For people that work outside the city and commute downtown, or even that have a good knowledge of the best way to work this, where would you recommend living?

I don't want to commute an hour to work every day (maybe 30, even 40 minutes), so I guess that would depend on where I'm working downtown, but I would need to be pretty close to the edge of the city to accomplish this, no?

I'll explain my situation - I'm originally from Upstate (just outside of Buffalo), I've lived in Toronto, and I'm currently working (I wouldn't call this living) in NE PA, about 2 hours from NYC.

I'm tendering offers for new contracts (IT, primarily technical writing, but not limited to), but I won't really start trying to make one work until May or June. I'm trying to get downtown, but I'll even take one that's a 30 minute drive from the city. However, if things do workout that I get a contract downtown, I don't think I'll want to live right downtown.

Hopefully I could get some of your input on where is a good place to live, as I'm not entirely familiar with Brookyln/Queens/Bronx, and the areas within them that I should avoid. I just don't want to worry about getting my ride jacked on a nightly basis, but I also don't want to break my bank every month for a one-room shack. I would like to be around $1000 monthly (inclusive), although I don't know what options that would afford me.

I love the city, and downtown would be great if it was sensible to have a vehicle there, but I just don't see that as being the case. If you can't give me a good recommendation and where to live, where not to live and why would be very helpful!

Thanks for your time everyone

Park Slope, Brooklyn is the best place, if u ask me...most Manhattanitites (sp?) moved out and Manhattan is now filled with new jacks.

Then there is Astoria, in Queens, which is nice...primarily a Greek area but good food, safe and cheap.

I moved to CT...but to be honest CT is almost as expensive as Manhattan.

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^^^ Queens is no where near Downtown nor is CT. Brooklyn is good but to find a place (all included) for $1,000 in park slope most likely isn't going to happen, you pay for how close you are to the city. Although most don't think about it Staten Island is good for Downtown, the ferry drops you off right there and tons of subways or you could walk, the ferry ride is free and about 25 minutes, or you can drive across the bridge but wioth traffic it will be long but good for coming into the city on the weekends. The other ideas are to look in NJ, the PATH is right downtown by WTC and taked you into NJ, to Hoboken and Jersey City and that's only about a 20 minute ride at the most to get to each. You will also be able to get more there...so check Brooklyn, Staten Island and NJ. Queens and the Bronx WAY TOO FAR.

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Is there a particular reason you want to drive to work? I mean all the bridges/tunnels downtown are like $4 and you're gonna have to pay craploads for parking. Not only will you be spending lots of cash but you'll be wasting tons of time since it's always much slower to drive during rush hour than it is to take the subway. If you were to drive I wouldn't be surprised if your toll, gas, and parking bill came to $400/month...

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mmmm.. delicious...

Ahhhh...I wouldn't be driving into the city. If I get a contract in Manhattan, no matter where I'm living, I'll grab the subway to work.

I just don't want to live downtown, where it would cost a fortune to park my ride and it wouldn't get used very often.

Thanks for your input everyone, the more the better.

My 2 cents based on your criteria:

* Wants to live in NYC but not pay manhattan prices
* Very easy commute to downtown
* Nice cool neighborhood with stuff to do and young people

Here are my picks. I think you can find a studio in all these places for $800 / mo.

Grove Street - Jersey City - You're on the PATH to manhattan which 24 hours - very convenient.

Long Island City - 21st Street Queens bridge or 23 Street Ely Subway stations.

Queens - Sunnyside - 33rd or 40st stations off 7 train

Brooklyn - Fort Greene or Park Slope - Park Slope is very family, next to Prospect Park (like living next to Central Park but in Brooklyn ) and is a quiet neighborhood compared to the others. If you want quiet, you may like it here.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by tiesto14 Manhattan is now filled with new jacks.

what about those that have been living here and are still living here? i'm going on 5yrs maybe that makes me a NEW JACK!

NEW JACK CITY BITCHES

watch yo back you gonna get twisted from my heat like BLA-BLAAAOOOWW then my heat gonna run empty and go cla-click pwned!

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quote:

Originally posted by kid nyce what about those that have been living here and are still living here? i'm going on 5yrs maybe that makes me a NEW JACK! NEW JACK CITY BITCHES watch yo back you gonna get twisted from my heat like BLA-BLAAAOOOWW then my heat gonna run empty and go cla-click pwned!

LMFAO...way to keep it real

avikonen - thanks! when you refer to studio, are we talking 12x24 here? i used to have one - i guess it might be a super studio - but it did have a kitchen off the main room, and a bathroom off of the kitchen, and also a porch converted into a non-insulated room i used for storage.

but i'd imagine for 800 it's pretty small. i'd probably go as high as 1200. who knows, i might even find a potential roommate by then, and that would make numbers fit in easier.

i'm ok with "suburbs quiet", though i really like the city, but i'd have to come with a compromise on my own. my vehicle plays into that a bit. i recently started a 3-year lease, so i don't want that to go to waste. i'm ok with taking a subway into the city and only driving around on the weekends (when necessary).

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalMP LMFAO...way to keep it real

lol - ok seriously, the slope is great, williamsburg is nice as well, maybe even JC and take the path in. There are plenty of "outside-the-city" locations that access downtown manhattan within minutes via subway. most places you'll even be able to keep your car with you as living in the suburbs is not as bad carwise versus city life. Although I do miss having my own car and driving around, the city life gets kinda blahzhay even though its ultra convenient when you're hammered and you got to get home.

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checkout New Jersery

Jersey city, Newport, Newark are only a hop skip jump and away from downtown...

Hoboken too..

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quote:

Originally posted by DigitalMP LMFAO...way to keep it real avikonen - thanks! when you refer to studio, are we talking 12x24 here? i used to have one - i guess it might be a super studio - but it did have a kitchen off the main room, and a bathroom off of the kitchen, and also a porch converted into a non-insulated room i used for storage. but i'd imagine for 800 it's pretty small. i'd probably go as high as 1200. who knows, i might even find a potential roommate by then, and that would make numbers fit in easier. i'm ok with "suburbs quiet", though i really like the city, but i'd have to come with a compromise on my own. my vehicle plays into that a bit. i recently started a 3-year lease, so i don't want that to go to waste. i'm ok with taking a subway into the city and only driving around on the weekends (when necessary).

after looking for a place in the city this past weekend - i don't even want to know what you get for $800 - $1200

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with a room-mate you can get a decent place for $2000-2400 in Hoboken.

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