Do-able Commute to work

Kynthia

I did 1 hour 45 minutes each way for 14 years. I probably should have looked for something closer but I was doing well there and getting promoted. I've recently got a new job and reduced it to 1 hour 25. I'd love less but I wouldn't get the money I need with a commute under an hour unless I paid a lot more for a house near a main station.

spock007

Right....

My commute used to be 20 mins in and 20 mins back when I lived at home, close to work.

I since moved further out and have to take the motorway and bypass. It used to be 40 mins in and 30 mins back but due to new housing developments it has increased to an hour in and 40 mins back.

I absolutely hate it. I think it can cause depression and a sore back over time.

I moved here as it's where my wife's life was and her step-daughters are here. My wife passed away last year. One of the girls might move out at some point (she's 22) and the other (24) is autistic and all her services are here. Her dad is 10 miles away and she's with me most of the time.

I feel I need to do something and soon as it's becoming unbearable to me. The house is so perfect. I near broke my back doing it up in 3 months for my wife to see in a complete state before her cancer got worse. I couldn't imagine moving and going through all that again. But there's not much near me here. I COULD move closer to town. Or I toyed with the idea of getting a flat close to work - either a 1-bed for me or a 2-bed and rent a room out. However, I understand that stamp duty is higher on 2nd homes, and any gains are taxed at 40%? Then there's twice the bills which will add up... and double the maintenance. And it would upset the dynamic with me and my stepdaughters (but then if I moved to town, that'd happen anyway).

There is no job that is really any closer (e.g. by train).

I sat in near standstill traffic this morning for an hour and thought "what the hell am I doing with my life" - all those hours wasted.

just hate this situation. If it helps, house is paid off so I'm financially a little more free than another in the same situation with a mortgage.

Les79

Make your own thread if you have a specific question. Otherwise, try not to post on threads which are a year out of date.

bamgbost

Not sure there is a Q here Les.
To be fair... it still relates. Summary is: He hates the commute.

As an update, I did take the job with the long commute... (50miles e/w driving).

Been doing it 10months now, and its been ok. Yes some weeks esp later in the week it can drag, but on the whole its not been too bad. However as we now approach winter with the longer dark periods... its defo a lot tougher to do!

bugslet

spock007 wrote: »

Right....



I absolutely hate it. I think it can cause depression and a sore back over time.

.

I am retiring next year, April in terms of rush hour communting and it's been around an hour 30/40 mins every day for 28 years.

Personally I chill, sing along to the radio, shout at a phone in:p, spent some time learning german ( now forgotten:o). It's never depressed me and nor has it caused a sore back.

If you do have back issues then you need to change your seat position maybe. I used to do mega miles at one point over a period of two years, think around 1000-1500 miles a week in my car + another 1000 in a van every week and it never caused back problems.

Feyfangirl

At the moment my commute to and from work is 35 minutes average on the bus can suck though if you miss the bus and have an hour wait in the freezing cold

DD265

My commute is 38 miles each way - a good run is 1hr15 mins and that's still in stop start traffic. On a weekend I could do it in 50 minutes. I've been doing this for 4 years and it's soul destroying. The other office is twice the distance but only takes 15 mins more to get to, but unfortunately although it's a better drive I couldn't afford to be based there because of the extra distance.

It's the traffic that gets me more than anything, and the dangerous driving from people who have to try and beat the queues. That said my husband commutes by train and it's extremely rare for even one of his trains to be on time/not overcrowded etc.

We're relocating for shorter commutes and we can't wait.

ETA listening to podcasts definitely helps to keep me sane. Often I start and finish a 100 minute podcast in one commute.

bamgbost

DD265 wrote: »

My commute is 38 miles each way - a good run is 1hr15 mins and that's still in stop start traffic. On a weekend I could do it in 50 minutes. I've been doing this for 4 years and it's soul destroying. The other office is twice the distance but only takes 15 mins more to get to, but unfortunately although it's a better drive I couldn't afford to be based there because of the extra distance.

It's the traffic that gets me more than anything, and the dangerous driving from people who have to try and beat the queues. That said my husband commutes by train and it's extremely rare for even one of his trains to be on time/not overcrowded etc.

We're relocating for shorter commutes and we can't wait.

ETA listening to podcasts definitely helps to keep me sane. Often I start and finish a 100 minute podcast in one commute.

U guys moving closer to work for u both? Whats the new distance and travelling time going to be? ( out of curiosity)

robatwork

Feyfangirl wrote: »

At the moment my commute to and from work is 35 minutes average on the bus can suck though if you miss the bus and have an hour wait in the freezing cold

I normally drive but the car was stranded at work recently and I had to get the bus. A 35 min drive turned into a 1hr 15min bus journey.
However....it was so much less stressful than driving. I played a round of golf on the phone, then got stuck into a textbook on learning a language. The journey passed much more quickly than my interminable seeming drive.

If I didn't live so far from the bus stop and work so far from it at the other end, I'd seriously consider going by bus just for the reduction in stress.

bamgbost

Started this thread almost 2 years ago....
And I have had enough of the commute. IT's doable...but when you think about the time lost, wear and tear on car, etc. It doesnt add up. esp when one has a young family....my Mon-Fri is a near write off with the kids!
So...got a new job offer roughly 9miles from home compared to the 50miles currently. The Pay is near enough the same... but the saving in fuel costs, work/life balance will make it better in the long run i reckon!

I assume more people take this option of moving nearer home. Are many still doing the massive commute. And how long did you do it for before deciding enoughs enough.