Mom's who commute to NYC

How do you feel commuting? I have never worked in NYC. I am being offered an interview, for a company not far from Penn Station. It pays about 20-25k more than I was making in my previous position. Can you please give me your experiences?

Thanks!

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I'm used to it, but it all depends on where you live, how long it takes to get into the city from you and how far from the train you live.

I use my train time to read or watch tv, and its a nice 35 minute train ride to unwind after work.
Having an office near Penn is a definite plus.

The LIRR is a pain, but you get used to it i guess.

The additional $$ for your monthly train pass should be factored into your budget - its pricey!

Mom's who commute to NYC

How far out on the island are you and how long is your current commute?

I'm not super thrilled with commuting (although I didn't really mind it before I had DD), but the job pool on LI for what I do just isn't there (nor is the salary). I pay approx. $6K a year to commute, so take that into consideration when you look at the pay difference.

ETA: and it is true, the LIRR is a pain, but you do get used to it. I don't mind having the opportunity to nap or read on the way home from work, leaves me refreshed so I can enjoy my time with DD once I do get home.

Message edited 4/16/2014 12:42:23 PM.

Mom's who commute to NYC

i despise it... and i only commute from queens.

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I agree with the others. It depends on how much longer the commute is, what your hours are, what kind of flexibility you will have, and how much the money would make a difference for you.

I commute, I hate commuting, and I work from home part time. Commuting part time, with hours that I tweaked to fit the express trains, makes it doable. But I would not be happy commuting 5 days a week and wouldn't be able to do it

Edit: if you are walking distance from Penn that would make your commute easier. I have to build in time for subway delays etc to catch my train

Message edited 4/16/2014 12:49:15 PM.

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I work at Grand Central and live in farmingdale.

I hop on a train at 657 and get to my office about 815. On the nice days I walk (even in the cold) so I can get a little bit of exercise.

Then in the afternoon I take the 529 out of Hunters Point to avoid the Penn crowds and walk in my house at 620.

Its long days but for the money I make I can't see working out on the island. I would take a HUGE paycut and we are getting close to the point where DH might no have to work.

There are days that stink...like yesterday where my 45 min train ride turned into 2 hrs...but truthfully it doesn't happen that much.

you really have to be ok with it otherwise you will dread every trip. I don't mind the train but my DH hated it and had to find a job on LI

Mom's who commute to NYC

Where do you live? I did not mind the commute till I had dd, then I started hating it bc I never saw her during the week. I'd go out of ronkonkoma and was commuting about 3hrs a day.

Mom's who commute to NYC

I feel like pp's -- it depends on where you live, how long your commute is, and if you have any flexibility.
I have a 30 min train ride to penn, and i use the time as ME time -- reading, listening to music, catching up on texts, and facebook. If you drive, you cannot do that. Sure there are delays from time to time, but unless it is major like a suspension of trains it isnt a big deal. That happens very infrequently.
I must say that I took the subway to work from queens for 7 years, so taking the LIRR is like a vacation to me.
If you are able to tweak your hours -- go in early and leave early. I find that the commute is easier when it is less populated, and if you can GET OUT before the RUSH it is best. I get a 7am train and take a 430pm train home so I can be with DS by 530.
If I had to take the 530 train home I wouldnt make it in the door until 645pm and would just get to put him to bed, which would aggravate me!
Also consider the cost. I pay $242 for a monthly ticket plus $100 a month for the subway. It adds up fast!

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I absolute HATE the commute. How far is your commute now? How long will the LIRR ride be for you if you accept this job?

Like a pp mentioned, be sure to factor in the cost of the monthly train ticket, any parking fees you might incur, and the increased time for your commute.

I leave from Hicksville and door to door my commute is 1.5 hours each way. In addition to the time, it's my personal opinion that Penn Station is the most disgusting place on earth, but again lots of people feel differently.

Mom's who commute to NYC

I say it all depends on where you live.

I live in Northeast Queens and a good day to get into midtown is anywhere from 40-60 minutes each way. Again, I say GOOD day.

Otherwise, it can take an hour to an hour an 15 minutes. When the President is in town or the UN has summits - its pure HELLL coming and going, well over and hour and a half.

I am tired of it, especially now that I just had my 2nd child. I need to be closer to them so I don't spend 2-2.5 hours a day commuting. I was considering interviewing for another company for about the same salary increase as you are stating and in the end I just couldn't justify the extra commute it would add to my day (it's located on the UES)

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I commute on the LIRR - about a 50 min straight to Penn train ride. I don't HATE it- its an hour to myself to read, play on my phone, etc. don't have to be aggravated sitting in traffic....

BUT i hate how it makes my work day so much longer with the commuting time factored in.

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I live in Islip Terrace and the office is about a 5-10 minute walk from Penn. Even factoring in commuting costs it is a huge increase.

I think I am going to go on the interview, see how the commute is and what the hours are for the position. DH and I plan on moving in the next year or so, so if it works out we can move further west. Like some of you have mentioned, NYC seems to be where I am going to make the most money.

Thanks!

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I commute to downtown NYC from LI - but I go through Brooklyn (Atlantic Terminal). Honestly, I think that makes it so much better for me. Not much to add to what the other posters had to say - but I do find train time to be very productive - I pay bills, send emails, make schedules, etc. - which is tough to do with a little one running arround. When I'm not productive - it's nice to have me time on the train. Honestly, I don't think I would ever read if I didn't commute on the train. Also, I have a work situation that allows me to leave at 5 on the dot so I have a couple hours before DD goes to bed and then if I have to - I work a little longer after she sleeps. Also, my schedule allows me to get her up, dress her and give her a bottle before I have to go. If I didn't get to do those 2 things, I would be looking for something on LI. The one huge negative is when the train is delayed and I'm sitting there miserable that it's eating into my time with my kid. I will also add that my husband works on LI and so he is the one that always goes to pick her up when she is sick and does the drop off/pick up at daycare. I am VERY glad he does the drop off - I find it SO hard on the days I go - but I hate that I'm not the first there when she is sick.


Good luck!

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I commute from Westchester and I love my commute - its my time to read. My commute isn't long though - 25-30 minutes on the train and then 15 minute walk from Grand Central to Times Square.

Mom's who commute to NYC

i would say go on the interview and find out more about the position. if its a job where you may be stuck working long hours it may not be worth it. i commute from long island to the bronx (by car) and DH commutes to the city. i am lucky enough that i can change my hours to 8-4pm and have time home with DD at night. DH gets home late though and wont have much time to spend with DD. but Dh said he likes that he can sit down and relax on the LIRR (which i am jealous of bc im stuck driving which is by no means relaxing)

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

Message edited 4/16/2014 4:45:55 PM.

Message edited 4/25/2014 9:18:34 AM.

Mom's who commute to NYC

I used to commute to the city (now work from home) and I miss it! It was my me time where I could relax on the train. I worked downtown and commuted out of Atlantic Terminal more than Penn Station. IMO, there are way more issues in and out of Penn than Brooklyn, so learn your way to Atlantic Terminal (easy on the 2 or 3) so you have another way to get home. My total commute door to door was an hour and 15 minutes (35-40 mins on LIRR, plus subway).

DH works close to home so he, for the most part, is able to take care of DD if she was sick at daycare and had to come home.

Mom's who commute to NYC

I went from Huntington to WFC. You get used to it. That's all I can say. The money made up a lot of it for us. Sure I'd have liked to have been closer to home but honestly the money was in the city and that money made our lives better for her and all of us so it was totally worth it.


ETA: Hubby worked closer to home so it was less stressful. He was there if need be.

Message edited 4/16/2014 5:32:43 PM.

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

Mom's who commute to NYC

I did not mind it before kids. But now my commute is 3 hours everyday and then i have to deal with sh*t in the office. I am the office manager and I flipped yesterday with my boss and told him unless i get a large payrise i wont put up with it anymore.
I am here 10 years so we will see how it goes. I am seriously considering taking a large pay cut just to be closer to home and the kids. DH even said that if i dont get it I should take the summer off altogether and then look for something new.

Re: Mom's who commute to NYC

I have to work in the city. My exact position is just not available by my home.

You get used to it & lots of people do it.

I don't despise it.