I'm not kidding myself about my commute.

So agreed I should live in UWS then? Google maps seems to take me up to GWB even if I live in the Village or Tribeca or something.

Thank you all so much for your help! There's no substitute for locals with actual experience in the area.

[jaciiiii]

Hey 8709 - Where did you end up?

[mps0909]

Your doing a reverse commute so it shouldn't be terrible, Its only a 30 minute Drive to Franklin Lakes from GW Bridge, so the further North in Manhattan you'd be avoiding lots of gridlock downtown. I don't see it averaging more than 1 hr driving each way.