How realistic would it be to live near Newark but be based out of JFK? Also does anyone know of any areas to avoid (or the lesser evils) around JFK? Im going to have to go there after training and just trying to get a feel for what to look for and expect. If it helps, I plan on bringing my car up if it's needed.

I suggest taking a look on your own, what one person thinks isn't a bad neighborhood another does. I live in a very safe part of Philly and when my little brother comes down he thinks its the slums and scarey....... I am thinking of getting a crashpad for the few months Im on reserve, not sure though..... I can JUST make it there in 2 hours, but am nervous about that, (traffic obvi)..... Nice areas Hoboken NJ, Jersey City NJ, Weehawken, anywhere in Manhattan (for the most part lol) Kew Gardens I hear is nice, Astoria....... This is comming from someone not from NY so.......

i stayed at www.bergenpointvillage.com it was ok and the van is always there and on time every day. its in bayonne

Diver...being a New Yorker, I definitely wouldn't feel too good about having to make the commute from EWR to JFK within two hours at certain points of the day. It's a coin toss with all the possibilites as far as traffic goes. If you're going to have a car, there are many reasonable and safe options within Queens that would keep you close enough to JFK to ensure being there within two hours - even if the traffic is ridiculous. Astoria, Bayside, Flushing, Kew Gardens, etc.. All depends on how long you would be looking to be around and what you want to pay.