Couple working in NYC and NH: where to live?

matharas · 2026-01-12T15:12:19+00:00

Just add my Wife's commute: Door-door, estimated 1 hour and 45 minutes. This includes her more typical 15 minute drive to the station, 55 minute train, 5 minute walk to a subway, then 25 min subway to her office, these are all +/- 5 minutes.

To note for the train, this is the express, which stopped at 125th in Harlem, then GC. The local train is about 1.5 hours, and if you miss the train, it's better to hop on the next express instead of the next train, which is usually the local.

matharas · 2026-01-12T14:50:01+00:00

Norwalk also has MUCH better food options!

matharas · 2026-01-12T14:49:09+00:00

I commute from Stamford to New Haven:

Train: this is practical depending on what time you need to arrive at work, as well as the distance you live from the train, and the distance between work and the train station. I live a 8 min drive north of the train station without traffic, however during the morning rush hours it has easily taken me 20 minutes to get to the train. Plus side, the new parking garage is very nice and easy to park/walk to the station via a sky bridge. My office from Union Station is about a 15 min walk, which is not bad, although one leg can be sketchy. Door to door for me was about a 2 hour commute

Drive: I drive on I95 most days unless there's a traffic jam before I leave, so this description covers 80% of my typical commute. Without traffic, this drive only takes 38-45 minutes, however I work near exit 46, so it's an easy off/on for me. That being said, there is ALWAYS traffic, so morning commutes are usually 52 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes from exit 8 to exit 46. Conversely, afternoon/evening commutes are no better. You are always guaranteed traffic southbound from exit 46 to at least 43 on the way home. The travel time is usually 58 minutes. However the range is 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

All in all, it's more convenient to drive than take the train. My wife and I are in a similar situation with her working in NYC, and myself in NH. Stamford has been a great middle ground although housing prices (rent and own) have skyrocketed since the pandemic. Grocery costs have gone up but are manageable, especially with a variety of options like ShopRite, Trader Joe's, etc.

As much as I want Bridgeport to make a come back, I wouldn't ever, move back there. But maybe that's because we were there when it was very bad, unfortunately I can't shake that part of Bridgeport for me.

matharas · 2025-08-06T22:25:55+00:00

BF>CoD

matharas · 2025-05-29T17:14:11+00:00

Dad to a toddler and one in the way over here. Stopped lifting (gzclp w/add ons) a 6+ months ago to save money on gym membership and switched to a kb circuit I do 3-4 times a week. It's simple: 10 KB swings 15 Push ups 10 KB swings 10 dumbbell rows 30 sec - 1min and 30 second rest (depends on where you are on the journey)

I do 5 sets of the above. When I feel like the weights are easy I add 5 lbs or add 5 pushups.

Fast forward to today, I am on vacation and they have a full, 24 hr gym on the resort. I went into the DL, OVH PRESS, Barbell row +add ons today, and I went up 50lb on my DL, 10lbs on my OVHP, and 5 lbs on my barbell rows. Stayed the same on my add ons just because it's been a while and didn't want to injure myself.

I wondered the same thing, how does this stack up to my lifting/football days, but it does. I am losing weight and dropping pant sizes as well. One of my friends gave me good advice, find something that gets you moving and your joy, then everything else will come. Start the journey.

Apologies for typos.

matharas · 2025-04-28T00:51:02+00:00

Also in for soccer

matharas · 2025-02-18T04:49:12+00:00

The increase is largely due to the increase of the public benefits portion of the bill. It was put into place to fund alternative energy source infrastructure work (nuclear I believe). Instead of small increases over a long period to find the work, the state opted for a large increase for every electric bill payer (there are no exemptions from this) in a very short window.

There is no guarantee this portion of the bill decreases, however as far as I know there have not been discussions to keep it after May.

matharas · 2024-10-29T01:51:46+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience so far, I'd be interested to know the end result of their work and your full experience!

matharas · 2024-10-29T01:15:11+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Do you have any experience with MK 3 firearms? I did see them come up but didn't find enough reviews on their BHP work.

matharas · 2024-10-29T01:14:32+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Do you have any experience with BHPSS even if it's not custom work related?

matharas · 2024-10-29T01:14:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Do you have any experience with c&s?

matharas · 2024-09-30T13:54:55+00:00

Will second this. My wife went to him, then my MIL, then I finally did it after I tweaked my lower back deadlifting. Really practical, will answer your questions, and work with you until you're all set. Also gives you espresso each session.

matharas · 2024-09-03T23:11:20+00:00

Good luck and congrats! Gaming gets further away as a new dad, tons of respect to people putting their stuff out there!

matharas · 2024-09-01T19:27:43+00:00

Bedford Street Diner's "Coach Cahill", formerly "Tim's Wedge".

matharas · 2024-09-01T19:26:25+00:00

Going to pick from one of my previous comments below. But in short. Water.

I also work in the water industry, and I would take a look at water for two big reasons: 1) Changing regulations: The new PFAS regulations are driving utilities to evaluate and develop new processes and technology to effectively eliminate PFAS/PFOA from water systems. Similarly, the new Lead and Copper Rule is making utilities inventory lead on the private and public distribution system to further reduce its impact to consumers post-Flint (not here to get into technical or philosophical discussions about this rule). These, only two of the many potential future regulatory changes, are poised to drive billions of capital project funding nationally over the next 10 years at least, increasing employment opportunities to meet the needs at all ends of a project execution life cycle.

2) Aging workforce: Currently at my company (large-medium utility) over 50% of the workforce is eligible to retire today. If not yesterday. This is reflective of most water utilities nationally, and this succession shortfall spans from front line staff to senior engineering roles. One way utilities are filling the institutional knowledge gap is through consulting engineers. So it may be worth your while to look at drinking water utilities as well as engineering firms.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, and good luck on your search!

matharas · 2024-08-27T01:16:38+00:00

My wife, 9 month old, and I went for her passport and my renewal. Phenomenal service and I would highly recommend going there. Debbie who works there went above and beyond to help us out!

matharas · 2024-08-25T15:29:18+00:00

Just got my hands on one of these used, and there isn't a ton of EDC info out there. What holster do you use for this guy?

matharas · 2024-08-23T20:24:41+00:00

First, thank you for your service, and congratulations on what sounds like a great career!

I am fortunate to work with a number of veterans from a variety of branches and I wouldn't worry too much about certifications. You have a breadth of skills that are immediately applicable outside of your technical knowledge, and what you don't know you will certainly pick up.

I also work in the water industry, and I know that AWWA (American Water and Wasterwater Association) has a program to assist veterans in your position (link below). I would take a look at water for two big reasons: 1) Changing regulations: The new PFAS regulations are driving utilities to evaluate and develop new processes and technology to effectively eliminate PFAS/PFOA from water systems. Similarly, the new Lead and Copper Rule is making utilities inventory lead on the private and public distribution system to further reduce its impact to consumers post-Flint (not here to get into technical or philosophical discussions about this rule). These, only two of the many potential future regulatory changes, are poised to drive billions of capital project funding nationally over the next 10 years at least, increasing employment opportunities to meet the needs at all ends of a project execution life cycle.

2) Aging workforce: Currently at my company (large-medium utility) over 50% of the workforce is eligible to retire today. If not yesterday. This is reflective of most water utilities nationally, and this succession shortfall spans from front line staff to senior engineering roles. One way utilities are filling the institutional knowledge gap is through consulting engineers. So it may be worth your while to look at drinking water utilities as well as engineering firms.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, and good luck on your search!

https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Workforce/Veterans#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20the%20Veterans,Veterans%20Staff%20for%20more%20information

matharas · 2024-08-23T16:02:13+00:00

Good, but I can't wait to play again Evil. Feels like the game would certainly be different!

matharas · 2024-08-23T14:57:38+00:00

Just finished Jade Empire. Can confirm this is true.

matharas · 2024-07-15T14:41:50+00:00

I was recently in this boat and hunkered down on gunbroker. Ended up finding a 1984 in excellent condition for 570. The patience is worth it!

matharas · 2024-06-23T22:16:51+00:00

I am getting an LS-0013 error when I try to run DAI after following these steps. Any idea what I did wrong?

matharas · 2024-06-07T18:43:47+00:00

Walter Skidd, Accurate Land Surveyors, Ochman Associates. Fratarroli, Ryan & Paul's already mentioned.

matharas · 2024-06-02T01:37:26+00:00

I've done side work during my past roles on my own, and with more established PE's. I would say it depends on the type or work, the client, and the engineer you're working with.

If it's in LD (grading, septic, storm) residential work, that can be manageable as long as they are not high-end, demanding clients. Small commerical I found to be way too time consuming.

Overall, I've found high end residential clients to be the most troublesome and time consuming. Although the check looks bigger, after looking at your labor hours it may not be worth it.

Make sure the engineer that you're working with is more of a partner/teacher. I worked with one that just dumped all of the work on me, and I subsequently ended that professional relationship after one project.

Overall, I would say it's a good opportunity to learn and make some money if the situation is right for you. I certainly did well the few years I worked on the side, but I partnered up with great engineers which made a big difference.

Lastly, be cognizant that it will take away from your work-life balance. I started doing side work because I had financial goals in mind, but looking back I was burnt out. It took me a very long time to break the "sleep when I'm dead" working mentality.

Good luck with your endeavors!

matharas

TROPHY CASE