Commuter Life at NYU?

<p>I was just wondering how commuting was for NYU students. I know that they have a commuters lounge in the Student Center, and that there are organizations for commuters. I know one student who commutes, and she really doesn't enjoy the situation--what with the coursework, work study, and 2+ hours on the train each day--there isn't really time for enjoying the city and the other opportunities at NYU. I would probably have to commute for financial reasons. I wanted to know if it is very difficult to assimilate into the NYU campus community (esspecially given the "scarcity" of community-esqueness)...and whether students generally find this difficult to manage...</p>

<p>When posting similar concerns on the Columbia thread, there was a general consensus that being a commuter was not ideal.</p>

<p>But I think NYU's community would make the situation a bit different...</p>

<p>Any insight would be extremely appreciated!</p>

<p>Hey,
During one year I commuted from Grove St in NJ to 56th street. PATH until 34th then F to 57th. 40min altogether at peek times.
So I would guess that commuting from NJ to NYU (9th st stop) wouldn't take more than 30min. No way to read/study at peek times though.</p>

<p>In addition, rents in NJ are amazingly cheaper than in NY. Not to mention that the taxes difference makes it a better deal without a doubt. Only the PATH card that should cost you about 50 usd a month.</p>

<p>Where do you want to live?</p>

<p>I already live in the Bronx...staying with the parents would be much cheaper than living on-campus, or off-campus, on my own. I would take the 6 train from Pelham Bay Station and then travel straight down to NYU. A trial-run took 1 hour 20 minutes...</p>

<p>commuting vs living at home would be a different experience for any college student. You just have to decide if you are willing to pay for room and board. Remember that if you live in the dorms w/o kitchens (such as Rubin) you are required to have at least a 10 meal a week plan. This is about 3300 a year plus 8600 (if you don't get the low cost rubin rooms). We're talking about 12K for a bed and a meal for 8 months.</p>

<p>Hey, I'm not sure if this is useful now, but I will be commuting from Grove St. PATH station to NYU next year- and it takes 15 minutes tops, even during peak hours. It's actually better at that time b/c trains are leaving every 5 or so mins.</p>

<p>I'm commuting next year from LI.
It took me 20 mins to drive to nyu yesterday, normally it takes like 30 though.
By train, it takes 30 mins to penn station, plus 10 on the subway and then a little walking, probly 45 mins in total.</p>

<p>do you guys find that it's harder to make friends being a commuter?
like I think commuting next year, lets say my friends are going out at night, I have to take the train back home way earlier than they might retire back to their dorms, unless I end up taking the subway after 12 which in my past experience has been creepy</p>

<p>technically you've already made friends by the time you're going out at night. I don't point this out to be a jerk; I've just spoken to a few commuters already (cuz I'm also commuting next year) and they said that you make friends through classes, initial group activities, meals, etc. Just b/c you don't have a room doesn't mean you won't be able to make friends. I guess it is true that you'd need to make plans a bit earlier, and perhaps split up early. But then again you'd be saving 15k or so. It's up to you decide whether paying 15k is really worth it. and there's no right answer, it just depends on you.</p>

<p>well for me it's definitely worth it to save the $15,000 or so. Although a 30-45 minute commute isn't fun, it's not that bad.</p>

<p>yeah that was a big issue with me. The whole social outcast kind of thing. Yeah you might make friends but I felt that it would be a lot harder to get intimate with them since you have all those time constraints and issues. But that was just my view. If I wanted to go out on a school night that would be almost impossible because of my commute. But then again...I'm an hour away from the nyc the train</p>

<p>wait so freezenthaw you're a current commute who feels like it's an issue commuting?</p>

<p>I don't think you can compare the experience of commuting vs living at home for any school. Living away from home is obviously a 24/7 experience. Not everybody wants to give up the comfort and perks of living at home, regardless of $$. Some kids can't wait to get away. Some kids have no choice because of $$.</p>

<p>I'm sure you will have a fine education and social life commuting, but it isn't the same as living away from home. </p>

<p>if you really want to live away from home (and that is totally up to you to decide), then you may have to 'settle' for a cheaper school.</p>

<p>nah. I'm in the same boat as you molly. I was deciding between the commuting to NYU or not. I chose not to because I felt that it would just be too much of a hassle for my first year in college. But that was just personally for me. I kind of need to be away from home. I have to learn how to do things for myself sooner or later. If my parents are there I'll just naturally lean on them for all my chores and stuff.</p>

<p>The PATH commute is really good indeed; at peak times. Believe my experience: going out T NIGHT in Manhattan through a PATH commute is giga long. Trains are about every 30/45 minutes, and then you have to go all the way to Hoboken. Stay there for 3/4 minutes, and then head toward Christopher St.
Did I mention that those night schedules are also applied all weekend long?
It definitely changes the "social life" aspect, regardless of how many friends you have "beyond the bridges and tunnels".</p>