Long commutes

westv

£3k isn't that expensive really. It was costing me around that when I used to commute in from Chelmsford and that was only about 35 mins from London. I guess it depends on what salary you're getting.

Treehugged

westv wrote: »

£3k isn't that expensive really. It was costing me around that when I used to commute in from Chelmsford and that was only about 35 mins from London. I guess it depends on what salary you're getting.

The salary is £24k so £3k is a huge chunk though.

westv

Treehugged wrote: »

The salary is £24k so £3k is a huge chunk though.

Fair enough.

[Deleted User]

No thoughts of relocating? £250 and 80hrs a month on the train sounds a bit of a bad trade off for a £24k job

After tax, that would work out as 16% of your wage being spent on travel

Treehugged

ringo_24601 wrote: »

No thoughts of relocating? £250 and 80hrs a month on the train sounds a bit of a bad trade off for a £24k job

After tax, that would work out as 16% of your wage being spent on travel

I know.

That said if it comes to it I'll have to commute. I can't relocate as I have family commitments in London.

KiKi

I did the Brighton London commute for 12 years. I still do it now, 2 days a week.

However, I was going Brighton to London, not the other way around. And I worked at Victoria and Blackfriars, which are on the mainline routes, and on more than double your salary, which is a much nicer incentive for the travel. Doing the tube the other end would be an absolute no-no for me. Whilst the service is one of the best in the country in terms of train quality (Southern, not FCC) and speed, do not underestimate the problem that when something goes wrong, the WHOLE line is screwed.

I would absolutely not do the commute with the tube journey the other end. (I worked at Edgeware Road for about 4 months - terrible. Two tubes or a bus which added a good 30 minutes to my trip.)

Also, the Preston Park stop is fine if you're going Brighton to London and back, as it stops there as part of the commute service. You're going in the opposite direction at those times, so will get the fast trains - which don't usually stop at Preston Park. You'd have to change at Haywards Heath for a fast train to Vic.

On £24K (and no, there is no cheaper way for anyone who was asking!) I wouldn't contemplate it for the tube journey alone. Nightmare trip for you, sorry. (And I speak from years of experience!)

KiKi

westv

Oh I didn't realise the OP was going London to Brighton rather than the other way round.
I'd look to see what i could get in London if I could.

Treehugged

KiKi wrote: »

I did the Brighton London commute for 12 years. I still do it now, 2 days a week.

However, I was going Brighton to London, not the other way around. And I worked at Victoria and Blackfriars, which are on the mainline routes, and on more than double your salary, which is a much nicer incentive for the travel. Doing the tube the other end would be an absolute no-no for me. Whilst the service is one of the best in the country in terms of train quality (Southern, not FCC) and speed, do not underestimate the problem that when something goes wrong, the WHOLE line is screwed.

I would absolutely not do the commute with the tube journey the other end. (I worked at Edgeware Road for about 4 months - terrible. Two tubes or a bus which added a good 30 minutes to my trip.)

Also, the Preston Park stop is fine if you're going Brighton to London and back, as it stops there as part of the commute service. You're going in the opposite direction at those times, so will get the fast trains - which don't usually stop at Preston Park. You'd have to change at Haywards Heath for a fast train to Vic.

On £24K (and no, there is no cheaper way for anyone who was asking!) I wouldn't contemplate it for the tube journey alone. Nightmare trip for you, sorry. (And I speak from years of experience!)

KiKi

Crikey. But there aren't many jobs out there. Perhaps I could do it for a 18 months and then look for something in London This is a job that's right up my street. (Or not.) Pfft I don't care I'll commute and figure out a way to top up my earnings.

Treehugged

westv wrote: »

Oh I didn't realise the OP was going London to Brighton rather than the other way round.
I'd look to see what i could get in London if I could.

Yeah but there's nothing. This is my first short list in over 180 applications since April 3rd. Yes you heard me: First shortlist in over 180 applications since April 3rd when I started to save my job applications!

KiKi

Also, just seen someone mention £250 a month - don't know where that's from, but with the tube (and you have to get all zones), even with the 12 month discount, you won't get travel for less than £380 a month from Victoria.

KiKi