LIRR Commuters

For those that work in NYC and commute via LIRR how do you feel about your commute?

I presently work in Nassau have a very short car ride to work, but I might have an opportunity for a new career, more money (about 10-15k more) but it will be working on 5th avenue 53rd street.

Trying to figure out if I am going to hate the commute.

All opinions welcomed.

Thank you.

Re: LIRR Commuters

Years ago I did that commute (Western Nassau to Park/55th). It was about an hour door to door. This was in 2006. I didn't have delays like there are now. Parking at the station I used was much easier back then (now they changed the non-residents parking area).

I would never do it again.
The cost, the hassle, the delays, the LIRR itself ( ) . No thank you.

Figure out the cost of transportation for a year and see if it's even worth it for you.

Re: LIRR Commuters

I commuted to NYC from LI for several years. In my field, there are very few opportunities on LI, especially at the salary I want to be at. Then 2 years ago I got an offer to work on LI, which was obviously very convenient.

I didn't love driving to work, hated the location of my job, and did not like the job or the people. It took me a year to get used to being on LI, but I always had an itch to get back to the city. I recently started a new job and commuting to the city again and I am much happier. BUT, I work 3.5 blocks from Penn Station so I don't have to deal with the subway.

I like the downtime on the train and usually read. I ride in the AM with my husband and our children are in daycare walking distance to the train station. I like the "hustle and bustle" of the city for work (but not to live or raise a family) so it's a nice mix.

The cons are that I'm farther from my children if there's an emergency and I'm at the mercy of the LIRR's delays. And there are obviously additional expenses with commuting (though less gas and wear and tear on your car).

It's a very personal decision and definite pros and cons to each. Some questions I'd ask you: Do you like your current job? Do you have children? Do you have other opportunities for a job on LI where you can make more money? Can you use the NYC job offer to negotiate a higher salary on LI? Have you ever commuted into the city?

LIRR Commuters

I drive from Long Island to Queens and I hate it. My sister commutes via LIRR and says its a nightmare.

LIRR Commuters

I commuted to the east side for a few years (further east than you, I was practically in the river). I would never do it again. And I used to love my job.

Re: LIRR Commuters

LIRR Commuters

Communing sucks! For $10,000 it is not worth it especially when you factor in the cost of the trains and that you can never plan anything during the week because you are the mercy of the trains.

I commuted from mid Suffolk to Tribeca and Wall Street for 16 years. It was awful and I ended up getting a small studio in the city to stay in for the week because it was too much going back and forth with my hours. That being said, my salary was easily $50,000 more in the city than on LI so i dealt with it.

Re: LIRR Commuters

Re: LIRR Commuters

Commuting sucks, no matter what.

I used to take the express bus from Queens into Manhattan, got tired of the 2 hour each way commute and switched to the LIRR. It's about 1 hour door to door - I work in midtown across from Grand Central, so I have to either walk or take 2 subways.
I'm fortunate to be on the Port Washington line, but when that one gets screwed up, I have no choice but to take the bus.

LIRR Commuters

I think it is all relative. I actually prefer the LIRR to driving, in traffic. People complain left and right but really there arent that many delays overall. For the most part you know exactly when your train is coming and when it is getting into the station. When driving that is always up in the air. I have a short LIRR commute (35 mins) so maybe that is why I do not mind it. I always get a seat, it is comfortable, and the people are generally normal and civil. This is coming from someone who took a 60 min subway ride to work for 7 years and hated every single minute of it. That was gross, crowded, and uncomfortable. So when comparing that to the LIRR im in heaven. Good luck!

LIRR Commuters

I would be taking the train from Hicksville to Penn. My son will be in college so that is not a factor. I am just not sure if this stage of my life I want to start commuting. I am trying to look at the positives and not so much of the negative. I really do appreciate everyone's opinions.

Message edited 11/21/2017 1:55:49 PM.

Re: LIRR Commuters

5th and 53rd is a short ride on the E train uptown from Penn - maybe 10 min ride.

I have been commuting from Nassau to NYC on the LIRR for about 14 years and yes, it does have its awful days, and yes we all like to make fun of it and complain.. but honestly, i'd take the train over driving any day.
I get to read, catch up on tv, de-stress, even sleep before i get home. I don't have to worry about parking, extra wear and tear, gas etc for my car.
Yes, it stinks paying $412 a month for the ticket and monthly subway pass but all in all, i get from place A to place B pretty regularly.
Even this summer's 'summer of hell' wasn't that bad!

The only negative that i see to working in the city vs LI for me is that i'm not near my child if something happens. I'm an hour away whenever there is any sort of situation (he's sick, emergency at home, train delays etc). But if you have a support system at home that can help in those times, then you'll be ok

LIRR Commuters

I worked in the city for a short time and there is a part of me that misses it. For me (always running late) the worst part of my day was the drive to the train station in the morning (which was only 3 minutes away lol!). I used the train time to read and now I miss having that "forced" down time. I also like the city "vibe" and miss that sometimes too.

I am not sure that $10K - $15K is enough to cover the time and expense, but if it's a job that you think you'll love, that in and of itself could make it worth it. Good luck!

Re: LIRR Commuters

I guess it depends on the line/time. I'm new-ish to LI (from Queens) and I don't always use the LIRR, but there's never really delays on my line- unless it's one of those off days when everything is just effed up. I work in Grand Central and take the train into Hunterspoint in LIC. Then I hop on the 7 train from there. I unfortunately have to switch at Jamaica but it's always an easy transfer- right across the platform, often times my connection is there waiting for me or a minute or two away.

When I don't use the LIRR, I drive into Queens with DH and take the express bus from there. And it makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Not the express bus, that's glorious, but the drive in. UGH. There's so much traffic and we take the most convoluted side roads (thanks Waze!) and it still takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes, when it should take 30 minutes tops.

ETA: But my gripe with the LIRR and the main reason I don't take it all the time, is the cost. It's insane. And to have to pay for a metrocard on top of it? I'm not sure the cost is worth what you're getting.

Message edited 11/21/2017 2:44:53 PM.

LIRR Commuters

I commuted for almost 8 years to grand central area. I didn’t mind at all. I used the train time to read or catch up on tv shows. I now work 8 mins from my house and miss the city a lot.

LIRR Commuters

I've been commuting to the city for 10 years (Rockefeller Center area). While it sucks when there are problems, commuting doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I find that I can run a lot of errands on my lunch hour.

LIRR Commuters

Thanks everyone for their replies, I really appreciate it.

LIRR Commuters

I took LIRR from Hicksville to Jamaica for about 2 yrs.( i know not NYC) It wasnt bad, worst was trying to find parking at the station. This was a first for me I always drove and worked on LI. LIRR was better than driving. If I drove it would take over an hour, by train 20-30 min. I just accepted a job on LI again. For my job $$ can be made even if I went to Brooklyn, but right now I dont want that type of travel. LIRR cost goes up often.

Cost of your ticket prob about $300 a month but most companies offer transit checks, the money comes out of your check pre-tax

Message edited 11/21/2017 5:38:49 PM.

Re: LIRR Commuters

Definitely depends which line you’re on. My DH commutes but his train is 35 minutes and isn’t much further once he gets in.

Re: LIRR Commuters

Posted by Momma2015

When I don't use the LIRR, I drive into Queens with DH and take the express bus from there. And it makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Not the express bus, that's glorious, but the drive in. UGH. There's so much traffic and we take the most convoluted side roads (thanks Waze!) and it still takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes, when it should take 30 minutes tops.

LIRR Commuters

I've been commuting into the city for 17 years and I work on the UWS. I much prefer the LIRR to driving. But I despise driving. I'm on the Babylon line and there really are few delays. The problem is when there is a delay it is a major F*UCK up to the system. So when it's running, it runs great. But know that there will be days when there are issues and they are a giant pain in the a$$.

I'm not sure if I'd take a job in the city for $10K more. After your commuting costs it's really more like a $5 raise. If the raise is $15K I'd consider it more.

Also, your subway ride will be pretty easy. E trains are constantly running. I wait on that same platform every morning, but for the C train. Three E trains easily go by before a C ever shows up.

Re: LIRR Commuters

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by Momma2015

When I don't use the LIRR, I drive into Queens with DH and take the express bus from there. And it makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Not the express bus, that's glorious, but the drive in. UGH. There's so much traffic and we take the most convoluted side roads (thanks Waze!) and it still takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes, when it should take 30 minutes tops.

DH and I did this when I was pregnant because I used to puke on the train and I HATED waze. It took us through parts of Queens that hadn't been visited by a person since 1972. And it really loves Union Turnpike.

But, I loved the express bus and the driver used to wait for me while I waddled up Eliot Ave. The LIRR definitely never did that!

OP, there is no good way into the city during rush hour. If your kids are older/you don't have to be somewhere at a precise time (like school/daycare pickup) and you WANT to be in the city, it may be doable. But if you race against the clock every day to make it home it's not a good idea.

LIRR Commuters

10k wouldn't be enough for me TBH. the cost of the train ticket, extra hours for childcare, etc. would make it probably even out lol

LIRR Commuters

I live in Nassau and have worked in Manhattan since graduating college. I've been taking LIRR for over 18 years. I wish I can find another job on LI but have to stay with my company for another 10 years to maximize my retirement benefits. If you have young kids, I would not recommend taking a job in Manhattan. For $10k, it's not worth it. Commuting costs can run $3k-5k.