Best Orange County, NY Towns for Commuters: Train, Bus and Highway Access

By Ammar Iqbal | Real Estate Salesperson, eXp Realty

Orange County is a favorite for buyers who work in New York City, New Jersey or Westchester but want more space for their money. The best town for you depends on how you commute: by train, by bus or by car. Here is a simple look at the top Orange County towns for commuters. I am based in Middletown, so you can also see my Middletown, NY neighborhood guide.

Best towns for train commuters

Metro-North's Port Jervis Line runs through Orange County with stations in Harriman, Tuxedo, Salisbury Mills-Cornwall, Campbell Hall, Middletown, Otisville and Port Jervis. The line goes to Hoboken, with a transfer at Secaucus for New York Penn Station.

• Middletown has the Middletown-Town of Wallkill station, plus shopping, hospitals and more affordable homes.
• Tuxedo and Harriman are the closest stations to the city.
• Washingtonville and Blooming Grove are near the Salisbury Mills-Cornwall station.

On the east side, buyers in Newburgh and New Windsor can cross the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to Beacon station on the Hudson Line to Grand Central.

Best towns for bus commuters

Commuter buses run from parts of Orange County to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Monroe, Central Valley and Harriman are well known for bus service along Route 17. Read more in my guide to commuting from Monroe.

Best towns for drivers

Orange County sits at the meeting point of major highways:

• I-87 (NYS Thruway) runs north to south through the eastern side of the county
• I-84 crosses east to west, linking Newburgh, Montgomery and Port Jervis
• Route 17 (future I-86) connects Middletown, Goshen, Chester and Monroe

Goshen and Chester are central, with easy access to Route 17 and nearby highways. Montgomery and New Windsor are close to I-84, I-87 and Stewart International Airport. See my guide to commuting from Goshen for more.

Tips before you buy

• Test your commute at rush hour before you make an offer
• Check parking at your station, since some lots fill early or need permits
• Weigh a longer commute against lower home prices and property taxes

If you are commuting from Middletown, my Middletown to NYC commuting guide covers the details. For help choosing, read how to choose the right town in Orange County.

Find your commuter-friendly home

When you are ready, browse Middletown homes for sale or Monroe homes for sale. Selling first? Find out what your home is worth. Have questions about your commute? Reach out and I will help you compare towns.