NYC Commute: Marlboro vs N Manalapan vs S Manalapan (Jersey City: house, transfer)

[craiggar]

I work in NYC a few days a week and I am contemplating a move to either Marlboro or Manalapan. I love the homes in southern Manalapan but I initially did not consider it b/c of the commute. But after looking into the area a bit more I am thinking about the potential of driving from Southern Manalapan to the park n ride near exit 8a of the turnpike. Is that a better option than driving up to route 9 to catch a bus? Driving to the 8a park n ride seems like 30 minutes and then an hour on the bus. If I live in Marlboro the commute is probably 15 minutes to the train and then an hour on the train. Northern Manalapan seems to be 10 minute trip to a bus stop and then 1 hr 10 minutes on the bus. I'm assuming I'd be able to find a parking spot. But assuming I can find a spot, is it fairly accurate to say it will take 1 hr 30 mins from Southern Manalapan, 1 hr 20 mins from Northern Manalapan and 1 hr 15 minutes from Marlboro?

Thanks! The info on this site is really great!

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by craiggar

I work in NYC a few days a week and I am contemplating a move to either Marlboro or Manalapan. I love the homes in southern Manalapan but I initially did not consider it b/c of the commute. But after looking into the area a bit more I am thinking about the potential of driving from Southern Manalapan to the park n ride near exit 8a of the turnpike. Is that a better option than driving up to route 9 to catch a bus? Driving to the 8a park n ride seems like 30 minutes and then an hour on the bus. If I live in Marlboro the commute is probably 15 minutes to the train and then an hour on the train. Northern Manalapan seems to be 10 minute trip to a bus stop and then 1 hr 10 minutes on the bus. I'm assuming I'd be able to find a parking spot. But assuming I can find a spot, is it fairly accurate to say it will take 1 hr 30 mins from Southern Manalapan, 1 hr 20 mins from Northern Manalapan and 1 hr 15 minutes from Marlboro?

Thanks! The info on this site is really great!

You can not count on the bus for the exact time , because of Traffic. Non Rush hour you can make it in 50 min from the Gordon's corner Park and Ride, but its more during Rush. My husband has always gone in Earlier, so avoided the morning rush. In the beginning he found a spot in the pay by the day lot but put himself on a list, and it did not take long to get a spot at Town pointe.
Southern Manalapan is to out of the way, and are you aware that all the homes there have private well and Septic? To me thats like going back to years gone by. To pay all those taxes and not get sewer and public water?
That is why I would not even look at a house there when I lived in NJ.
I moved in 06, so I know this still holds true.

Diane G

[juliann1977]

Originally Posted by craiggar

I work in NYC a few days a week and I am contemplating a move to either Marlboro or Manalapan. I love the homes in southern Manalapan but I initially did not consider it b/c of the commute. But after looking into the area a bit more I am thinking about the potential of driving from Southern Manalapan to the park n ride near exit 8a of the turnpike. Is that a better option than driving up to route 9 to catch a bus? Driving to the 8a park n ride seems like 30 minutes and then an hour on the bus. If I live in Marlboro the commute is probably 15 minutes to the train and then an hour on the train. Northern Manalapan seems to be 10 minute trip to a bus stop and then 1 hr 10 minutes on the bus. I'm assuming I'd be able to find a parking spot. But assuming I can find a spot, is it fairly accurate to say it will take 1 hr 30 mins from Southern Manalapan, 1 hr 20 mins from Northern Manalapan and 1 hr 15 minutes from Marlboro?

Thanks! The info on this site is really great!

Your estimate from Marlboro is correct, assuming the trains are running on schedule. My husband's commute from Morganville to the East side is an hour and thirty minutes, assuming the trains and subways are running properly.

[Mikes Mom]

I live in Northern Manalapan. The commute difference from Southern Manalapan is definitely longer than 10 minutes any way you choose to travel...From Northern Manalapan, you can also drive to the Matawan train station (about 15 minute drive during rush hour) if you choose not to take the bus.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by craiggar

I work in NYC a few days a week and I am contemplating a move to either Marlboro or Manalapan. I love the homes in southern Manalapan but I initially did not consider it b/c of the commute. But after looking into the area a bit more I am thinking about the potential of driving from Southern Manalapan to the park n ride near exit 8a of the turnpike. Is that a better option than driving up to route 9 to catch a bus? Driving to the 8a park n ride seems like 30 minutes and then an hour on the bus. If I live in Marlboro the commute is probably 15 minutes to the train and then an hour on the train. Northern Manalapan seems to be 10 minute trip to a bus stop and then 1 hr 10 minutes on the bus. I'm assuming I'd be able to find a parking spot. But assuming I can find a spot, is it fairly accurate to say it will take 1 hr 30 mins from Southern Manalapan, 1 hr 20 mins from Northern Manalapan and 1 hr 15 minutes from Marlboro?

Thanks! The info on this site is really great!

I'm really skeptical of the commute times that are often posted here. People who actually do these commutes invariably take longer than those who just read the train schedules.

I commute from Jersey City, and it's 40min end to end (most of it is walking).

People who commute from the "inner ring" of towns in Essex County have a good 70 minutes.

When you figure your commute, you need to add in the time from your stop in NY to your office. Also, don't forget to allow for transfers. The total commute is not the sum of time for each leg of the trip.

If you have a 30min drive, and a 1hr bus ride, your commute will be more like 2hrs.

[Thosepeskyfacts]

Originally Posted by elflord1973

I'm really skeptical of the commute times that are often posted here. People who actually do these commutes invariably take longer than those who just read the train schedules.

I commute from Jersey City, and it's 40min end to end (most of it is walking).

People who commute from the "inner ring" of towns in Essex County have a good 70 minutes.

When you figure your commute, you need to add in the time from your stop in NY to your office. Also, don't forget to allow for transfers. The total commute is not the sum of time for each leg of the trip.

If you have a 30min drive, and a 1hr bus ride, your commute will be more like 2hrs.

Precisely. I'm not sure if people post these figures to make themselves feel better or what but they're not based in any kind of reality.

[scrim67]

I live in Knob Hill in Southern Manalapan and we have normal sewer and water. I like living in Southern Manalapan as it gives me an option of taking the TPK at exit 8 OR the route 9 corridor to the GSP for commuting. I have always found taking the TPK option is better for me cause I usually drove and avoided buses.

When I used to take the bus to NYC I did so from twin rivers near exit 8. Parking was no issue at all. The commute to lower manhattan was 1:45-2hrs door to door.

scrim

[practicalposts]

I believe you will get value home in southern manalapan and biggest advantage I see is that you have option to access TNPK exit 8 or 8A.

I live in monroe and by having tnpk easily accessible I can get to any place in NJ within an hour and Manhattan (port authority) door to door within 1 hour 15 minutes.

[charliea]

Sorry to bother you...just a quick question..I recently moved to Manalapan and I have to park in the park and ride on Franklin Lane off Route 9. It says to remember your slot # or whatever they call it, but there isn't any #'s on the ground in each spot like the parking lot next to WaWa, so where is the spot # located if its not on the ground? Sorry, this must sound very stupid to you lol Like I said I'm new to the area so this is all very new to me lol Thank you for your help, I appreciate it!

[JACKIE27]

I was unaware there was a northern and southern manalapan lol, annd I have been here almost 9 years. Look for a home in the Symmes Drive area, it's a main road with a commuter parking lot, very convienent!