Commute from Middlesex to Staten Island (Perth Amboy, Sayreville: house, neighborhood, schools)

[kaybkaybkayb]

Hello All,

I am thinking about opening a business in Staten Island, but am not sure if it would be better to live in NJ or on Staten Island. If I live in NJ, it would probably be in Middlesex county, preferably Woodbridge or Metuchen.

How long is the commute over the bridge to Staten Island? Google says about 20 min from Woodbridge, but i am guessing that is without traffic.

Any nice places in Staten Island for a young couple with children in the future?

Thank you in advance!

[daliowa]

By business, do you mean a store? Or, an office business?

If a store than I'd recommend living as close as possible to your business. Store owners work killer hours.

If it's a business office & you'll be working something akin to "business hours" than you might think about living a little bit away.

It really depends on what kind of business & the hours involved.

Also, are there tax implications in owning a business in NY & living in NJ? I don't know myself, but just a thought.

[jobaba]

It would depend some on your exact commute, but in my experience the trek to Staten Island from NJ through Outerbridge/440 or Goethals/278 is one of the worst commutes I have experienced.

Worse than GW/Cross Bronx, worse than 287 to NJ Turnpike, worse than 80E in the morning.

Better than Belt Parkway and better than commuting though Manhattan (whomever would be dumb enough to do that on a daily basis).

[NYtoNJtoPA]

Originally Posted by kaybkaybkayb

Hello All,

I am thinking about opening a business in Staten Island, but am not sure if it would be better to live in NJ or on Staten Island. If I live in NJ, it would probably be in Middlesex county, preferably Woodbridge or Metuchen.

How long is the commute over the bridge to Staten Island? Google says about 20 min from Woodbridge, but i am guessing that is without traffic.

Any nice places in Staten Island for a young couple with children in the future?

Thank you in advance!

Metuchen is a great area, but very expensive. Woodbridge is huge, so it will depend on the area. Colonia is the most costly part but the only real undesirable areas are the parts near the Perth Amboy and Rahway borders. 440 brings you to the Outerbridge, but the toll will make your head explode, what is it $14 now? I know in some cases you will get a discount if you have EZ pass, but not exactly sure how that works.

As far as living conditions goes, I don't know what you are looking for exactly. You really can't go wrong with Middlesex County as far as schools go, except the place where we initially settled 25 years ago (Sayreville - and this town has REALLY taken a beating), but for a nice house in a quiet neighborhood, prepare to pay at least $350K and that's for older homes. Taxes will be on either side of 10K. On Staten Island, city taxes cover the schools which is why your property taxes are typically less than 1/2 that. Still, I lived in both places and honestly see no good reason for living on Staten Island, IMO it is the poorest excuse for a part of NYC out of the five boroughs.