Reasonable travel time?

Wyndham

Used to commute for 1 1/2 hours each way (assuming everything went smoothly, it was often longer!) It didn't do my health much good, and I was grumpy and tired all the time.

I now have a 20 minute walk each way. Well, sort of. I actually live 3 1/2 hours from where I'm working, but stay over in the week. It's tough, and I'm not recommending it. But it's better than the long commute each day, and of the two, I prefer this.

Badger_Lady

I've always found a way of getting there within an hour. For certain jobs that's meant moving house - although I'm now very settled in my main mortgaged home I do have secondary cheap accommodation near work.

Some of my recent commutes that took one hour-ish:
- 60 miles each way by car (almost entirely motorway).
- 13 miles each way by bicycle in fine weather, or walking / train in 'orrible weather.
- 4 miles each way jogging in fine weather. 20 minutes to drive in 'orrible weather (I tried the bus once, it took 90 minutes).

And some shorter ones:
- Half an hour walk (1.2 miles), or 2 stops on the tube in 'orrible weather. Although added to this is a weekly commute of 3 hours each way by train or coach, and a 5,300 mile flight twice a month.
- Ten minutes' cycle (2 miles), or 50 minutes' walk in 'orrible weather (I was poor at that time so no car or money for transport).

I've found none of my commutes to be unreasonable - I've always managed to set up a job and living situation that work well together. Mind you, I'm also fairly tolerant - I had a two-hour commute to school each morning when I was growing up (50 miles by bus, train and walking) so I got used to it early on

magenta22

I think it depends really.....

the route - is it one that you would have traffic delays in mornings? My last role, my commute without traffic was 40 minutes but as it was two motorways and a large A road, it could take upto an hour and a half to get to and from work. That wasn't reasonable.

My current route is 15 minutes drive.

If you enjoy the job and it pays well then really it depends on how far you are willing to travel each day. Personally I think 30 minutes commute is reasonable.

koloko

deleted deleted deleted

crazyguy

My commute is all of about 5-10 seconds from bed to pc, oh the joys of not having to travel anymore,

Badger_Lady

koloko wrote: »

I commute 300 miles a day, from the Midlands to South London. It takes me about 4 hours in each direction. I've done this 5 days a week for the last 2 years.

I have to admit, it does start to get a bit tiring. I tend to just spend my weekends sleeping!

Dude, you need to stay over! :eek: If you can get a squat in South London for £60 a week you'll probably be financially better off and have a life!

Mine's in Paddington from here: http://uk.cameloteurope.com/508/0/available-now-for-live-in-guardians/adventurous-living-and-working-as-a-live-in-guardian.html

debrag

My last job was a 20 min walk away, now I leave my house at 6am to get to work for 7:15/30am, that includes a 20 min bus and 25ish min train plus 10-15 min walk. I can get home within the hour if I'm luck.
In a big city I can see 1.5hrs being reasonable.

thefishdude

well i commute about 25mins going to work and 15 mins comming back due to no traffic and to be honest that time bugs me lol i hate commuting

macalacka

Your employer has no obligation to alter your hours to fit in with your travel arrangements.

Your travel arrangements are wholly your responsibiltilty. Whilst cycling is not perfect for all weather conditions [i.e heavy rain or snow] it would be a brilliantly inexpensive and healthy form of transport. Failing that I'd learn to drive.

I travelled to my West London job in Shepherds Bush from Kent for 3 years with over 3 hours travelling per day. I finally looked for a role in central London and now my travel is 2 hours per day and no tubes bonus!

There is no standard "reasonable" travel time, it's your choice, is ther money good? Is the job worth it? If not then look for a new one.

DCFC79

Current job is about 10/15 minutes away but the worst commute ive ahd to do was for the last job, it was only about 15/17 miles away but it would take me about 40 minutes, tried using the motorway for part of the journey which was quick but didnt really work out quicker as i would still get stuck in traffic to get onto the motorway.

Some of the commutes ive had before haven't been too bad due to 1 reason being i would be driving somewhere different that i hadnt driven to before.

I currrently enjoy the short commute.

As to the question "Reasonable travel time?" i would say it depends on if you enjoy the job so much that the commute is worth and how much you deem worth it to spend on petrol to get there and back.