Help, moving from Dallas to NYC (home, transfer to, living in)

[Dorlyusa]

My husband got a new job in West Long Branch, NJ. I work for Big-4 accounting firms and will need to transfer to the Manhattan office. His job is pretty flexible, but mine requires late nights sometimes, where in between west long branch, NJ and Manhattan can we live? Preferably in NJ, max. commute 1hr to Manhattan.

I dont want to drive to work coz parking is expensive in Manhattan, so the location need to nearby train or ferry.

We will be moving from Dallas to NJ. Is it save to ride the train/ferry at night? What about walking to the World trade center station at night, is it safe?

Thanks!!!

[jeffcon0]

I cannot speak specifically about any of the areas between Long Branch and Manhattan but from looking at Google maps it seems you will easily be able to be along a NJ transit route which will take you to Penn Station within an hour. From there you could take the E subway to the world trade center stop.

It's a bit of a tangent but I find Penn Station to be absolutely hellish during the rush hour and it is enough to make me not even consider living in NJ or Long Island. I'm a tall guy and literally have 4 inches of clearance at some parts of Penn Station. Take a trip through there at rush hour and you will see what I mean. Ok, done with tangent now...

You may have an express bus option available to you if you are a bit closer to Manhattan and everyone I know who has that option uses it instead of taking NJ Transit. I think you will feel completely safe taking transit at any time from that area whether it is subway, bus, or commuter rail. The perils of the NYC subway system are grossly overstated. You'll understand that as soon as you ride it to and from work for a few weeks. In fact, when I worry about my girlfriend getting home at night I feel the safest part of her commute is when she is in the subway. Be aware I am talking about late night here (midnight or later) and not "it was a long day at the office" late.

The financial district is a little bit desolate by NY standards after work hours but if you fall anywhere within even the late commute (say 7 to 8) hours you will probably see as many people as you would in downtown Dallas at peak hours. In short, you will be completely safe.

Again, I don't know much about specific towns in NJ but i think you will find that MANY middle class people who work in NY live in NJ so there has to be plenty of nice areas.

Best of luck to you on your move!

[Viralmd]

Another good reason to take the express bus: many train stations have no avialable parking (at least not without a 3 year+ wait)....