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Are you talking the Chicago area (like how northern NJ, where South Plainfield is, is basically all the NYC area) or Chicago city proper? That's important to know IMO.
I am surely going to the main city. If I get the Chicago suburb office, i will chose NJ. I am big city rat!!! Suburbs dont work for me!
So the offices available are both in suburbs? Chicago suburbs and NYC suburbs (South Plainfield, NJ)? And you want to move to either Chicago city proper and commute out of the city into the suburban office or move to NJ and commute from a NJ town/city to the SP, NJ office? Am I getting this right?
If so, for NJ then I would suggest Jersey City. I would suggest NYC if it weren't so expensive and annoying to commute to and from. It seems you want a city to live in, while the office will be in an outer suburb or smaller city.
Just my two cents -- I used to live in the Ironbound neighborhood of New Jersey, and I used to commute to the South Plainfield area. Commute isn't too bad, but you'll likely be dependent on your car. From what I remember, it was about a 45-minute drive from Newark to South Plainfield.
Street parking in the Ironbound is awful. However, there are some residences that have garages, and there are several parking lots that range maybe ~$160 a month for 24 hour parking pass.
The nice thing about the Ironbound is that you can take the PATH train into Manhattan at a much cheaper fare than NJ Transit. It'll take maybe 25 minutes on PATH to get to World Trade Center, if there aren't any delays. However, life in Newark (even the Ironbound) isn't for everyone.
If you choose NJ, New Brunswick may be a better choice for you. It's suburban, but has a college town feel because of Rutgers. An NJ Transit train goes regularly into NYC from the New Brunswick train station, but it won't be as cheap or as quick as the PATH.
Ooops. I should have been a little bit more specific. Chicago has two offices, city and suburb. New Jersey is just South Plainfield.
If my boss offers me Chicago suburb office and NJ, I go to NJ. The dilemma will be if my boss says take your pick between the two cities (lots of convincing to be done here).
But that was a good info. Thanks! Also there is the urge to rack up the city count. This would be my 8th! Just have to live in a city that displays north US at its best. Then off to some other place!
I am going to bet that New Jersey is more expensive. However its climate is more moderate than Chicago. Chicago is an upper Midwest city (its so far north its almost Wisconsin), which means it is much colder than the northeast. However I like Chicago better, it has a stunning lakefront and skyline. Also the Midwest culture is far more laid back and relaxed. New Jersey (I am guessing your talking about northern new jersey) is basically suburban New York City. All the pros and cons of being part of the "city that never sleeps" apply. The fast pace of life, more aggressive people and of course the culture and amenities of a place like that. I am sure they have more urban amenities than even Chicago does. After all its the largest most important city in the United States. The big "con" in my opinion would be cost. I hear they have great food up in the northeast however, all the people I talk to that come from there talk about their food.
if you like cities, move to New Brunswick, NJ. it's close to south plainfield. and it feels like a city of over 200,000 even though it only has 57,000 people. this is because of rutgers university, as well as many large corporations with offices downtown. johnson and johnson has their headquarters in New Brunswick. they continue to build high rise apartments that are close to 'skyscraper' criteria.
Location: Pittsburgh (via Chicago, via Pittsburgh)
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Originally Posted by gottaq
if you like cities, move to New Brunswick, NJ. it's close to south plainfield. and it feels like a city of over 200,000 even though it only has 57,000 people. this is because of rutgers university, as well as many large corporations with offices downtown. johnson and johnson has their headquarters in New Brunswick. they continue to build high rise apartments that are close to 'skyscraper' criteria.
If the OP like's cities...wouldn't Chicago, with 2.7 million in the city limits, be a better option than New Brunswick, with 57,000 people.... just a thought. COL may be cheaper in Chicago too.
^Yeah, I'd definitely go with Chicago. OP may be surprised just how little they actually get into NYC if they are living and working in NJ-of course it is a quick and easy commute into the city but once life kicks into gear you may just not find the time. I think living where you want should be the most important thing-and if you have a quick commute to work from there it makes it all the better.
I do know people that live in NYC and commute into NJ for work, but that commute is just awful unless you are right on the PATH.
I was swaying towards Chicago because of the lakefront. But thanks for the inputs guys. It was an good preview of the two cities!
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