MarylandNed

That's a pretty accurate impression actually. Americans are very sensitive about their tax dollars being wasted by "leftists". Anyone who extols the virtues of public transit is a leftist apparently. Of course, that rule doesn't apply to roads for cars to drive on - in which case, the more money the better.

I was appalled by the negative reaction caused by suggestions that the rail system needed upgrades after the recent Amtrak crash in Philadelphia. What these anti-transit people don't understand is that America has a crumbling infrastructure that needs billions and billions of dollars of investment just to make it safe. We are still using civil war era bridges and tunnels that are in serious need of repair or replacement.

The irony is that Amtrak's northeast corridor (Boston-Washington) is very profitable and carries millions of people every year. Can you imagine what would happen if all those people were forced onto the roads?

jaffy23

We were in a similar position and lived in Murray Hill for a couple of years. Rent in the city is $3000/$3500 for a decent 1 bedroom and $4500 for a real 2 bedroom. Without kids you should reap the benefits of the city!

We moved out to White Plains for around $3000 for a 2 bedroom and easy car ownership, but like us, when you get around to kids you'll want a town with decent schools.

Metro North Express trains do exist (at peak times). You can get to Scarsdale, Hartsdale and White Plains in 35 mins; there's a Chappaqua express in the AM/PM peak that will get you there in 45. For Connecticut, Stamford is the first express at 50 mins. For the most part the trains are comfortable and cheaper than the UK. My monthly ticket is the same in dollars as it was in pounds.

rpjs

To that I'd add that the Hudson line towns are probably even better value. We lived in Tarrytown in a 2/3 bed apt for $2100 a month. Peak hour trains from TT include several non-stop to GCT in about 35 mins, and off peak it has three trains an hour including one non-stop to GCT. We now have a house in Sleepy Hollow (formerly North Tarrytown) and I commute from Philpse Manor, one stop north of Tarrytown - most of the non-stop TT <-> GCT peak hours trains stop there too. Only 1tph off-peak but we usually drive down to Tarrytown and get the train from there if we want to go to the city at the weekend.

S Folinsky

My spouse grew up in the area and still has relatives nearby. She is amused that Manhattan got so expensive, that it causes a gentrification of Brooklyn which is now so expensive that people are now looking at Manhattan as more reasonable.

JuneSpring

It's a nice salary

london_calling

Thanks for the personal insight, which does mirror my impression of commuting into NYC. I guess it depends from where you travel. Friends who commute from Essex County NJ report much the same. For me, being habitually early is great but not without an ability to leave a little earlier too.

I've heard positive things about the quality of life in NC, but it's not an option for us.

london_calling

You're not wrong. The tone of the debate, inc from the public, indicates nothing will be done any time soon.

House panel votes to cut Amtrak budget hours after deadly crash - Heather Caygle - POLITICO

london_calling

I'm well aware it's a decent salary, my point was whether or not it would enable a sufficient uplift in living standards to justify the relocation.

tht

Since you have given us no indication of your current standard of living I don't know how anyone could answer that. Assuming you rented in the city you would net about $160k filling jointly after federal, state and city tax. Which would be about $13.3k a month. A 1,300 square foot apt in a nice / central Manhattan area could run you anywhere from $20k to $4k / month. So your question really hinges on what your baseline line is.

RoadWarriorFromLP

You obviously won't starve on $250k, but keep in mind that you will need to pay a city income tax (most US cities don't have one) and it is likely that about half of your take-home pay (net income after tax) will be spent on rent.

Combine that with the cost of eating out (a common sport for New Yorkers, in part because much of the housing is small enough to make most people claustrophobic), and your ability to put away savings won't be as high as the number would suggest.