Living in Philadelphia (probably City Center), commuting to New Brunswick (Westmont: home, university)

[univ0681]

Hi,

We are a dual career couple, currently with no kids. As of now, we live in central/northern NJ (Montclair area), so as to split our dual commutes: one of us takes the train to NYC, the other drives to New Brunswick.

One of us (the one currently working in NYC) now has a very good job offer in Philly. We are considering moving there. Can people here chime in on what the commute from Philly to New Brunswick would be like? Especially if driving? I can work from home days a week during the academic year (so I'd only be driving 3 days a week), and can work from home a bit more during the summers (so I'd only be driving once or twice a week).

The train option sadly seems less attractive, since my office in New Brunswick is a good 20-30 min walk from the train station in New Brunswick.

Thanks for your feedback.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by univ0681

The train option sadly seems less attractive, since my office in New Brunswick is a good 20-30 min walk from the train station in New Brunswick.

The Amtrak station in New Brunswick, NJ (NBK) French and Albany Streets New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The Jersey Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08901 is NJ Transit only. The NJTRANSIT trains stop at Trenton and do not go into Philadelphia. Only the NJTRANSIT trains that go to Southern New Jersey come into the 30th street station.

I am assuming that the spouse who works in Philadelphia will walk or take public transit to work.

I would urge you to re-examine the train option. In many cases the cost of keeping a car in Center City is prohibitive. Unfortunately you have to get to Trenton to start your commute.

[RightonWalnut]

First off, welcome to Philadelphia!

Center City to New Brunswick will certainly be a decently long commute, but there is no better place for kid-less couples than Center City.

The commute seems like it will be slightly over an hour if you drive, which isn't terrible, and you shouldn't hit much traffic reverse commuting out of Philadelphia. Since you will only be going a few time a week (3 I think you said?), I think it would be easily manageable.

I think driving will likely be MUCH less stressful and will likely be quicker. You could also drive to Trenton, than take the train from there, but that will also likely be longer than driving.

If I were you, I would find a highrise in Center City with a parking garage and drive to work the few days during the week you said you would have to.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

I would urge you to re-examine the train option. In many cases the cost of keeping a car in Center City is prohibitive. Unfortunately you have to get to Trenton to start your commute.

I am going to rescind my suggestion. The Amtrak trains only stop in New Brunswick at night, and the NJTransit train only go as far as Trenton. The mass transit to Trenton is nearly an hour one way.

There doesn't seem to be anything practical besides driving. Select your home so it is convenient via mass transit for the Philadelphia spouse, and suck it up on the parking space and other driving expenses.

[drive carephilly]

If you're traveling off-peak the trip should be around an hour by car. During the peak it would probably be more like 90 minutes. As soon as you get to Bucks Co. you'll start catching up with the traffic headed north.

If you want to be in the city your commute would be best served by living close to I-95/the bridges. Fishtown/Northern Liberties would probably be your best bet as it would put you close to I-95, on the northern end of Center City and close to the bridges to NJ in case 95 is backed up. It also has good transit connections to Center City/University City for your lady.

You also might want to consider South Jersey - which would keep the City of Philadelphia from taking 3.9% of your paycheck. If you live in South Jersey and work in the city you pay 3.5% in taxes to the City - which can be written off against your state taxes at the end of the year. If you both live in Philly then you both give up 3.9% of your check and you can't write it off.

Collingswood/Westmont/Haddonfield would put you in between Philly and 295/the Turnpike and those towns all have stations along the PATCO route - which is the South Jersey version of the PATH train. For your purposes it might save you 10 minutes on your commute to New Brunswick vs. living in Philadelphia.