How close is TOO close to work? Forum

[SowhatsNU]

Hi everyone, I apologize if this is in the wrong thread, but I'm looking to move apartments to shorten my commute (which was over an hour my 2L summer).

However I've found two places and I'm kinda torn. One is about 15 minute subway ride, while the other is a five minute walk. On one hand it'll be nice to walk to work everyday, but I'm afraid I might feel like even when I'm home I'm never really "away from work" if that makes any sense.

Any advice you guys could give one way or the other would be much appreciated!!

[rpupkin]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

[SmokeytheBear]

Amigo if you are choosing between a 15 minute subway ride and a 5 minute walk you. got. it. MADE. You are ahead of the curve with either option.

Choose whichever you like more from a livability standpoint--which has the bars, cafes, parks, gyms, yoga studios, etc that you prefer and take that.

[mjb447]

Yeah, either is great. A five minute walk isn't too close, but the difference is so small that there are almost certainly other factors that should be influencing this decision more (although it's nice to not have to wait for a train, too).

[RaceJudicata]

Off topic ish, but anyone else in camp crazy with me and enjoys a 30-40 min commute?

[SowhatsNU]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

Wow you guys have been awesome with your responses, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

So just to give a bit more background (in case you guys want it), 5 min apartment has basically no windows and an ugly building, but is QUITE big for New York standards and is $400 cheaper than the 15 min away place, altho the 15min place is in a nicer neighborhood...

Do you think the 5 min walk apartment still wins out?

Accidental anon-I'm OP

[Sprout]

Off topic ish, but anyone else in camp crazy with me and enjoys a 30-40 min commute?

I like my commute to work (~30 minutes on the subway) it gives me time to listen to music, the news, catch up on reading, etc before starting the day. But that being said, I worked in Manhattan last year and lived at the time about 12 minutes walking distance away and it was also lovely

I agree with above posters - pick whichever is a better apartment and around things/places that you enjoy

[Sprout]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

Wow you guys have been awesome with your responses, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

So just to give a bit more background (in case you guys want it), 5 min apartment has basically no windows and an ugly building, but is QUITE big for New York standards and is $400 cheaper than the 15 min away place, altho the 15min place is in a nicer neighborhood...

Do you think the 5 min walk apartment still wins out?

Accidental anon-I'm OP

Imo I would live in the nicer place farther away

[rpupkin]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

Wow you guys have been awesome with your responses, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

So just to give a bit more background (in case you guys want it), 5 min apartment has basically no windows and an ugly building, but is QUITE big for New York standards and is $400 cheaper than the 15 min away place, altho the 15min place is in a nicer neighborhood...

Accidental anon-I'm OP

If it were me, I'd probably spend the extra cash for the nicer neighborhood, but this is a totally personal thing.

I just wouldn't get hung up on the "5-minute-walk-is-too-close" concern. If anything, it's a slight plus because you get to avoid the twice-a-day NYC subway routine.

[Sprout]

also - not having windows in New York fucking sucks in the winter especially. natural light is your friend

eta I moved to Brooklyn so I could be in a nicer building with floor to ceiling windows and it is a game changer from where I was before at the same cost

[SmokeytheBear]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

Wow you guys have been awesome with your responses, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

So just to give a bit more background (in case you guys want it), 5 min apartment has basically no windows and an ugly building, but is QUITE big for New York standards and is $400 cheaper than the 15 min away place, altho the 15min place is in a nicer neighborhood...

Accidental anon-I'm OP

If it were me, I'd probably spend the extra cash for the nicer neighborhood, but this is a totally personal thing.

I just wouldn't get hung up on the "5-minute-walk-is-too-close" concern. If anything, it's a slight plus because you get to avoid the twice-a-day NYC subway routine.

I'd also take the nicer neighborhood.

I'd also, if I were you, take this opportunity to do one of them for a year and then figure out if you want to stay there or move elsewhere. There obviously are transaction costs with moving, but you shouldn't feel locked in. A year isn't that long of a time and you may find a neighborhood elsewhere that you love.

[First Offense]

Off topic ish, but anyone else in camp crazy with me and enjoys a 30-40 min commute?

Only time I get to leisure read and get some me time. I have grown to love it.

[mjb447]

Off topic ish, but anyone else in camp crazy with me and enjoys a 30-40 min commute?

Of trains/subways/walking, I'm with you. Of driving, no.

[RaceJudicata]

Off topic ish, but anyone else in camp crazy with me and enjoys a 30-40 min commute?

Of trains/subways/walking, I'm with you. Of driving, no.

Oh ya, for sure. Fuck driving any distance in traffic.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I mostly agree, but one year when I had a 30-ish minute train commute, it was kind of a relief on the rare occasions when I had to drive somewhere, because I couldn't even try to work while driving. Sitting on the train reading for fun/listening to music etc is nice. Working on the train because you need every spare minute made driving a wonderful break.

[Ronan]

I currently drive 45 minutes to and from work and it makes me want to blow my brains out every day.

You don't have a dilemma.

[Anonymous User]

I walk about 12 mins (0.6 miles) to work, which I still think it's too far. First world problem.

[jman77]

When I saw the subject line, I expected to read about an apartment that was next door to your firm's office. But a five-minute walk? That sounds ideal. If you can find an apartment you otherwise like that's a five-minute walk from work, you've struck gold.

Wow you guys have been awesome with your responses, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

So just to give a bit more background (in case you guys want it), 5 min apartment has basically no windows and an ugly building, but is QUITE big for New York standards and is $400 cheaper than the 15 min away place, altho the 15min place is in a nicer neighborhood...

Accidental anon-I'm OP

If it were me, I'd probably spend the extra cash for the nicer neighborhood, but this is a totally personal thing.

I just wouldn't get hung up on the "5-minute-walk-is-too-close" concern. If anything, it's a slight plus because you get to avoid the twice-a-day NYC subway routine.

I'd also take the nicer neighborhood.

I'd also, if I were you, take this opportunity to do one of them for a year and then figure out if you want to stay there or move elsewhere. There obviously are transaction costs with moving, but you shouldn't feel locked in. A year isn't that long of a time and you may find a neighborhood elsewhere that you love.

As someone who lived in NYC for 6 years, I have to disagree with this. You generally want to move into a place with the intent of staying there permanently/long-term. In addition to movers' fees (which can run in the thousands even if you're just moving within the city), you'd also have to deal with broker fees (which again can run in the thousands). Then there's the matter of having to schedule your move-in/move-out with the buildings (typically won't allow moves on weekends so you'll have to take time off from work as well). I moved once when I was there and it was a complete nightmare.

I also echo what the other posters said about choosing the nicer building in the nicer neighborhood. Winters are so depressing in NYC... couldn't imagine having to go through all those cold and dark months with no windows in my apartment.

ETA: A 5-minute walk vs. a 15-minute subway commute is not that significant of a difference quantitatively, although there is also something to be said about not having to deal with fighting your way into and out of jam-packed subway cars.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I currently drive 45 minutes to and from work and it makes me want to blow my brains out every day.

You don't have a dilemma.

Yeah, mine is an hour each way and I feel the same.

[SmokeytheBear]

I currently drive 45 minutes to and from work and it makes me want to blow my brains out every day.

You don't have a dilemma.

Yeah, mine is an hour each way and I feel the same.

I just upgraded from a 45-60 minute morning/20-45 minute evening, to 25/20. It's the bees knees.

[dabigchina]

I currently drive 45 minutes to and from work and it makes me want to blow my brains out every day.

You don't have a dilemma.

Yeah, mine is an hour each way and I feel the same.

1:20 each way, twice a week in traffic.

At least my commute the rest of the time is doable. I can't imagine doing it every day.

[Ronan]

I currently drive 45 minutes to and from work and it makes me want to blow my brains out every day.

You don't have a dilemma.

Yeah, mine is an hour each way and I feel the same.

I just upgraded from a 45-60 minute morning/20-45 minute evening, to 25/20. It's the bees knees.

My morning commute is usually quicker than my evening commute. I try to leave my house by 7 to beat traffic though. I get off at 5 so there's more traffic then. Sometimes I leave early or stay later just to avoid sitting in traffic.

It's such a waste of life. My lease is up in December and I cannot wait to move closer to work.

[lolwat]

Holy shit if I could live a 5-10 minute walk from work...

I have a 20 minute (driving) commute and can't imagine doing much more than that. I can't speak to the other factors (e.g., quality of apartment and neighborhood), but if all else is equal between a 5 minute walk and a 15 minute subway ride, I'd take the walk. But then again, every minute in the morning counts for me... I loooooove my sleep.

I used to live maybe a 15 minute walk from my internship years back and that was just amazing. I never felt like I lived "too close" and it was great just to get outside and enjoy that time to and from work... but then again I live in SoCal there is sun and decent weather to enjoy.

Also, there have also been several times over the past few years where I had to go home for something or another. Forgotten phone or flash drive, appointments, etc.

[1styearlateral]

The shorter your commute, the better. But the difference between 5 and 15 min is negligible.

[Anonymous User]

I have a 5-10 minute walk to work. Absolutely love it and highly recommend it. Granted, I love my apartment and the area/location as well (a few hundred dollars more expensive than if I lived 20 minutes away, and quite a bit more expensive than living outside city center).

Any bit of flexibility you can get working in big law really makes the difference - at least for me. Personally, I think it would be sad if I relied on a commute to be my "me" time. Take the flexibility and use it to make your life better.