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I know a couple of people who commute into the city from Pennsylvania every day for comparatively low-end jobs (around $50 to $70 thousand a year). They make more in the city than they would in Allentown, but time is money, too, and spending that much time on a bus doesn't seem worth it to me. What's the point of having a large house if you're never there?
Now, you do have to learn how to play the commute. While on the bus or train, do something constructive, like read or sleep (sleep is constructive on the trip, due to a long day at work!). The main issues on commuting, though, are the commuter fees. Mine are around $220/month.
I know a couple of people who commute into the city from Pennsylvania every day for comparatively low-end jobs (around $50 to $70 thousand a year). They make more in the city than they would in Allentown, but time is money, too, and spending that much time on a bus doesn't seem worth it to me. What's the point of having a large house if you're never there?
The concept of owning the roof over one's head is a primordial instinct that surpasses even the urge to have sex or to procreate.
Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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I just found out one of my students (teach in the south Bronx) up and left real fast to move to PA. Some of the kids tell me they have family in PA also.
My fiance knows a couple teachers in his school who commute to Flushing from PA. He said he wouldn't mind it for a cheaper house. He sometimes complains about his commute to western Suffolk county. He would have that commute doubled going to PA. I told him I never want to have more than an hour commute. It would drive me insane. To me, I would rather struggle more paying off a house with a decent commute, than to have a much further commute that drives me nuts with a large house.
I told him I never want to have more than an hour commute. It would drive me insane. To me, I would rather struggle more paying off a house with a decent commute, than to have a much further commute that drives me nuts with a large house.
When thinking about a place to live, one has to look at all of the factors, with the positives and negatives, and be willing to deal with everything. For example, you would rather "struggle more paying off a house with a decent commute than to have a much farther commute". Very well, then.
But just remember, there are plenty of people who paid the price and are struggling with the price (big mortgage, taxes, etc). And that is driving them crazy. On the other side, there are people who went for the large, exurban house in PA, and are paying the price for the commute.
Whatever you do, deal with the consequences. Believe me, those consequences WILL be a battle.
Can't blame them for leaving. I've been thinking about leavin eventually too.
Housing is expensive even in unsafe areas.
You can't put your kids in public schools.
You can't get decent car insurance.
It sucks.
Now, you do have to learn how to play the commute. While on the bus or train, do something constructive, like read or sleep (sleep is constructive on the trip, due to a long day at work!). The main issues on commuting, though, are the commuter fees. Mine are around $220/month.
Not too bad actually. Consider the commute from my area, which is "Zone 4" on the LIRR and my stop takes only around 35 minutes give or take to get to Penn Station or Brooklyn:
Monthly ticket for Zone 4 of LIRR: $185.00
Cost of subway if your office isn't within walking distance of Penn Station in Manhattan or Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn: approx. $4 a day x 20 days = $80 or a monthly MetroCard = $81
Grand total = around $286.00
... and I am only 16.10 miles via the LIRR from Penn Station as per hopstop.com
They have been trying to unload year-round homes in the Poconos for years and years AND YEARS! Even back when I was a kid and read the daily NY newspapers (Post, Daily News, etc.) I saw the double-spread full-page ads for "low cost new homes" in the Poconos.
And, yes, even back then they were promising a "commuter rail road" to NYC from the Poconos. Of course, it hasn't happened yet. I doubt there are even any plans for it.
More power to ya who can make that commute!
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