Buying a flat for commuting?

chunkytfg

spock007 wrote: »

House is mortgage-free and done exactly the way my wife and I wanted it. A LOT of effort went in and I know it is in good shape. The only thing I'm not so hot about is a telephone mast 50m away but it is what it is.

I used to live just a 20 mins drive from work and that made such a huge difference. I think commuting long distances can cause a bad mood, tiredness, sore back and cost money.

The commute used to be 40mins in and 35 mins back but it's stedaily gotten worse. First thing I do in the morning is open gmaps to see a big red line into work with 1hr+ often quoted. It really gets me down.

Renting first might be an idea.. I'm also aware that the dynamics with my step-daughters would change if I lived away from home but they're early 20s (one is autistic but can take of herself) and wont be here forever so that shouldn't factor too much into it.

I have to be in for 10am latest and can't leave before 4pm. I shift my hours so I go in for 10 and leave 6pm+.

Long-term I think I'm going to have to do something. I think it's rubbish that an hour each way is normal. I don't know if I can live with it - I swear the commute is actually making me physically ill. I'm still hurting after my wife's death but this is definitely a separate issue.

First things first and it should have been said sooner for which i'm sorry.

Sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how tough what you're going through must be.


Secondly, how far is your commute? Is it possible to maybe look at something like a moped or cycle for it? An initial 20 min commute that now is an hour would say to me probably under 15 miles. Is that right? I now cycle commute 8 miles each way and the good feeling I get from it is really worth it compared to the odd day I get wet in the rain.

spock007

Yep... especially so soon after their mother's passing. I'm very considerate of their emotions (I'm here really because this is where their lives are)

spock007

Thanks @chunkytfg - it's been very difficult.

When it was 20mins, I was living at home.. I since moved out. I'm now 26 miles away and connect to work via motorway and bypass (both dual-lane, only....). Considered a motorbike for a microsecond then forgot the idea - something bad would happen - I just know it.

Some folk at work do have 1+ hour in and 1+ hour back but if it can be helped, I think best help it. That's 10 hours a week... if the commute was halved I think it could only help overall physical and mental health and that extra 5 hours could be so useful.

If I could cycle, I would...

chunkytfg

spock007 wrote: »

Thanks @chunkytfg - it's been very difficult.

When it was 20mins, I was living at home.. I since moved out. I'm now 26 miles away and connect to work via motorway and bypass (both dual-lane, only....). Considered a motorbike for a microsecond then forgot the idea - something bad would happen - I just know it.

Some folk at work do have 1+ hour in and 1+ hour back but if it can be helped, I think best help it. That's 10 hours a week... if the commute was halved I think it could only help overall physical and mental health and that extra 5 hours could be so useful.

If I could cycle, I would...

I'm sure it has:o

Thats fair enough. 26 miles is a really long way and to avoid a motorway would only add miles. Your talk of it being less and houses being built making it worse made me think it was a commute through a town so maybe not far just really really slow.

if you can work flexitime and have core hours have you looked at what the commute like doing it as early early rather than late late? does it change much?

gycraig_2

Do the same commute now if I had the ability to move closer to work I'd snatch at it.

If it was Monday to Friday I'd consider a house share which is quite cheap to get the time travelled down.

Personally I'd sell the house give the kids a little something to get them started and buy a smaller house near work.

julicorn

Sorry for your loss.

Have you tried going in for 8, and leaving at 4? It might not make a huge difference where you are, but around here, there's much less traffic around those times than 10/6. I understand it doesn't suit everyone of course.

davidmcn

Or public transport? Might take (even) longer but at least you can do something else with your time rather than drive.

melanzana

Very sorry for your loss. Despite what you say the house has memories, and maybe you might like a fresh start. The commute time, whilst not onerous by other people's standards is tough for you. That is the issue now.

I would seriously consider a house share, or Monday to Thurs lodgings near your work. Walking distance even.

So you leave your house Monday morning, stay near work Monday, Tues, Wed and Thurs. Back for the weekend. Worth a try. It might help the girls be independent too.

Try it out and see. If that won't work, then maybe give it another year or so, and then sell and give the girls something to set them up with a rental for themselves. I presume the house was in joint names of you and your wife.

Bereavement sucks. Do whatever makes things easier for you.

Norman_Castle

Could you try bed and breakfast for four nights per week or look to be a part time lodger. Some people looking for a lodger are likely to prefer weekends to themselves. You might find you prefer to go home every night.

Would working longer hours four days per week be possible.

xylophone

Do you own the property or do you own it as tenants-in-common with your stepdaughters (bequeathed your late wife's share)?

Or is there an interest in possession trust in place?