New York City is the world’s leading financial center and the global business capital. Many of us land jobs in Manhattan, but don’t have the financial muscle to afford the high-rent apartments. Therefore, many opt to live in Queens or Brooklyn instead; however, some decide to live across the river in the state of New Jersey instead. For those people, we answer the question of Where do I live in New Jersey if I need to commute to New York?
Things to Consider
- What mode of transportation do you plan to use for your commute? Do you plan to drive into the city or use public transportation? For public transportation, do you want to take the bus, train, or the ferry into the city?
- What part of NYC are you working in? Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, or one of the other boroughs? Working in Midtown and close to Port Authority or the Penn Station differs from having to commute to Downtown or the One World Trade Center.
So, here is our list of the best places to live in New Jersey if you need to commute to New York for work:
Edgewater, New Jersey
Edgewater is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey for several reasons. It has a close proximity to New York City: only 16.4 miles away if you use FDR Drive. Using the NJ Transit bus is another fast and reasonably stress-free option to commute into the city from Edgewater. Edgewater is also considered safe with beautifully designed neighborhoods. It also has relatively affordable rental prices that range between $1,900 and $3,500.
North Bergen, New Jersey
North Bergen is an affordable area with a small town vibe! Its relatively low crime rate is one of many reasons people choose to live in this township. As far as the commute goes, NJ Transit buses run frequently from here to Midtown Manhattan. Depending on your exact location, your ride to NYC should be around 30 minutes through the Lincoln Tunnel.
West New York, New Jersey
It’s not New York City, but it’s pretty close to it, distance-wise. The town of West New York in New Jersey has become a prime location for commuters into the NYC.
It offers its residents multiple options when choosing their commute route into Manhattan. Its close proximity to Weehawken gives West New York residents the option of a quick ferry ride into the Big Apple.
You’ll also have the chance to take a bus into the city. Say goodbye to your longer commutes. The 128 Bus can get you from West New York to Port Authority Bus Terminal in roughly 30 minutes. Even in the worst rush hour traffic, commuting into Manhattan from West New York should not take longer than 45 minutes.
Weehawken, New Jersey
Another commuter-friendly town on the waterfront, but slightly more expensive within the options. Weehawken is parallel to Midtown Manhattan and is separated by the Hudson River.
Weehawken’s Port Imperial Blvd is home to some luxury buildings. It also has a port that offers one of the fastest and most convenient routes to NYC. A 6 minute ferry ride run by the NY Waterway.
Union City, New Jersey
Right next to Weehawken and just a short drive from Hoboken, where there’s a bustling bar and restaurant scene.
While there is no PATH station, Union City offers residents quick access to the Lincoln Tunnel. There are countless NJ Transit bus lines that take you from Union City to the Port Authority station in Manhattan. The ride should not exceed the 30 minutes mark.
The city is often referred to as ‘Havana on the Hudson‘ because of its large Hispanic and Latin American population. Because of this, there are a multitude of local shops and restaurants that offer authentic, Latin American cuisine. If you decide to move to Union City, you’ll be able to say goodbye to long commutes. Additionally, you will have the chance to spend that added free time exploring the city’s vibrant culture.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is a much larger city bordering Union City and Hoboken. It is considered the second most populous city in the state.
The city is quickly becoming one of the most happening spots in all of the Garden State. With only a 40 minute commute to Manhattan during rush hour, many employees have taken to living in Hudson County and label Jersey City as the best place to live to commute to NYC!
Living in Jersey City would also give you options as to how to get into the city. This means you’ll never be stuck with just one available route. You have the opportunity to take the PATH train, NJ Transit or even the ferry.
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a small but bustling city that gives residents a variety of options for their commute into Manhattan.
It has a PATH train station that makes commuting into Manhattan painless. Taking the train from Hoboken into 33rd Street will take just over 15 minutes. Also, with easy access to the Lincoln Tunnel, Hoboken residents can drive into the city in about 35-45 minutes during peak rush hour traffic. Another fantastic perk of living in Hoboken is its ferry, which can also take you into Manhattan in less than 10 minutes.
Between Hoboken’s vibrant nightlife and easy access to Manhattan, it is a dream destination for many commuters. If you’re looking to cut your longest commute time down considerably, consider moving to Hoboken.
Fort Lee, New Jersey
The typical commute by bus from Fort Lee to Port Authority takes between 45-60 minutes; however, its location atop the Palisades gives commuters the option to drive into the city through the George Washington Bridge. Famous spots in New York City such as Hudson Heights and Washington Heights are just a few miles away.
Do You Need to File Tax Returns in NY and NJ?
The simple answer is Yes. New Jersey residents who work in New York State must file a New York tax return and pay taxes on income earned in New York. You will have to file an NJ Resident Income tax return on Form NJ-1040 and a NY Non-resident Income Tax return on form IT-203.
I’ve been thinking about moving to NJ so thanks for these tips as I do work in NY and commute in NY is already horrible.
Think that’s always the problem with any big cities so many will definitely appreciate the guide…
Very helpful advice. New York city is an amazing place. I can understand why someone would want to make a way to work and play there.
This is so true! Planning and considering such things as commuting is a key precaution.
Such helpful explanations. I think figuring out which areas to live in is always difficult, so glad that you’ve suggested some. Also, knowing about taxes is so crucial!
This is a really helpful guide! As someone who lives on the West Coast, it’s crazy to imagine commuting to a different state every morning for work! But I can see how the cost and quality of living would be much better outside the city 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
this is really great info for anyone moving to NYC… new jersey has some really nice, much calmer areas they anything you’d find in NYC, and at a fraction of the price… and you present the best of the best here.
I could see this being so helpful to someone working in New York but not living there. I lived out east years ago, and it’s so common to live in a state besides the one your work in!
This is such a helpful guide! Commuting is such a nightmare, especially in a busy city like New York! This breakdown of different areas in New Jersey and the transport options is great. Thanks for sharing it!