need a studio or one br near GCT or 125th station

Consider LIC/Hunter's Point. One subway stop to Grand Central.

The train to CT is bad enough, no need to add another 30 minutes + onto it (because you have to hit the MTA schedule so you have to pad).

125th, just take a walk up there, seriously. A friend is nearby and there is TONS of new construction with signs on it, decent looking buildings. Just south of (say 118-120) on 3rd is the spot I'm thinking of.

here's an example. condo gone rental.

http://streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/626141-condo-181-east-119th-street-east-harlem-new-york

Agree, Harlem can make sense, but there are other options. You really don't have to pad much to reverse-commute from LIC. The 7 comes regularly and is quite dependable, and takes 5 mins. to get you to Grand Central. (I speak from experience -- my husband used to do this exact same commute.)

You can also move near Penn Station and reverse commute to CT via Amtrak.

Metro North is no bargain but Amtrak is v. expensive.

Since you work in CT, why not move there? You could save a ton of money in rent and taxes.

Amtrak is expensive, but living near PS is cheaper than living near GCT so you can pay the higher cost of Amtrak with the money you save.

> You can also move near Penn Station and reverse commute to CT via Amtrak.

Only if you specifically work in Stamford or New Haven and wish to spend 5x as much on your commute.

Alpo has no brain, do what most others do and ignore him.

> I speak from experience -- my husband used to do this exact same commute.

By definition this is not "from experience". ;-)

Somewhereelse is right, lot of development up near 125th street and deals to be had. Also lots of floor thrus on brownstones around Marcus Garvey Park can be had for cheap. I think the cost of Amtrak would outweigh the savings from living near Penn Station

Your such an ignoramus swe. Riding Amtrak would not cost him any extra money since he can save a lot by renting by Penn Station over Grand Central. It equals out.

Actually some of the areas near Grand Central (Murray Hill, Tudor City) have reasonable rentals and Chelsea, the residential area adjacent to Penn Station can be pricey. If ease of reverse commute is the primary consideration I would guess Harlem is the best option. However, the Grand Central area might be more attractive for evenings and weekends as well as takeout/delivery.

Hells Kitchen is quite cheap. You can easily walk it to PS from there.

". I think the cost of Amtrak would outweigh the savings from living near Penn Station "

Ignore alpo, he's a moron who lives in New Jersey... and who doesn't realize that amtrak doesn't make all the MTA stops. And who thinks that $50 a day or more (dependingon which train you take) is the differential in rent between east and west midtown. Moron.

I think 125th is a great bet. Neightborhood getting better, lots of decent inventory, and you have Patsy's...

I'd rather live near 125th than Penn Station - I grant it's not as convinient to downtown life but much more charm, lots of parks, growing amenities. Somewhereelse is right that there is a lot of good inventory and you can negotiate.

Amtrak is also not convinient - doesn't run as often as the Metro North

I think I agree with you. Not only do you have the crazy amounts of people between Herald Square and Penn Station itself, you also are close to the tunnel on the other side of PS, which really keeps that area pretty messy with all the cutoffs and entraces (and car traffic).

High 3rd ave surprisingly has a lot of life, they've got some interesting bars up there, and some great cheap local food. And $1.75 slices at Patsy's!

And lets not forget... 125 is an express stop. Really not much different express-train wise than say 96th on the west side... two stops to bloomingdales, three stops to GC, 4 to union square. And, of course, almost walking distance from Yankee stadium, the greatest stadium on earth.

I'd be afraid to walk around 125th at night. I would much rather stay downtown.

I do the same commute to CT and live at 49 Park (37th) and I'm very happy with my situation...door-to door 1 hr. I would suggest 34th-39th, 3rd-Madison. For a 1 bdroom I pay $2,150; I know studios are going for about $1,700, and they come up pretty often. 5 story townhouse, elevator, no doorman.

FYI - Monthly Penn to Stamford =$648 vs. GC to Stamford = $258, so it's about 2.5X difference...plus I wouldn't really call Amtrak a commuting train and their punctuality reflects that. That being said, if you can save at least $390 by living near Penn maybe it could be worth it?..

Yes, but then you have to live near Penn Station and have a less convinient train which runs less frequently.

Hi, Dogismy contact me and I will find you what you are looking for.

Did you find?
Is this for a small studio? Are you ok with a walkup?