[QUOTE=Danielle7182;18254289]
. My concern is being alone, w/ luggage in the dark and unfamiliar with my surroundings. QUOTE]

To me, it's the amount of luggage which makes the difference.....will your baggage fit in a regular city bus (the M60).....how do you feel about dragging your luggage up about 30 steps (to Astoria/Ditmars Stn N-subway line)....or down 10-20 steps to other subway stops?

Perhaps consider the express private coach bus that stops at each LGA terminal, then goes non-stop to Grand Central Station, where you can easily catch a taxi or subway downtown. This private coach bus has luggage compartment in bottom of bus so accomodates larger-than-carryon size bags

New Yorkers on here can tell you the info on the express bus service.....it usually costs $10 when you pay cash at its bus stop outside the terminal.

Oh...bus service is:
http://www.nyairportservice.com/