Greenwich, CT: Reverse Commute

Signed an offer to work in the Greenwich office of a fund I am really interested in. For many reasons, I'm going to continue to live in NYC , but I'm definitely getting nervous for the commute the closer I get to my start date.

Obviously the metro north is the most efficient / cost effective option, but if I want to live downtown is getting a car the better option?

Also, do Greenwich offices have relatively less hours / FaceTime culture considering the commute?

Thanks for all responses in advance!

Comments ( 9 )

Most Helpful
  • Associate 3 in IB-M&A
1d

I grew up in that area and have multiple friends doing this commute

I would absolutely not live downtown. That is a great way to hate your life... downtown will be minimum 90 min commute on just about any transit method or car. Live uptown and go downtown on weekends.

Also it's like $600/month to have your car in a garage, guessing you're aware already being in NYC but something to factor in. The monthly unlimited MetroNorth is only like $300, really hard to justify paying $1000+ a month for a car between garage, gas, maintenance etc when it won't really save you commute time.

Two common options:

1) Live right near Grand Central and take the ~60 min train. Most firms are near Greenwich Ave so hopefully your office is walkable from there (imo, better option. work or chill on the train)

2) Live as far up the UWS or UES as you're willing... call it 70s-80s block-wise. Get a car and drive to work - even being a "reverse commute" there is still quite a bit of traffic both ways and I'd expect it to take an hour most days (everyone I know who does this hates it. 95 is not fun to drive on and the traffic sucks)

At some of the Greenwich offices all of the associates split a Greenwich apartment so people can stay there if they have late nights, early meetings etc

  • Associate 1 in PE - Other
1d

It absolutely doesn't take 55 minutes. I do this same commute by car every day in 35-40 minutes from the UES. You'll have your days where traffic is bad but on a day to day basis traffic is light given the reverse commute. I would not worry about the commute and you'll 100% save time vs metro north + time to get to grand central.

agree with the above on not living downtown. That will add 20-30 minutes to your commute driving or metro north.

  • Associate 3 in PE - LBOs
15h

I did the reverse commute to Westchester with about a 1:00-1:15 door to door travel time. I'll be honest, it wore on me, but generally speaking, people are understanding of the commute assuming that's the norm for associates.  Driving is definitely more comfortable but have heard traffic has gotten much worse now that people are returning to office.  Metro North is pretty reliable, clean, and comfortable enough that you can crank out work if need be, but you have to live close by, otherwise you're going to be miserable.

38m
zgzg914 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

I lived in downtown Manhattan then so I had to take the F to Union sq then the 4/5/6 to grand central. There was an express train that got you from GC to Greenwich in I think like 35 minutes. From there I took a shuttle to the office. Door-to-door this was easily 1:15 each way which was really tough for me. Granted I was younger and hadn't yet developed great habits, also it would've been much easier if I lived more uptown.

I don't remember what time I woke up. Maybe 630 or so which isn't a problem but the hours spent every week commuting were tough.

1h
m8 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

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