Cold Spring to City Commute (New York, Yorktown: house, taxi, quality of life)

[jdf718]

Posted this in New York board originally but didn't get a response - reposting here, recognizing that Cold Spring is Putnam, not Westchester.

Anyway, would love to hear from people who commute from Cold Spring, NY in Putnam County into Manhattan on a daily basis, Monday-Friday. I've studied the timetable and done it a few times but what I want to know is whether those that do it daily find it a grind? Do you regret moving that far away from the city? Have you considered changing jobs or leaving your position to avoid the commute? Have you modified your work schedule? Any and all experiences appreciated.

By way of background, Cold Spring remains our favorite but commute has made us hesitant to pull the trigger. Also considering Katonah, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, and Irvington but generally prefer Northern Westchester and Putnam. Yorktown area is also a possibility but we want to find a place walkable to train.

Thank you.

[jyyanks]

I don't live in Cold Spring but as a former commuter into NYC from Southern Westchester, I found driving to very very stressful and taxing and I only commuted from Ardsley. Not sure what your hours are but the reason why I found it to be so tedious is because there was ALWAYS traffic. It took me an hour to go 20 miles and most of that was in bumper to bumper traffic. If you are commuting from NYC to Cold Spring during rush hour, you are looking at a commute of close to 2 hours each way with traffic. That's quite a lot of time you could be spending doing something else. I love Cold Spring too but I do not think the commute will be bearable, unless you have somewhat odd hours in which case, there may not be as much traffic. Even without, its about an 1 hour commute. Dobbs Ferry is very nice - I think you should definitely consider it as an alternate option. beautiful town with some really nice people and a great train station. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

[jdf718]

Thanks jyyanks - would be commuting by train, 5-10 minutes walk from station in Cold Spring. Would never do car. We are looking at Dobbs Ferry too

[bmwguydc]

The commute may not be a grind, especially if it's a place that you love. Some people love the trains and can deal with a longer ride, comparatively, since you have an opportunity to read or otherwise occupy your time. I think it's more about planning your time effectively, since an hour and a half is easy to spend in a commute, unless you're in a closer-in area like Dobbs Ferry.

Back in the stone ages, well, before the mid-1980s when the Harlem Line was electrified, I know people who had an hour and half commute from Katonah on a regular basis, owing to the mandatory switch over from diesel to electric, and the generally slower trains than are allowed on the line today. And, way, way back, they had the reserved club cars on that line where it was a tad more luxurious, but even still it was about occupying time. Sometimes they'd run into friends and have conversations on the commute, other times it was reading a good book, or enjoying a puzzle book. How spoiled we are now to have the faster trains that can do the job in about an hour.

So, I think it could be done from Cold Spring on a daily basis and it not be too much of a grind if you plan your time effectively. And, if you really like Cold Spring, the extra time might well be worth it in the end for the quality of life that you enjoy there.

[NJGirl12]

My two cents:

I commute from Peekskill, which obviously is a bit close, but it's about 1 1/2 hours door to door to my office in midtown. Been doing this commute for just under a year. There is the occaisional day where I wish it didn't take me that long to get home, but for the most part it's been ok.

That said, we also looked in Cold Spring when we were house shopping and for me, I thought that it might be just a little too far (was shooting for a max train ride of an hour). Also, now that it's my reality, I realize that it's nice to be within easy driving distance of the Croton-Harmon station, which has a greater number of trains going to it, especially in the later hours.

[jyyanks]

Oh sorry-I thought you were considering driving! I think a train commute would be much easier. I personally love riding the train as it gives me a chance to relax (I read, listen to music, and play games on my iphone). I wouldn't mind the hour on the train. However what I would mind is leaving the office at 6 and getting home close to 7:30-8. I know alot of people that do it but remember its not just the train ride itself, you also have to factor in the time it takes to get to the train station (probably want to be there at least 5 min before the train arrives), and the time it takes to get from Grand Central to your office. All that adds up. Good Luck!