
We love New York City don’t get us wrong, but it definitely is expensive. With rent ever increasing and the cost of living going with it, we can’t help but understand why many New Yorkers commute into the city from elsewhere.
Suburbs life is definitely a change of pace (and a good one at times), especially if you’re looking for affordability, accessibility and even tranquility. For this list, we’ve put together a list of commuter towns near NYC which have caught our radar in recent months. Some places that offer the best of the both worlds…and are just a train away.
Weehawken, New Jersey
Commute into NYC: 30 minutes
Weehawken, New Jersey sits right across the Hudson River from New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen…and the waterfront neighborhood makes it one of the hottest commuter towns on the other side of the river. There’s plenty of housing (which ranges from brand new apartments to Victorian townhomes), and the township’s recent development of the area has brought even more local businesses and restaurants to the area.
What makes this town so great is of course the small commute (10 minute ferry / 20 minute NJ transit) into Midtown, but also its outdoor activities and dining and shopping. Parks like Hamilton Park and Weehawken Waterfront Park make the location extremely desirable, and chic restaurants like Blu on the Hudson (Sushi) and Charrito’s (Mexican) bring a diverse element to the culinary scene.
Tarrytown, New York
Commute into NYC: 1 hour
There’s plenty of Hudson River towns just north of NYC that catch our eye, but very few like Tarrytown, which is only a short Metro-North ride away. The town’s convenient waterfront location means its full of picturesque nature and architecture…from the Tarrytown Lighthouse to the historic Lyndhurst Mansion.
Between the town and nearby Sleepy Hallow (they’re separate but pretty similar), there’s plenty of luxe houses and apartments which draw Gothic Revival inspiration from the decades of early New York history in the region. It all comes in tandem with historical landmarks like the Tarrytown Music Hall which dates back over a century ago and restaurants like Tarry Tavern and Bistro 12.
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
Commute into NYC: 45 minutes
Hastings-On-Hudson is you guessed it…another Westchester County waterfront town that can get you into The Big Apple via the Metro-North in less than an hour. Plenty get drawn to the town for its proximity to the Hudson River, but the cute small town has personality and great community culture amongst the locals.
The 26-mile Old Croton Aqueduct Trail of course catches eyes for hiking and biking, but the charming boutiques and restaurants you’ll find along the downtown area are noteworthy too. The weekly famers market is pretty awesome too, and you may even see people over and over…it’s that size of small (but in a great way).
Kings Point & Great Neck, New York
Commute to NYC: 1 hour
Our Long Island choice of commute is the pair of Kings Point & Great Neck, which both sit just a bit further out from Queens in Nassau County. Commuters here are most keen to using the Long Island Rail Road to access the city, which can take them throughout Brooklyn and Queens and into the heart of Midtown.
The region is one of the more affluent on this list, with many mansions and waterfront houses taking up the area…most ranging around the $950K figure to buy outright. Cultural attractions like The Great Neck Arts Center and Nassau County Museum of Art give the town some flair and the dining options like Peter Luger Steak House and Limani are brand name enough.
Since it’s on Long Island it’s the best commuting option if you work in Brooklyn or Queens.
Hoboken, New Jersey
Commute from NYC: 25 minutes
Hoboken‘s across-the-water location in New Jersey makes it one of the most convenient ranks in terms of actual access to NYC. Service from the PATH Train, Ferry and NJ Transit buses make it no more than an half hour to get right into the heart of Downtown Manhattan.
The town itself is vibrant and very bustling, especially for many young professionals who want the NYC lifestyle at a fraction of the cost. Waterfront apartments make it (slightly) more affordable to live in a hub of action, and the thriving downtown area is full of restaurants, bars, and shops that are a hub to meet people. We always say it’s the perfect commuter town in your 20s-30s.
Greenwich, Connecticut
Commute to NYC: 1 hour
Greenwich, Connecticut is highly desirable particularly for affluent people in the Tri-State region. It’s highly associated with upscale homes and beautiful waterfront properties which are only an hour Metro-North ride away from Grand Central Station.
There’s plenty of culture in the town as well, like the Bruce Museum, Greenwich Arts Council, and the Bush-Holley House to name a few. There’s also the yearly events like the Greenwich International Film Festival and Greenwich Wine and Food Festival which bring some culture to the community.