It’s easy to fall in love with an apartment floor plan and forget about one very important factor: the commute. No matter how much you love your gourmet kitchen or private balcony, your new apartment may soon lose its luster if you spend too much time getting to and from work. When it makes more sense to sleep under your desk than make the long trip home, you’ll soon regret your choice.

Bridgewater, NJ, offers the ideal location for people who commute to New York City regularly. Whether you travel by bus, train, or car, you’ll find that the township offers an excellent home base if you want to be close to the city, but don’t want to actually live there.

Getting There by Car

The Holland Tunnel is the easiest way to access Manhattan by car from Bridgewater. Reaching the tunnel is as simple as driving north on Route 287 for a few miles, then exiting on to Route 78 East, which will take you directly to the tunnel. If you plan to drive, you’ll need to plan for toll payments in your budget. E-Z pass holders pay $12.75 during off-peak hours and $14.75 during peak hours, while people who don’t have E-Z pass must be $17, regardless of the time.

Peak hours are from 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. during the week and from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. During off-peak hours, you may be able to reach the city in just about an hour. Rush hour can extend your travel time by as much as a half-hour or hour, depending on the traffic and weather.

Hitting the Rails

Rather not deal with Holland Tunnel traffic every day? Bridgewater has its very own train station at East Main Street and Cole Drive, next to the Somerset Patriots Ballpark. While everyone else sits in a traffic jam, you can catch up on your emails or listen to a few tunes with your headphones.

The trip on New Jersey Transit’s Raritan Valley Line takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes when you catch an express train during rush hour. You’ll need to get off the train at Newark’s Penn Station and reboard another train that will take you to New York’s Penn Station. There are a few trains that travel directly to the city during non-peak hours.

Daily commuters will realize the best value by buying a monthly pass. The Bridgewater train station offers a large parking lot, although it’s best to get there early if you want a good spot. Bike racks are also provided for commuters who want to get a little exercise on their way to the train station.

Traveling by Bus

New Jersey Transit also offers bus service to New York City on the 114 Route, which takes you to Midtown Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal. During rush hour, you can expect to reach the city in just under two hours. Monthly bus passes can make paying for your commute easier. The Bridgewater bus stop is located at the Bridgewater Commons Mall near Bloomingdales. If you decide that the bus isn’t the best option for your daily commute, you may still want to consider using it if the trains are delayed or there are major traffic jams.

Bridgewater Offers an Excellent Home Base No Matter Where You Work

You never know when an exciting new opportunity may prompt you to quit your job in New York City. If you do, you’ll find reaching other parts of the state or even Pennsylvania is very convenient. Somerset County’s SCOOT bus serves Hillsborough, Manville, Somerville, Bridgewater and Bedminster and charges just a few dollars for a one-way ride. Could a job in Philadelphia be in your future? Reaching the City of Brotherly Love is easy when you take a NJ Transit Northeast from Princeton Junction to Trenton and then connect to the SEPTA Regional Rail Line for the remainder of the trip.

When you live at Fairway 28 – A Country Classics Rental Community in Bridgewater, you’ll never be far from the big city. The community is located just off Route 28 and offers easy access to Routes 78, 287, 22, 202, and 206. In addition to its convenient location, the 1- and 2-bedroom luxury apartments offer upscale features, including gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, tiled baths, private balconies, and a fitness center.

Prefer Somerset? At 745 Hamilton – A Country Classics Rental Community in Somerset, luxury meets convenience. This upscale community boasts 1 & 2 bedroom apartments with sizes ranging from 660 sq. ft. to 921 sq. ft. Beyond the walls of your sophisticated residence, you'll find yourself just moments away from the bustling heart of downtown New Brunswick, the renowned Rutgers University, and several top-tier local, The strategic location offers seamless connectivity to major arterials such as Easton Avenue and Routes 18 & 27.

 Sources:

NJ Transit: Bridgewater

http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainStationLookupFrom&selStation=24

Somerset County: County Shuttle Schedules

http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/public-works/transportation/county-shuttle-schedules