Bus transfer Lexington and 125th street in east Harlem (New York: apartment, transfer to)

[Sara246810]

Hi everyone,

I am considering a job that would require me to transfer to the M35 Bus on the northwest corner of lexington and 125th street. I know this is not a good area, but I'm wondering whether a bus transfer there would be really unsafe. Is there a strong police presence? Do you think I'd have problems while waiting for the bus? Any help is appreciated. TIA.

[JeRrYcRaCk]

Originally Posted by Sara246810

Hi everyone,

I am considering a job that would require me to transfer to the M35 Bus on the northwest corner of lexington and 125th street. I know this is not a good area, but I'm wondering whether a bus transfer there would be really unsafe. Is there a strong police presence? Do you think I'd have problems while waiting for the bus? Any help is appreciated. TIA.

you will survive

[kandle]

That is a really busy area, you'll be fine. There are a lot of vagrants there and it's not aesthetically pleasing but no one will pay you any attention if you mind your own business. I go to the pathmark there all the time and I'm never bothered.

[crescent22]

No, the area of Lex/125 is fine and well-lit.

However, your problem is the M35. The M35 bus is the homeless bus.

The route exists more or less to transport homeless people to various shelters on Wards' Island.

I rode it once to get to the tennis center on Randall's Island. The bus smelled; most fellow riders appeared some combination of homeless, smelly, drunk, or high.

I assume you are considering a job somewhere on Randall's or Ward's Island. You will absolutely not want to take this bus as your daily commute. Unless you can bike or drive there, I don't see any other way on public transit.

You may want to read this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/ny...ty/06home.html

[RageX]

You'll likely be fine but 125th and Lex is about the most ghetto intersection on Manhattan.

If I were you I wouldn't carry anything I care about losing (or can easily replace or cancel like bank cards etc...).

If you over 6'2" and look 215< lbs. it won't realy matter.

[Sara246810]

Thanks everyone for your replies! It sounds like the M35 bus is not a great option for a daily commute.

I haven't spent a lot of time in New York but I have heard driving there is very difficult so I wasn't considering a driving commute. However, if I did decide to drive to work (the job would be on Wards island), how bad would the drive be from Manhattan? We are considering living in Greenwich village but are open to other areas if they would be an easier commute.

[crescent22]

It's not a bad drive from the Village, per se, maybe 25 minutes, but the usual problem is finding parking and paying for it.

If it's just about convenience and driving, I would live in Astoria- it would be a 5-10 minute drive on the RFK/Triborough Bridge to work, but I assume you would have to pay the $4.80 toll both ways.

[Sara246810]

Thank you so much! This has been really helpful. One final question... sorry if this is a silly question. Parking is free at the job, and they reimburse bridge tolls, so I would just have to pay for parking at my apartment. Is it difficult to find apartment buildings with attached or closeby parking garages in the Village and/or in Astoria? I know parking is very expensive, but I'm just curious whether it is difficult to find. Thank you!

[UES Single Mom]

I think you would have a better chance of finding street parking in Astoria and than you would have in the village... it can be difficult to find apartment building with attached parking in the city and parking garages around the city can be very pricey. i would stick with astoria

[crescent22]

> Is it difficult to find apartment buildings with attached or closeby parking garages in the Village and/or in Astoria?

I would say no. You may have to walk a block or two in the Village- attached parking buildings will be extremely difficult to find. Astoria I would guess there are lots you can pay for if the streets are always filled.