Is the New Haven MTA station safe to park in? (also asking about other ways to get to NYC without driving) (Bridgeport: how much, live)

cats234 · 01-03-2013, 06:47 PM

I recently moved to CT but my girlfriend lives in Long Island and also sometimes I go to the city. Is New Haven safe to park in for a day or weekend? any other suggestions on how to get to NYC?

I wouldnt mind going to the other closeby stations, which are safe? I heard Bridgeport is bad but not sure about the others

MikefromCT · 01-03-2013, 07:40 PM

If you're going to Long Island, personally I feel it makes more sense to drive. If you ride the train, you'd have to take Amtrak into Penn Station and then hop on the LIRR - which makes tons of stops. Just drive down the Merrit/Hutchinson Parkway to Whitestone Bridge, then take one of the parkways to wherever you're going.

If you're going to Manhattan, MetroNorth is the way to go - cheap and convenient, with frequent departures. New Haven station is fine. Safety shouldn't be an issue. And if you're going on a weekend for an overnight, keep in mind those stops without garages offer free parking on weekends, and you can leave it there overnight as long as you leave by Sunday night. Bridgeport is fine for parking, but it's not in the best area.

cats234 · 01-03-2013, 07:44 PM

Thanks Mike, when I go to Long Island I usually drive. is New Haven the best station to go to if I am coming from West Hartford? the train ride seems to be over 110 minutes but if I go a little farther to Fairfield it would only be about 70 minutes.

MikefromCT · 01-03-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cats234

Thanks Mike, when I go to Long Island I usually drive. is New Haven the best station to go to if I am coming from West Hartford? the train ride seems to be over 110 minutes but if I go a little farther to Fairfield it would only be about 70 minutes.

I didn't realize we lived in the same town - hi, neighbor!

New Haven would definitely be the shortest drive from WeHa. It's exit 1 off I-91 and you ride Route 34 for less than a mile and the train exit is right there. There's plenty of parking. The last few times I've gone to Manhattan it was the weekend so I left my car in Milford, which is the stop right after New Haven. That station is free on saturday & sunday and it's only a bit of a further drive away. It's a small parking lot and it gets crowded on weekends, but I've always found a spot. It's about a 90-minute ride to NYC. Fairfield is a shorter train ride, but a longer car ride. Also, it gets more crowded on board the closer you get to the city. I've parked there too before with no hastles, but I prefer Milford. A shorter drive and if you get there early and need to get coffee or stop at a newstand, downtown is in walking distance and it's a really nice area.

cats234 · 01-03-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

I didn't realize we lived in the same town - hi, neighbor!

New Haven would definitely be the shortest drive from WeHa. It's exit 1 off I-91 and you ride Route 34 for less than a mile and the train exit is right there. There's plenty of parking. The last few times I've gone to Manhattan it was the weekend so I left my car in Milford, which is the stop right after New Haven. That station is free on saturday & sunday and it's only a bit of a further drive away. It's a small parking lot and it gets crowded on weekends, but I've always found a spot. It's about a 90-minute ride to NYC. Fairfield is a shorter train ride, but a longer car ride. Also, it gets more crowded on board the closer you get to the city. I've parked there too before with no hastles, but I prefer Milford. A shorter drive and if you get there early and need to get coffee or stop at a newstand, downtown is in walking distance and it's a really nice area.

Yep, it was actually me who didn't notice, since you had your location in there the whole time! Do you know how much it would cost to park in New Haven for the day?

Based on this link MNR Stations I see $1.30 but am not sure if I am on the correct page. I will probably end up going to New Haven but will look at Milford as well

MikefromCT · 01-03-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cats234

Yep, it was actually me who didn't notice, since you had your location in there the whole time! Do you know how much it would cost to park in New Haven for the day?

Based on this link MNR Stations I see $1.30 but am not sure if I am on the correct page. I will probably end up going to New Haven but will look at Milford as well

Here's what I found. I have no idea how recent this is, but based on the last time I left from New Haven it sounds pretty accurate based on what I paid to park there: New Haven Parking > DETAILS

Stylo · 01-03-2013, 09:31 PM

As an added bonus of the Milford station, nearby Scratch Baking has ridiculously good baked goods.

The New Haven station is perfectly safe.

NewHavensFinest · 01-04-2013, 01:47 AM

New Haven has a multi floor parking complex that is secure, not sure how much it costs.

When I go to NYC, I depart from Milford station. The parking is kind of all over the place, theres a couple lots. One that I happen to go to Ive parked in there over night and I never had to pay anything, even though the front office hut said there was a charge..???

Ive left my car parked in a lot at Milford station for a weekend though with no problems.

Wilton2ParkAve · 01-04-2013, 06:46 AM

Last time I was at the NH station, the bullets only grazed me <g>. All kidding aside, the NH garage is a bit pricey, but certainly safe and convenient to 34/91/95.

checkmatechamp13 · 01-06-2013, 12:35 AM

I'd just like to point that if you're going to LI, there's the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry. It's really good if you're going to eastern Long Island. (There's bus service at the other end, but the buses only run every hour for the most part, but if you could be picked up at the other end, that's great).