Unsure about possible new job due to commute - thoughts? 12 June 2022 at 10:12AM in Employment, jobseeking & training 30 replies 1.5K views

redrabbit29

I have been offered a new job which sounds really good, exciting with new things to learn and some travel. It is technically more senior although due to the commute I will probably break even. 

My current job I have complete flexibility over working hours, and also work from home whenever I want. Most days I stay at home now, but if I go in I can do so anytime I want in the day so it's very flexible. I also get a work car (for commuting only rather than personal use). So my costs are £0 in that regard.

The new job would involve:

1. 20 minute car journey to train station 
2. 40 minute direct train to London Waterloo
3. 25 minute walk to office or 10 minute bike ride (or the electric scooters they have now)

Total time you'd be looking at is about 1hr 15 mins if using the bike. It is broken up and involves just the one train. No WFH in the new job either.

My worry is that I would go from a job with complete flexibility to one where I'd be out of the house at 6:30am and not back until about 6:30pm. So time of exercise would be really difficult to find as I'd get home do dinner, be tired, etc. 

Has anyone done a similar commute? My gut is telling me it is too long and even if this may be a great job, it's just going to use up a lot of my free time for no pay reward. However, the opportunities it may give could make it worthwhile. Just a bit torn.

Undervalued

redrabbit29 said:

I have been offered a new job which sounds really good, exciting with new things to learn and some travel. It is technically more senior although due to the commute I will probably break even. 

My current job I have complete flexibility over working hours, and also work from home whenever I want. Most days I stay at home now, but if I go in I can do so anytime I want in the day so it's very flexible. I also get a work car (for commuting only rather than personal use). So my costs are £0 in that regard.

The new job would involve:

1. 20 minute car journey to train station 
2. 40 minute direct train to London Waterloo
3. 25 minute walk to office or 10 minute bike ride (or the electric scooters they have now)

Total time you'd be looking at is about 1hr 15 mins if using the bike. It is broken up and involves just the one train. No WFH in the new job either.

My worry is that I would go from a job with complete flexibility to one where I'd be out of the house at 6:30am and not back until about 6:30pm. So time of exercise would be really difficult to find as I'd get home do dinner, be tired, etc. 

Has anyone done a similar commute? My gut is telling me it is too long and even if this may be a great job, it's just going to use up a lot of my free time for no pay reward. However, the opportunities it may give could make it worthwhile. Just a bit torn.

Then I think one key factor is what (if anything) it may lead to in the future?

If there is a good chance it gives you a worthwhile step up a ladder (you want to climb), then maybe you put up with it for a year or two.

If not, then personally I wouldn't entertain it.

Rush hour trains to and from London are not a pleasant experience. A 25 minute walk may be very nice in spring or autumn but is no fun at all in foul conditions in the depths of winter or after a tiring day in a heatwave!

JReacher1

Can you lever a promotion at your current job by using this offer as leverage?  

Sandtree

redrabbit29 said:

The new job would involve:

1. 20 minute car journey to train station 
2. 40 minute direct train to London Waterloo
3. 25 minute walk to office or 10 minute bike ride (or the electric scooters they have now)

Total time you'd be looking at is about 1hr 15 mins if using the bike. It is broken up and involves just the one train. No WFH in the new job either.

My worry is that I would go from a job with complete flexibility to one where I'd be out of the house at 6:30am and not back until about 6:30pm. So time of exercise would be really difficult to find as I'd get home do dinner, be tired, etc. 

Has anyone done a similar commute? My gut is telling me it is too long and even if this may be a great job, it's just going to use up a lot of my free time for no pay reward. However, the opportunities it may give could make it worthwhile. Just a bit torn.

My old journey used to be very similar but add a tube ride from Waterloo to Bank. The way in was fine because driving you could measure within a minute or two getting parked in the station and on the platform. The way back was a longer trip because I cannot control what time I get out of the office down to the minute and the Bank/Waterloo tube line sometimes allows you on the first train and other times you'd be lucky to get on the third train. Plus train from Waterloo was only every 30 minutes so miss one and it adds 30 mins.

As someone who has worked in central London for all their career a 1.5hr commute in is very normal amongst colleagues and have known plenty with a 2hr+ commute. So personally I wouldn't say its too long but my get home time would be more like 7-7:30pm most days as leaving at 5pm is a dream that rarely comes true and then the above issue on train frequency.

Ultimately its up to you and your balance between career and life balance... I can see why it'd be more challenging to those with small kids but I'd argue if you have aspirations to go up the career ladder significantly it normally realistically also includes increased hours and so may be a broader question for you if you value your current life/work balance significantly.

elsien

If exercise is important, the alternative would be to find a gym near work, go there after work and then do a later commute home. With some meal planning that could be doable. 

What do you mean by the role is technically more senior? Forget the money for a moment, is it more senior in terms of responsibility/where you sit in the organisation?  What opportunities might it lead to, and are those opportunities available where you are now? 

General_Grant

redrabbit29 said:

I have been offered a new job which sounds really good, exciting with new things to learn and some travel. It is technically [does that mean "actually"?] more senior although due to the commute I will probably break even [so the "although" is probably looking at nett income and therefore not about the job itself]. 

My current job I have complete flexibility over working hours, and also work from home whenever I want. Most days I stay at home now, but if I go in I can do so anytime I want in the day so it's very flexible. I also get a work car (for commuting only rather than personal use). So my costs are £0 in that regard.  [If it is for commuting then that could be "personal use" and a taxable benefit.]

The new job would involve:

1. 20 minute car journey to train station 
2. 40 minute direct train to London Waterloo
3. 25 minute walk to office or 10 minute bike ride [there's some exercise] (or the electric scooters they have now) 

Total time you'd be looking at is about 1hr 15 mins if using the bike. It is broken up and involves just the one train. No WFH in the new job either.

My worry is that I would go from a job with complete flexibility to one where I'd be out of the house at 6:30am and not back until about 6:30pm. So time of exercise would be really difficult to find as I'd get home do dinner, be tired, etc.   [What are the working hours?  Leaving home at 6.30 am and a max 1.5 hour commute suggests an 8 am start with a back at home time suggesting finishing at 5 pm.  So 8 am to 5 pm?]

Has anyone done a similar commute? My gut is telling me it is too long and even if this may be a great job, it's just going to use up a lot of my free time for no pay reward. However, the opportunities it may give could make it worthwhile. Just a bit torn.
[I certainly did longer commutes - generally walk, tube, change tube line, walk - and went out a fair number of weekday evenings.  That was in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.)]

Is the long-term view for career progression something which should tip the balance to moving?

redrabbit29

Undervalued said:

Then I think one key factor is what (if anything) it may lead to in the future?

If there is a good chance it gives you a worthwhile step up a ladder (you want to climb), then maybe you put up with it for a year or two.

If not, then personally I wouldn't entertain it.

Rush hour trains to and from London are not a pleasant experience. A 25 minute walk may be very nice in spring or autumn but is no fun at all in foul conditions in the depths of winter or after a tiring day in a heatwave!

It's in a slightly different area than I am now but one that I wanted to move into. So in that respect it could be a good move because it would expose me to lots more of that type of work on a full time basis, and would be a real change for me.

I did a test commute recently, getting the train into London at the time I would do on a normal day. There was no major issues with that. According to a site I used it is 96% reliable (which means that it leaves within 5 minutes of it's schedule time 96% of the time). 

Coming back is a different kettle of fish probably. Trains aren't as regular which is annoying. I would be able to leave work though and get there 10 minutes before the departure time which should hopefully ensure I get a seat.

JReacher1 said:

Can you lever a promotion at your current job by using this offer as leverage?  

Unfortunately that is unlikely. It's a public sector organisation and if you know anything about that, then you know it's very bureaucratic and you can't get promoted easily, it can take several years and lots of hoop jumping. The other consideration is I am keen to move into a slightly different business area - closely related but just a different focus. My current organisation doesn't offer me that option so this move could be a good one potentially. I just wish they allowed WFH or were at least a bit closer - but that's just the way it is!

Sandtree said:

My old journey used to be very similar but add a tube ride from Waterloo to Bank. The way in was fine because driving you could measure within a minute or two getting parked in the station and on the platform. The way back was a longer trip because I cannot control what time I get out of the office down to the minute and the Bank/Waterloo tube line sometimes allows you on the first train and other times you'd be lucky to get on the third train. Plus train from Waterloo was only every 30 minutes so miss one and it adds 30 mins.

As someone who has worked in central London for all their career a 1.5hr commute in is very normal amongst colleagues and have known plenty with a 2hr+ commute. So personally I wouldn't say its too long but my get home time would be more like 7-7:30pm most days as leaving at 5pm is a dream that rarely comes true and then the above issue on train frequency.

Ultimately its up to you and your balance between career and life balance... I can see why it'd be more challenging to those with small kids but I'd argue if you have aspirations to go up the career ladder significantly it normally realistically also includes increased hours and so may be a broader question for you if you value your current life/work balance significantly.

I'm lucky in that there would be no tube needed which is a big plus. At waterloo I can either get a train 3 minutes back out to the station next to where I work, or walk/santander bike/scooter there. It's 1.2 miles from Waterloo so it's not too far and there is also the 77 bus which passes by. So there are lots of options. The working hours would likely be 8ish to 4pm ish. It's a public sector role so overtime and long hours are unlikely and the work/life balance would be good - especially compared to private sector. I have no kids although I am late 30s and my partner does want them. I have the same issue btw with trains. They're every 30 minutes roughly. So if I was to miss it I'd have to wait. My plan would be to get there 10 minutes before the train to secure a seat.

elsien said:

If exercise is important, the alternative would be to find a gym near work, go there after work and then do a later commute home. With some meal planning that could be doable. 

What do you mean by the role is technically more senior? Forget the money for a moment, is it more senior in terms of responsibility/where you sit in the organisation?  What opportunities might it lead to, and are those opportunities available where you are now? 

It's hard to say about seniority as it's a different organisation. It is more senior yes - that's a fact but it's just a different area of business so it doesn't exactly compare perfectly. But more senior it is :-) Opportunities are good. Would be exposed to tons of new stuff, would travel for some of it too, learn new skills and completely different focus to what I am doing now. I think there is an on-site gym, and I'd also like to go running some lunch times too which would be an option

redrabbit29

General_Grant said:

redrabbit29 said:

I have been offered a new job which sounds really good, exciting with new things to learn and some travel. It is technically [does that mean "actually"?] more senior although due to the commute I will probably break even [so the "although" is probably looking at nett income and therefore not about the job itself]. 

My current job I have complete flexibility over working hours, and also work from home whenever I want. Most days I stay at home now, but if I go in I can do so anytime I want in the day so it's very flexible. I also get a work car (for commuting only rather than personal use). So my costs are £0 in that regard.  [If it is for commuting then that could be "personal use" and a taxable benefit.]

The new job would involve:

1. 20 minute car journey to train station 
2. 40 minute direct train to London Waterloo
3. 25 minute walk to office or 10 minute bike ride [there's some exercise] (or the electric scooters they have now) 

Total time you'd be looking at is about 1hr 15 mins if using the bike. It is broken up and involves just the one train. No WFH in the new job either.

My worry is that I would go from a job with complete flexibility to one where I'd be out of the house at 6:30am and not back until about 6:30pm. So time of exercise would be really difficult to find as I'd get home do dinner, be tired, etc.   [What are the working hours?  Leaving home at 6.30 am and a max 1.5 hour commute suggests an 8 am start with a back at home time suggesting finishing at 5 pm.  So 8 am to 5 pm?]

Has anyone done a similar commute? My gut is telling me it is too long and even if this may be a great job, it's just going to use up a lot of my free time for no pay reward. However, the opportunities it may give could make it worthwhile. Just a bit torn.
[I certainly did longer commutes - generally walk, tube, change tube line, walk - and went out a fair number of weekday evenings.  That was in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.)]

Is the long-term view for career progression something which should tip the balance to moving?

Hi - some really good points there. The main two things driving this move was:

1) I am bored in my current role and promotion is not very easy/likely or even a good option for me in my current organisation
2) The job I have gone for and been offered is in an area of work I am more interested in. More technical and with lots of learning/new things I've never dealt with before 

Your questions:

- It IS more senior, my wording around it being "technically" more senior was only as it wasn't really a pay rise (when looking at net income). It's public sector so pay isn't that great. But yes it is a step up. 

- The salary for the new job is £7k more - however travelling to work would wipe most of that out and I'd lose the work car I have now

- That's a really good point about exercise in the walk. That could be 40 minutes of walking there (2x20 minutes). I'd just have to consider how sweaty I'd turn up if it was hot weather and carrying a back pack!"

- Public sector hours, 37 hours per week, likely to be something like 830ish to 430ish or similar. Unlikely to have overtime unless travelling somewhere. 

- I've heard of many with longer commutes, but similarly a lot saying "ohhh I wouldn't do more than 30 minutes" which makes me doubt whether it's a good move or not. I'd keep myself entertained with kindle, noise cancelling headphones, etc.

TELLIT01

I wouldn't take a job with a commute of that length, irrespective of the perks of the job.  The furthest I've travelled has been 40 minutes and that got boring.  I was driving so couldn't use the time for anything constructive.  I've known people who have done 2 hours each way and haven't any issue with it. 

It is a choice that only you can make having carefully weighed up the pro's and con's.

MalMonroe

I'm with TELLIT01. Even your own gut is telling you not to take the job. Listen to it. For me, it would be no contest. Although it does boost one's confidence to be offered such jobs, I have to say. 

I'd still be looking for other, similar jobs either nearer home or with much more flexibility and not as much travelling (what if there are hold-ups, accidents, strikes, etc. that sometimes make travelling horrendous?)

That is not the only job in the world in your chosen field, surely? I'd have to politely decline. But feel flattered that I had been offered the job.

MalMonroe

TELLIT01 said:

I wouldn't take a job with a commute of that length, irrespective of the perks of the job.  The furthest I've travelled has been 40 minutes and that got boring.  I was driving so couldn't use the time for anything constructive.  I've known people who have done 2 hours each way and haven't any issue with it. 

It is a choice that only you can make having carefully weighed up the pro's and con's.

I agree with you. But you could have been learning a language on your 40 minute commute? Or something else you could listen to. I also had a 40 minute drive each way to my job but it wasn't boring. Now I'm self employed and nothing is boring. But that's another story .  .  .