Submitted by chocosunn t3_10xb4hb in providence
I just got a job offer at Brown, but I live in Boston and not sure if i want to leave. I’m wondering if anyone knows about how it is commuting between Boston and Providence via Amtrack/MBTA?
Comments
kbd77 t1_j7rhggy wrote
Because we don’t need more Boston transplants contributing to the housing crisis! I, for one, support OP’s plan to commute here.
kbd77 t1_j7rhh7w wrote
Kidding side, OP, depending on where you live in Boston the commute will be pretty doable. You’ll be on very empty trains compared to those that are heading into Boston during rush hour, and Brown is very easy to get to from the train station. I’ve known people who’ve done the same commute in the past and said it was less stressful than taking the T or driving in the Boston area. The biggest question you have to consider is whether all that time commuting is worth it for you. My fiancée does it (going to Boston) 3x a week and likes it a lot; OTOH, I think that schedule would actually kill me.
FunLife64 t1_j7u1xjl wrote
Yeah except they’re working in PVD, not Boston. Smart people with good jobs only coming into PVD for work hours and then leaving the state is not great for our greater economy.
kbd77 t1_j7u2z3e wrote
So first of all, I was kidding (hence my follow-up response where I said I was kidding).
But second of all, what you’re saying is not true. We should want people from out of state coming here and spending money on local businesses for coffee, lunch, post-work drinks, etc. Massachusetts has thousands of commuters from NH and RI who all end up paying income tax to MA, even if it’s not the same percentage of salary as an in-state resident. Plus, they single-handedly keep the Waltham/Metro West upscale chain restaurant market alive.
If OP wants to move here, great! If not, they’re not hurting the RI economy by staying in Boston.
Proof-Variation7005 t1_j7rg0h1 wrote
It sounds counter-intuitive but, if you have a car, the commute isn't nearly as terrible going from Boston to Providence. Traffic and accidents still happen, you'll still spend a ton on gas, extra maintenance, etc but once you get to 93, the southbound traffic going away from the city is pretty tolerable. Nowhere near as bad as what 93 northbound is at the same time, even with 1 less lane than normal.
The 95 stretch is pretty easy until the last 5 miles. That's always kind of slow starting around North Providence. Waze or Google would probably make you get off earlier around Pawtucket before then.
Coming home have slow parts but, even leaving around 5-6, it's still nowhere near as bad as trying to get out of Boston.
chocosunn OP t1_j7ric6g wrote
I don’t have a car, so I would be taking the train! The ride is about 30 minutes.
MyStackRunnethOver t1_j7rjsu2 wrote
Nice! I strongly recommend simulating your potential future commute. If you can, do it on a weekday to actually experience commuting load. If not, then just do a weekend trip back and forth, keeping in mind schedule differences between the two
chocosunn OP t1_j7rk2xy wrote
Great idea!
LTG-Jon t1_j7ry4fx wrote
The ride on Amtrak is 30 minutes. On the commuter rail, it’s a little over an hour.
Proof-Variation7005 t1_j7rn406 wrote
Gotcha. Yeah, I think others have said enough about the train part. It depends on cost/schedule and the suggestion of doing a weekday dry run is probably wise.
I've done the reverse plenty and it's fine enough. Trains sometimes have issues but the commuter rail only sucks when it snows.
Status_Silver_5114 t1_j7rc72d wrote
There’s a shuttle to campus at the bottom of the hill that’s free with brown ID. Also RIPTA is free with brown ID and you could take the 1 through the tunnel. But it’s still a walk from the trainW station itself. Whatever your paying in BOS- it’ll be cheaper here? You must be mildly familiar with PVD if you applied? Teaching? staff? What hours and where on campus? All factors to consider. Reverse commute hours So there’s that no?
birdkeeps t1_j7rt17n wrote
I think if you live within walking distance of Ruggles (commuter rail only), Back Bay or South Station (both Amtrak and commuter rail), then this is sustainable. Else you’d have to connect via the T which adds stress, time and unpredictability.
chocosunn OP t1_j7rtw4c wrote
Yes, i was thinking of moving closer to one of the stations
Jules_cheddar t1_j7rliv4 wrote
I commute from providence to Boston 2x a week. It’s an hour and change on the train, then a 15 min walk to work. Every day would be grueling, but a couple times a week is fine. It’s an easy commute! I take MBTA usually, but do look for Amtrak bc they are much faster (though few and far between)
ForgeWorldWaltz t1_j7soeek wrote
Did the train for a month a few years back and it nearly destroyed me, prov to Boston and back each day. Dropped out of the engagement I had made that brought me there for my health.
But it could well be better a decade plus now since then
chocosunn OP t1_j7uhpnz wrote
What was so bad about it?
ForgeWorldWaltz t1_j7ui9jz wrote
Winter, waking up extra early, 90 minutes on the train, 20 minutes on the subway, 15-20 minutes by car, each way. Also, born and bred RI, any travel above 15 minutes requires a pack and a sleeping bag cuz I’m sleeping there.
But mostly it was just being unaccustomed to the demands of commuting, and having such a drastic commute to begin with. It was a good hour and a half one way on a quick day, if the trains were on time and nothing went wrong. I’ve since gotten used to commuting but still, I don’t know that I would every try it again outside of day trips to Boston.
That and my commitment that had me doing it in the first place wasn’t lighting the fire I thought it would do the whole thing ended up being pretty soul-sucking
ryanfingawesome t1_j7rbojk wrote
seems like more of a pain in the ass than it’s worth. people do it but i can’t understand why.
chocosunn OP t1_j7rc40u wrote
All of my close friends and my partner live and work in Boston. So I’m inclined to stay but also open to hearing any pros of moving to providence!
chip008 t1_j7rdu4n wrote
PVD is cheaper than Boston, but also has a fantastic arts scene, and lots of great restaurants and bars. There are some great neighborhoods not too far from Brown in all directions, also very close to downtown.
If you’re driving, the good news is you’re going against a lot of the morning traffic commuting south. The commuter rail is a solid option, I believe it stops right downtown, short walk to Brown. Not sure about price or timing though.
BingBong022 t1_j7rev2t wrote
Providence is considerably cheaper than Boston, your money will go further and you will have more disposable income that you can use to save/invest or go on a vacation. Also great restaurants, the food scene is superb.
_DataVenia t1_j7u5n3w wrote
I did that same commute until I moved from Boston to RI a few years back. The train isn't bad. Look into the Amtrak pass, if they still have it. I've taken both Amtrak and the commuter rail. Both are a lot easier than driving. Amtrak is generally more pleasant and has a cafe car for coffee or drinks.
Providence is slightly cheaper than Boston, but not enough to justify the move. There's not as much to do here. What I miss the most about Boston is that the food scene is much better there. And my wife misses the shopping in Boston. We tend to go away for a weekend every other month or so just so we can do shopping and eat better meals. There are some good restaurants here, but most of them are just okay. Compared to Boston, RI's dining scene is lacking in both diversity and quality.
TheSausageFattener t1_j7ujumg wrote
After a few years in both cities I feel like I need a car to fully take advantage of living in Providence versus in “Boston” I could take transit most places pretty quickly.
I put Boston in quotes because the transit connections mean you can pretty cheaply and quickly go all over the entire region. When I wanted to go to Lincoln Woods I’d usually have to drive unless I caught the 54 bus. But, in Boston I can do a pretty cheap $30 day trip to Newburyport, Rockport, Salem, Wachusett, Hull, Quincy, etc. I actually did the Providence Ferry over the summer after taking a train in and while it was a pain in the ass to have to transfer, that was a good feather in the cap.
The fact of the matter is it’s tough to run out of stuff to do in a well connected metro area. Theres plenty of neighborhoods to explore.
_DataVenia t1_j7x4cys wrote
The public transportation options from Boston were amazing. We lived right next to North Station. Feel like going to Portland? Amtrak is right there and gets you there quicker than driving. Provincetown? The fast ferry is a short walk away and avoids all that Cape traffic.
TheSausageFattener t1_j7x9ppa wrote
Thats one of the things that sold it for me, that and more career growth options. If I miss Providence, I go there for $10 round trip for a day or even a weekend with friends. Come Sunday I can usually leave satisfied. Boston’s got so much you’d have to do that a lot to exhaust your options.
As you pointed out its a literal hub for so many destinations too. Living in Providence lets you live near Boston, but living in Boston lets you get to a bunch of cities sized like Providence.
Also, not gonna lie, its not that much cheaper. Its variable by the age of the units on the East Side but many of the studios and 1 beds are in a similar range, especially near transit hubs. On the aggregate its cheaper, but Im also in the camp where I felt like I needed to spend $300 a month on having a car in Providence.
iandavid t1_j7rs5ds wrote
If you end up taking Amtrak more than MBTA due to schedules/trip times, keep in mind that they offer monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, which are a pretty good deal.
Pvdsuccess t1_j7rxvjq wrote
Also, I found that if I booked like 3 weeks in advance on amtrak, the daily tickets are really cheap, and u can cancel. And get a refund towards another ticket. MBTA to work, Amtrak to get home fast.
cowperthwaite t1_j7usdea wrote
$348/month for the monthly ticket, $139 for the 10-ride ticket.
RhodyViaWIClamDigger t1_j7s0isw wrote
You’ll be shopping for a place on the east side of PVD in eight months. I did that commute for 4 years. Deep throating a cactus is more enjoyable. I bought a house here and only get back to Cambridge once or twice a year.
FlashbackBob t1_j7s8pp8 wrote
This. Once you discover the East Side and Fox Point you’ll be looking for a place here. Oak Hill in Pawtucket is desirable too.
Odd-Lemon-6708 t1_j7sx8j8 wrote
The train is easy.
[deleted] t1_j7t0wi3 wrote
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SideBarParty t1_j7rqzum wrote
Move to Providence
huh_phd t1_j7u1jk2 wrote
It's pretty rough, probably MBTA over amtrak. I did providence to Boston and my days started around 4am and finished around 9pm. The pay at brown ain't really worth it
bobwells1960 t1_j7ubiiz wrote
Enjoy Providence!
talentedtrash88 t1_j7ud0ai wrote
I’ve been commuting to school in PVD for a while and personally I prefer taking the train over driving at any point in the day. It’s longer, but I’m able to nap/zone out/get some work done.
In terms of cost it would definitely be more economical if you took the commuter rail from Hyde Park (Zone 1) on southwards because a single round trip from Zone 1 to Zone 8 (PVD) costs the same as a one way ticket from Zone 1A (Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, South Station) to PVD.
I haven’t had too many bad experiences with CR reliability; my main issues usually stem from delays on the OL, but having to wait another hour for the next train isn’t fun.
nixiedust t1_j7uedyj wrote
The Providence > Boston part is fine. Dealing with the T once you're there will add a bunch of extra time, depending in where you have to go. If you work close to Back Bay or South Station you'll be good, otherwise plan for some extra time and frustration (still doable, bring a book/movie).
I did from just inside the RI border to Boston for years and it was okay. Better than driving!
bpear t1_j7xtci1 wrote
OP is talking about doing the reverse. Lives in Boston and is going to commute to providence
jdmess401 t1_j7ufvyg wrote
I commuted to Boston via MBTA for two years. If you’re already familiar with the T, you’ll know what to expect as far as the trains and reliability go. As far as the commute itself, it’s not terrible. The only downside is the additional travel time can wear you down over the course of the week, especially if you’re unable to catch express trains both ways.
laterbacon t1_j7uv13w wrote
An Amtrak monthly pass from South Station/Back Bay to Providence actually costs less than an equivalent MBTA pass and the train takes 25 minutes less because it only stops at 128 before Providence. It's also way more comfortable than the commuter rail. The schedule isn't as robust, but if it works for your schedule it's definitely the best option.
nbreadcrumb t1_j81dozx wrote
Can you leverage your offer at Brown to get a job at one of the educational institutions in Boston/Cambridge?
[deleted] t1_j84onlz wrote
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thelittlepigeon t1_j7u0ix1 wrote
Hello! I used to live in Federal Hill and more recently have spent time commuting from Gloucester, MA to work in Boston which is an identical distance - about 1.5-2 hours each way. It takes me ~25 minutes (carpool) to get to the commuter rail, about an hour on the commuter rail, and about ~25 minutes on a bus/subway to get to work from the train station.
It’s not lovely, but if you’re only doing it a few times a week NOT everyday it IS doable. The train is pretty relaxed, and I generally listen to books on tape which is enjoyable. It’s doable - but I will say in your case I’d recommend it only if you’re close to South Station. If you have to take multiple trains or busses to get to south station, all the connections will truly be terrible. One mode of transportation for each leg of the journey is (to me) ok.
Another thing to consider is how long would you plan to have this job? Is it just for a few years? More long-term? That may help you decide. Good luck!
chocosunn OP t1_j7u65l9 wrote
Thank you! Yea if i do this i’d move closer to a station. The job will be only 2 years at most. It’s just a pre-grad scool research assistant position.
lateroundpick t1_j7s8wu8 wrote
You don't need pros and cons. Stay in Boston who cares. You need a reality check that's way too far. You won't last six months
geffe71 t1_j7sgj0c wrote
I’ve lasted 8 years
Illustrious-Elk3509 t1_j7rbwvz wrote
Why pay Boston prices, do a Boston commute, and deal with Boston people when you can live in lovely providence!