Best Places to Live Work Commute
09-13-16, 05:18 PM
#1
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Best Places to Live Work Commute
Been thinking about leaving the County Metro. To many people.
Quite, affordable. I guess Shangri La is not to be found.
Quite, affordable. I guess Shangri La is not to be found.
09-13-16, 05:41 PM
#3
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Most people don't choose the place where they live based on commuting options. It's certainly a consideration, but things like jobs, family, weather, housing costs, schools, crime and recreation are usually more important.
Commuting is more of a "cross that one off the list" thing. Like taking an hour to drive 10 miles around the DC metro during rush hour, or taking 90 minutes to get to work in New York city.
Commuting is more of a "cross that one off the list" thing. Like taking an hour to drive 10 miles around the DC metro during rush hour, or taking 90 minutes to get to work in New York city.
09-13-16, 05:45 PM
#4
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Talk about cryptic... could you be any more inscrutable? Which county? Surely there is no such thing as a best place to live. Shangri La was never a place that could be found by physical exploration.
09-14-16, 07:57 AM
#5
born again cyclist
we used to live downtown because my job was in the northern burbs and my wife's job was deep on the south side. downtown split that difference for us, so that neither of our commutes were obscenely far. but when my wife left her old job for a new work from home job, i lobbied heavily for us to move to the far northside of the city, in part so that i could reduce my 15 mile one-way commute. it certainly wasn't the only consideration that prompted the move (we were about to have our 1st child and wanted a bigger apartment), but it played a significant role in choosing the specific location (along with the fact that my parents lived nearby, which has been HUGE for helping out with the babies).
Last edited by Steely Dan; 09-14-16 at 08:09 AM.
09-14-16, 09:43 AM
#6
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I'm not happy that it takes me 65 or 70 minutes each way, but I'm happy that I have two nice modes of commuting, and neither is with a car. I can ride my bike along the Hudson River Greenway, which has gorgeous views and is low-stress, since it is motor-free. Or I can take the subway and get a chance to do lots of reading.
The commute options were actually a factor in our decision to move from suburban New Jersey back into New York City. The City is actually a good, though far from perfect, place to ride a bike.
The commute options were actually a factor in our decision to move from suburban New Jersey back into New York City. The City is actually a good, though far from perfect, place to ride a bike.
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09-14-16, 11:34 AM
#7
LET'S ROLL
Not too bad, where I live and work here in New York City. Feels like there's a billion people;
but it adds to the character of the city. Lots of places to go to; lots of things one can do.
But if I were to relocate to any place I choose; I'd move to the Netherlands.
Both winters and summers are milder. Plus biking there is heaven.
but it adds to the character of the city. Lots of places to go to; lots of things one can do.
But if I were to relocate to any place I choose; I'd move to the Netherlands.
Both winters and summers are milder. Plus biking there is heaven.
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09-14-16, 12:58 PM
#9
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OP, where is home?
09-14-16, 03:09 PM
#10
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09-14-16, 03:31 PM
#11
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I do want to visit the Netherlands and cycle there. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. But that picture makes it look like hell.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-14-16, 03:46 PM
#12
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Thread Starter
Northern, Central Baltimore County. With few exceptions the Wine & Cheese crowd.
I am like the only white guy on a bike I ever see. Very few cyclists. York RD, Padonia RD, Joppa RD are crap.
I can often get around slighter faster on a bike, than in a car in my immediate area.
You can walk to anything around here. Including mass transit.
The place is so ridiculous, "There is the guy that rides the bike".
I have been in this area my entire life, and parts of it are really nice, but as per the DC, Boston 95 Corridor it's crowded, expensive, and the weather sucks! At least for me the heat is the big issue. I despise summer!
And I would not trust taking any quality bike in the city.
My Father loves the area. And he has been everywhere. Including 5 of the 7 continents. He is not a cyclist. See he can afford it.
Funny, it probably is one of the better places to live in the US. Cost, and Climate are the problem with me.
Anyway I was curious about the responses that's why I was vague.
I am like the only white guy on a bike I ever see. Very few cyclists. York RD, Padonia RD, Joppa RD are crap.
I can often get around slighter faster on a bike, than in a car in my immediate area.
You can walk to anything around here. Including mass transit.
The place is so ridiculous, "There is the guy that rides the bike".
I have been in this area my entire life, and parts of it are really nice, but as per the DC, Boston 95 Corridor it's crowded, expensive, and the weather sucks! At least for me the heat is the big issue. I despise summer!
And I would not trust taking any quality bike in the city.
My Father loves the area. And he has been everywhere. Including 5 of the 7 continents. He is not a cyclist. See he can afford it.
Funny, it probably is one of the better places to live in the US. Cost, and Climate are the problem with me.
Anyway I was curious about the responses that's why I was vague.
09-14-16, 03:48 PM
#13
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I just got lucky. Colorado Springs is beautiful and the portion I commute through is low traffic.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...5TfAHK4EOymjDg
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...5TfAHK4EOymjDg
Last edited by BobbyG; 09-14-16 at 03:51 PM.
09-14-16, 03:54 PM
#14
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A downtown area where you live and work nearby and there are plenty of shops, eateries, entertainment and food markets close by. Any college town, many large cities I'd reckon (though you don't want to leave this mysterious 'county metro' area). Beacon, NY if you can deal with being pretty limited without a car and able to work not far from main street. Hudson, NY has a bit of an urban artist up and coming gentrification going on so I hear. Rochester is randomly on my list. Has a bit of an urban center and I hear the surrounding area is decent biking.
Friend just went to Dallas and somewhere else there, said it was nice. City but not too crowded. Stuff may be a bit spread out in Texas though. Plenty other cities... Demoines and Cleveland for some oddball ones.
Friend just went to Dallas and somewhere else there, said it was nice. City but not too crowded. Stuff may be a bit spread out in Texas though. Plenty other cities... Demoines and Cleveland for some oddball ones.
09-14-16, 04:04 PM
#15
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A downtown area where you live and work nearby and there are plenty of shops, eateries, entertainment and food markets close by. Any college town, many large cities I'd reckon (though you don't want to leave this mysterious 'county metro' area). Beacon, NY if you can deal with being pretty limited without a car and able to work not far from main street. Hudson, NY has a bit of an urban artist up and coming gentrification going on so I hear. Rochester is randomly on my list. Has a bit of an urban center and I hear the surrounding area is decent biking.
Friend just went to Dallas and somewhere else there, said it was nice. City but not too crowded. Stuff may be a bit spread out in Texas though. Plenty other cities... Demoines and Cleveland for some oddball ones.
Friend just went to Dallas and somewhere else there, said it was nice. City but not too crowded. Stuff may be a bit spread out in Texas though. Plenty other cities... Demoines and Cleveland for some oddball ones.
Some of these responses are very obvious.
Although Austin is the place in Texas I could never see myself there. And the heat, the hell with that. Cleveland to much snow.
The place that has the most appeal but it's to expensive is either Northern California, or somewhere in the Pacific North West.
My longtime neighbor moved to Whidbey Island two years ago. Her longtime boyfriend has a house there. He is ex Navy, and there is a big base there.
My Father use to go to Seattle for business frequently.
I think most people would never give up a great location they know about. That would ruin it.
09-14-16, 04:26 PM
#16
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Try the PNW if you don't like summer. Portland, Seattle, Vancouver. Get used to the rain, though.
09-14-16, 09:56 PM
#17
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Now just find a job and an place to live that allows money for food and you're golden.
Edit: Location changed from Vancouver. I couldn't find a job or housing to meet a sustainable ratio.
Last edited by joeyduck; 09-14-16 at 10:03 PM. Reason: Changed location
09-15-16, 09:57 AM
#19
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I like where I live and work. Commute along roads some with bike lanes some don't.. pretty good weather sometimes on the hot and humid side. now if I could just find a job that would help my cycling addiction or at least let me tour more.
09-15-16, 11:39 AM
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Nothing mysterious. I posted my location over 10 minutes ago. I don't see what that has to do with my question.
Some of these responses are very obvious.
Although Austin is the place in Texas I could never see myself there. And the heat, the hell with that. Cleveland to much snow.
The place that has the most appeal but it's to expensive is either Northern California, or somewhere in the Pacific North West.
My longtime neighbor moved to Whidbey Island two years ago. Her longtime boyfriend has a house there. He is ex Navy, and there is a big base there.
My Father use to go to Seattle for business frequently.
I think most people would never give up a great location they know about. That would ruin it.
Some of these responses are very obvious.
Although Austin is the place in Texas I could never see myself there. And the heat, the hell with that. Cleveland to much snow.
The place that has the most appeal but it's to expensive is either Northern California, or somewhere in the Pacific North West.
My longtime neighbor moved to Whidbey Island two years ago. Her longtime boyfriend has a house there. He is ex Navy, and there is a big base there.
My Father use to go to Seattle for business frequently.
I think most people would never give up a great location they know about. That would ruin it.
09-16-16, 10:25 AM
#22
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09-18-16, 04:06 PM
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Best Places to Live Work Commute
I previously compiled my list of arguments for Boston in this thread, "What is it like where you are?"
In summary,
Not to brag, but to illustrate the possibilities. 
I previously compiled my list of arguments for Boston in this thread, "What is it like where you are?"
Does a near-perfect weather place exist?
Personally the only weather I don’t like to ride in is rain, and no rain would be a desert. That said, I really like riding in all seasons, even winter. So my near perfect weather would present the best of all seasons, without the extremes, and I already live here. Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in.
Personally the only weather I don’t like to ride in is rain, and no rain would be a desert. That said, I really like riding in all seasons, even winter. So my near perfect weather would present the best of all seasons, without the extremes, and I already live here. Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in.
Describe Your Commute
Kenmore Square, Boston to Norwood over 30 years
Route: Reverse commute from downtown on four different routes of a minimal distance of 14 miles, each defined by a different hill; can expand to about 30 miles to train
Environment: In order of hill difficulty: Gritty (but safe) urban, pleasant suburban, pleasant urban, ritzy suburban
Hills: One moderate hill on each route, then smaller hills; estimate only about 1-2 miles flat
Road conditions / surfaces: All paved blacktop roads, many, but usually avoidable potholes and cracks; better in summer; shoulders and bike lanes usually available on the major thouroghfares; pleasant residential streets. A pretty well connected, scenic and utilitarian system of bikepaths is available.
Traffic: Heavy urban traffic on major routes during usual travel times, but I ride the reverse commuter direction, mostly very early in AM…
Alternative Transportation: subway, train, car, bus, taxis, car rentals, Zipcar, place to stay comfortably overnight [at work].
Kenmore Square, Boston to Norwood over 30 years
Route: Reverse commute from downtown on four different routes of a minimal distance of 14 miles, each defined by a different hill; can expand to about 30 miles to train
Environment: In order of hill difficulty: Gritty (but safe) urban, pleasant suburban, pleasant urban, ritzy suburban
Hills: One moderate hill on each route, then smaller hills; estimate only about 1-2 miles flat
Road conditions / surfaces: All paved blacktop roads, many, but usually avoidable potholes and cracks; better in summer; shoulders and bike lanes usually available on the major thouroghfares; pleasant residential streets. A pretty well connected, scenic and utilitarian system of bikepaths is available.
Traffic: Heavy urban traffic on major routes during usual travel times, but I ride the reverse commuter direction, mostly very early in AM…
Alternative Transportation: subway, train, car, bus, taxis, car rentals, Zipcar, place to stay comfortably overnight [at work].
… Humbly, if Bike Forums ever had a Best Commute Award, I would be a frontrunner...
09-19-16, 10:11 AM
#24
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Hard to beat where I live and work...and, yes, I picked both for cycling and commuting.
I live about 9 miles North of the junction on the red trail, and I work at the junction of the yellow trail. My morning commute is to hop-skip via country road on over to the little green to blue to brown trail which runs Southwest into town. I head back in the afternoon on the brown to green trail running Southeast, and then, just before the junction, I hop over to the red trail which I ride North to the house.
I live about 9 miles North of the junction on the red trail, and I work at the junction of the yellow trail. My morning commute is to hop-skip via country road on over to the little green to blue to brown trail which runs Southwest into town. I head back in the afternoon on the brown to green trail running Southeast, and then, just before the junction, I hop over to the red trail which I ride North to the house.
09-20-16, 02:35 AM
#25
Genetics have failed me
60% bike path, 20% quiet roads and 20% going through villages with some 30kmh zones. I love my commute. Easy, safe, flat and on good weather days I get a breathtaking view of the Alps.
https://www.strava.com/activities/717860442
Now when I feel like I need to go into the mountains for some hiking or biking, I can take the car or simply ride my bike there.
https://www.strava.com/activities/533721595
https://www.strava.com/activities/717860442
Now when I feel like I need to go into the mountains for some hiking or biking, I can take the car or simply ride my bike there.
https://www.strava.com/activities/533721595
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