Thinking of relocation - commute to Brooklyn 3 days a week

[BK_PHL_DEL]

If you drove from philly to 36st, that wouldn't be too bad...not too much further after the verrazano. In the time it takes to go from Penn station, transfer at west 4th for the D to 36st, you can be halfway up to Brooklyn by car. But - car payments, insurance, tolls, etc. Time vs money, the classic conundrum.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by loss4words

Hi everyone,

I currently live in Brooklyn, NY, which is unfortunately getting more and more expensive. I also work out of Brooklyn, near 36th street train station. Since my new employer allows me to work remotely twice a week (Monday and Friday), I was thinking about possibly moving to Philadelphia and taking public transportation to and from work. Is this a bad idea?

Ideally, I'd like to keep my rent below $1,400/month with hopes to eventually buy 1 or 2 bedroom apartment for under 200k.

Is this doable? Is transportation costs for those 3 days a week between Philly and Brooklyn not worth it?

I think that it's a terrible idea, for all of the reasons given. Why don't you go to the main NJ board & ask about the viability of living near & using the train from Princeton Junction? That would be close enough to spend time getting familiar with Philadelphia & checking out jobs in or near Philadelphia, if you still have an interest.

[Sammy215267]

Commuting to Brooklyn, from Philly would be $$$$

SEPTA: ANYWHERE TRAILPASS MONTHLY $204
NJT : MONTHLY $480
MTA: I have to check those numbers.... but with SEPTA/NJT combined that is $684 a month, x 12 months = $8,208 not including the money to MTA .
If AMTRAK is thrown into the loop im sure that transit cost will be higher.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Sammy215267

If AMTRAK is thrown into the loop im sure that transit cost will be higher.

For 3 days per week, you'd book Amtrak value fares a couple months in advance. $39.00 one-way. 90 minute train ride to NY Penn. $1,000/month worth of train tickets. Another $100 for a monthly SEPTA pass. Almost that much on the MTA/NY side to get to Brooklyn. I doubt the math works and it's the same money to just rent in Brooklyn where a 1 bedroom apartment is $3K-ish.

That's a pretty soul-crushing commute.

[loss4words]

Thanks everyone! I will stay put where I am

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by loss4words

Hi everyone,

I currently live in Brooklyn, NY, which is unfortunately getting more and more expensive. I also work out of Brooklyn, near 36th street train station. Since my new employer allows me to work remotely twice a week (Monday and Friday), I was thinking about possibly moving to Philadelphia and taking public transportation to and from work. Is this a bad idea?

Ideally, I'd like to keep my rent below $1,400/month with hopes to eventually buy 1 or 2 bedroom apartment for under 200k.

Is this doable? Is transportation costs for those 3 days a week between Philly and Brooklyn not worth it?

Two of my kids rent in Brooklyn for around $1400. I would suggest you focus on finding your next place in Brooklyn and snag a place before it's listed and you have to pay that listing agent fee.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by loss4words

Thanks everyone! I will stay put where I am

Yea, that sounds like a much better plan. If you work near 36th St station in Brooklyn, then that means you have a lot of relatively inexpensive neighborhoods down the D, N, and R trains will take you to work with ease and 1400 should get you a studio apt.