Can you recommend a cheap/fun/easy place to commute to Columbia University Medical Center?

I am moving to the area with a friend, (both of us age 23 taking our first real jobs).. but she is not fond of the idea of moving into the city. We would like to live somewhere in NJ probably..but I would like it to be an easy commute (less than an hour) and also a fun town for young people. I looked into Hoboken but its out of our price range and I don't think its an easy commute uptown. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!!Can you recommend a cheap/fun/easy place to commute to Columbia University Medical Center?
I think you're best bet is Tarrytown, NY. It's relatively cheap and fun. Lots of people your age there. Now the bad news: you need to drive to the city. Wait! Hear me out: it's not that bad. Hit the road at 5:30 AM. No traffic, and it's an easy drive down the West Side Highway to 168th street. Get yourself a monthly parking garage. That will probably cost about $350 a month.



If you insist on mass transit, it's possible. Metro North commuter train from Tarrytown to Grand Central terminal (about 45 mins), then the "S" train to times square (10 mins), then the "1" train to 168th street (25 mins).
Columbia University Medical Center is within 10 minutes walking distance to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, and from there you can research what busses take you to what towns in northern NJ / Rockland County NY, and see where you might want to live. i don't know anything about the towns up there, so i don't have any suggestions, unfortunately...Can you recommend a cheap/fun/easy place to commute to Columbia University Medical Center?
How about Weehawken, Jersey City or West NY??