NYC and Commuting- PLease HELP! (New York, Brunswick: schools, living in, train)

[katerinaver]

I am planning to relocate to NY, possibly NYC or Brooklyn and need some guidance from New Yorkers or simply people who are familiar with commuting there.

I will actually be commuting to New Brunswick, NJ for school and I understand that this is not an ideal commute however my boyfriend will be working in the NY area so we are looking at NY areas.

We would love to live in Manhattan, however it is quiet expensive, so I need valuable advise as far as commuting goes.

We have found affordable listings in mainly the Upper west side, and the upper east side, however I am wondering if we live in the upper east side 70th-95th how long it will actually take to get to Penn station to take the train to NJ?

Also if we settle somewhere in Brooklyn, close to NYC (Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Crown Heights) is the commute feasible to NJ. Is it better by car or train (through Penn Station)?

I know Jersey city or Hoboken might also be an option (although we are not that interested in those areas, we might consider them.

Schools are also an important factor since we have a child (el. school).
I've read some bad things regarding this as far as Jersey City is concerned...so would appreciate any input.

I know a lot of people would recommend to live in NJ but we are really not interested in that.

Please help with any commuting advise you can!
Thanks!

[checkmatechamp13]

I'd say the West Side IRT is fairly reliable, and the trains are pretty fast. From 96th Street down to 34th Street takes around 10 minutes on a (2) or (3) express train, assuming no delays. But I wouldn't take anything on the UES, because then you have to make your way crosstown.

Just so you know, Brooklyn is in NYC. In any case, the commute generally wouldn't be too bad to reach Penn Station either, though it wouldn't be quite as easy as the UWS. A shortcut (that might not save you time, but it's worth a try) is to take the train into Lower Manhattan and then take the PATH. It would only save you 10-15 minutes at most, though.

[crescent22]

You might get away with living in the 60s east side, take the F to 34 St./6th Ave and be one long block from Penn Station. The new school there PS267 is getting good reviews although it's too new to have standardized scores. The other one PS183 has fine scores, a touch below those on the UWS schools, which are a touch below the ones on the core Upper East (70-95)

[katerinaver]

Thanks! This really does help a lot!
If anybody else has input on this feel free to post!

[4Florida2]

Iam in Brooklyn heights train 2 or 3 will get you to manhattan
Dumbo is nearby and its really nice and i see a lot of families around there.

[katerinaver]

So, 4Florida2- is it a relatively quick ride into Manhattan Penn station area?