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There's a chance I'll be working in mid-town and my SO will be working in Fairfield. Ideally, we'd like to rent for a year to see how things go in terms of the commute and the area. We could afford around $1700. Preferably a 2-bedroom apt somewhere between Fairfield and the city and close to a train. Any recommendations for a down-to-earth area (middle to upper-middle-class), good schools, safe, etc.? I know CT is incredibly expensive, but any suggestions are appreciated.
If you choose to live in Stamford under this situation, I would feel bad for the person who has to commute to NYC. They'll have a much longer commute than the person going to Fairfield will. Trains take a long time (waiting, walking, stopping, etc.), despite people advocating them. And the Metro North isn't that reliable, either.
If you choose to live in Stamford under this situation, I would feel bad for the person who has to commute to NYC. They'll have a much longer commute than the person going to Fairfield will. Trains take a long time (waiting, walking, stopping, etc.), despite people advocating them. And the Metro North isn't that reliable, either.
I agree with you that the train is a hassle and it's definitely not for me, however almost 300,000 people ride Metro North daily (busiest commuter rail in the nation), and it's very, very reliable. The trains are almost always on time, and if they're late, it's usually only by 10 minutes - and even on those days, it's usually snowing which means it would take you much longer to drive.
Stamford to NYC on the train isn't really that bad. At least it's somewhat predictable, compared to any car commute on 95 in FFC, where even a reverse commute is routinely hellish. And you can get work done, read, or relax on the train. That said, your budget is way low for a decent 2-bedroom in Stamford close to the train. Norwalk might be a better bet. Or revising aspirations downward to a one-bedroom.
Stamford to NYC on the train isn't really that bad. At least it's somewhat predictable, compared to any car commute on 95 in FFC, where even a reverse commute is routinely hellish. And you can get work done, read, or relax on the train. That said, your budget is way low for a decent 2-bedroom in Stamford close to the train. Norwalk might be a better bet. Or revising aspirations downward to a one-bedroom.
I'm sorry, but commuting from Stamford to NYC by train sounds like the most hassle-tacular commute possible in the U.S. The commute goes like this:
(1) Drive to the station and find parking.
(2) Wait for the train to arrive, in the frigid weather.
(3) Ride the train for a while, with one or more stops along the way.
(4) Walk out of the train and navigate your way out to the street or shuttle in Gran Central.
(5) Walk for up to 10 minutes in the freezing cold.
I'm sorry, but commuting from Stamford to NYC by train sounds like the most hassle-tacular commute possible in the U.S. The commute goes like this:
(1) Drive to the station and find parking. 10 min.
(2) Wait for the train to arrive, in the frigid weather. 5 min.
(3) Ride the train for a while, with one or more stops along the way. 50 min.
(4) Walk out of the train and navigate your way out to the street or shuttle in Gran Central. 3 min.
(5) Walk for up to 10 minutes in the freezing cold. 10 min.
vs.
(1) Drive from home to work and find parking. 2 hr. with traffic.
I'm sorry, but commuting from Stamford to NYC by train sounds like the most hassle-tacular commute possible in the U.S. The commute goes like this:
(1) Drive to the station and find parking.
(2) Wait for the train to arrive, in the frigid weather.
(3) Ride the train for a while, with one or more stops along the way.
(4) Walk out of the train and navigate your way out to the street or shuttle in Gran Central.
(5) Walk for up to 10 minutes in the freezing cold.
vs.
(1) Drive from home to work and find parking.
I'm pretty sure the most "hassle-tacular" commutes in the U.S. are the ones where you sit in stop and go traffic for hours to travel a relatively short distance with nothing but the radio to entertain you, no reliable way to predict your travel time, while wasting hours and hours of your time accomplishing nothing.
Commutes all suck. Train commutes included. But generally, they suck less than driving, at least in FFC. My friend was reverse commuting by car from Stamford to New Haven recently and literally went on anti-anxiety medication because the commute was killing her.
I've taken Metro North at least once a week for the last 6 months and it's consistently late, even on good weather days. It used to be more reliable. Usually it's 6-12 minutes behind when it is late. Thursday was one of the first times it was on time for me both ways.
There is no way it is 78 minutes door to door from Stamford. I make it to 51st and Park in under 80 every day!
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