Where to live in Bucks County - Commuting to NYC and Philly (Philadelphia: rent)

[RonSantoRules]

Hey folks, I've read through many/most of all the threads concerning this topic, but most of them seemed a few years old and I wanted to see if there was anyone with different or more updated advice.

My fiance and I are moving to Bucks County area at the end of the month because it is the midpoint of where we each work. My wife will be working in Philadelphia (north philly) and I will be working in NYC (not an ideal living and commuting situation, but it is the best we can do at this point). She will be driving in to work each day (so proximity to 95 is key), and I'll be taking NJ Transit to Penn Station (so ability to get to Trenton or Hamilton train station is key).

Where is the best place to live in Bucks to make this commute for both of us? I have been looking at Yardley and Morrisville, and am considering looking in NJ near the train stations too (but I've never been to that area so have no idea what sucks, what is safe, etc.). How far away from the Trenton or Hamilton stations is it feasible to be without making it more than a 2HR each way commute to NYC and keep the drive to under an hour to Philly?

We're both late 20's, no kids, rent budget $1200-$1400 per month for 1BR or 2BR.

Any thoughts on places that will make the commute as painless as it can be and that would also be a good spot for a recently married couple? Should we just live in Philly and have me commute via Amtrak to NYC instead?

[Angus215]

yardley and newtown would be good. i assume you'll be going early enough in the morning where traffic really won't be a concern. the amtrak from trenton to NYC is about an hr so just add time to the trenton train station (and time to office from penn station) to that. if you take NJ transit, it will be significantly cheaper but significantly slower as well.

you could also look at areas like hamilton square and upper freehold and lawrenceville in NJ. since you're working in NY, you will have the priviledge of paying 7% NY state income tax regardles off which state you live in.

[Just1Lion]

might also want to consider Hamilton NJ. train station is right there straight to NYC. probably 45 mins to north philly by car.

[RonSantoRules]

Thanks for the info. I know I'm going to get effed on taxes, but such is life.

I'm also looking at living near Bensalem and the Cornwell Heights Amtrak station and just taking that in to Manhattan each day (only 65 mins each way, cheaper to live in that area and don't have to drive into NJ to take NJ Transit). Although that Amtrak pass ain't cheap ...