I think my new job commute is just too long and expensive

alyssadrysdale

So, I started a new job about three weeks ago, and although the job is fine, the commute is a bit less enjoyable. 
I have to take a 40 minute train and then a 20 minute bus ride. So, altogether, it is just over an hour. However, I am having to get up before 6am to make the first train and I am not getting back until about 6:30pm (if I don't go to gym after work, and both transports are doing okay). 

I was made redundant from my old job, so this was a bit of a panic select. I have zero issue commuting to work, but for some reason, I am always exhausted; even when I go to bed early and get some good sleep. It is costing me £233 a month in train and bus fare. I take the train regularly, but not the bus so I wasn't 100% aware of the bus costs until I started doing it. Younger me would have been fine with this commute, but I think panicked me didn't think far enough ahead - that is my own fault. 

I have been looking for other jobs, but I am not sure if I just haven't given this enough time. I am just a little too tired and I am already slightly dreading doing this long term, but I would feel terrible handing my notice in. However, that is just a me thing. 

sammyjammy

Keep at it if you can whilst looking for something with less of a commute.  Do they offer flexible working?  5 days over 4 for example, that might help.  The Jobcentre expect people to look for work with an up to 90 minute commute these days just to give some context.

Could you take a bike and cycle the bus section?  That would help with fitness/fresh air and finances.

DullGreyGuy

alyssadrysdale said:

So, I started a new job about three weeks ago, and although the job is fine, the commute is a bit less enjoyable. 
I have to take a 40 minute train and then a 20 minute bus ride. So, altogether, it is just over an hour. However, I am having to get up before 6am to make the first train and I am not getting back until about 6:30pm (if I don't go to gym after work, and both transports are doing okay). 

I was made redundant from my old job, so this was a bit of a panic select. I have zero issue commuting to work, but for some reason, I am always exhausted; even when I go to bed early and get some good sleep. It is costing me £233 a month in train and bus fare. I take the train regularly, but not the bus so I wasn't 100% aware of the bus costs until I started doing it. Younger me would have been fine with this commute, but I think panicked me didn't think far enough ahead - that is my own fault. 

I have been looking for other jobs, but I am not sure if I just haven't given this enough time. I am just a little too tired and I am already slightly dreading doing this long term, but I would feel terrible handing my notice in. However, that is just a me thing. 

What's an acceptable commute is very personal and also somewhat location specific, for those in the south east a 1hr commute is considered fairly short and many are well over an hour. 

Sounds like the total journey is longer? Do you live next door to the train station? Does the bus drop you off right next to the office? How long is the interchange? If it is longer then that may also be why it feels longer and having more of an impact than you would think. 

My longest commute was 1hr 45 each way which was ok, I did learn how to sleep on the train as part of it too. Know a chap doing 3hrs each way but he intentionally goes first on the train to guarantee it being quieter and time for sleep; not sure I could do that distance. 

p00hsticks

Have you considered moving closer to work , or is that not an option ?

twopenny

Probably doesn't help that it's a new job so you're thinking all the time plus having to be alert to catching the train and bus.
Then you add the leftover from anxiety about being made redundant and applying desperately for jobs.
Not surprising you're tired.

It should hopefully get easier as you settle into it and in the meantime look at the area, what jobs may be available nearer.
If you try and move too quickly it may not look good to other employers who think you may skip out on them.

But I'm thinking you need a rest then something relaxing and fun in the evening. Perhaps find something that combines exercise with fun rather than another treadmill 🙂 that is the gym.

I had a moorland commute and in winter felt I'd done a days work by the time I arrived.
I found swimming refreshing to knock the corners off the day and came out washed and the rest was all my own.
Table tennis, tennis, badminton all exercise but with a social aspect that doesn't involve the work group and doesn't go on late.

General_Grant

alyssadrysdale said:

So, I started a new job about three weeks ago, and although the job is fine, the commute is a bit less enjoyable. 
I have to take a 40 minute train and then a 20 minute bus ride. So, altogether, it is just over an hour. However, I am having to get up before 6am to make the first train and I am not getting back until about 6:30pm (if I don't go to gym after work, and both transports are doing okay). 

I was made redundant from my old job, so this was a bit of a panic select. I have zero issue commuting to work, but for some reason, I am always exhausted; even when I go to bed early and get some good sleep. It is costing me £233 a month in train and bus fare. I take the train regularly, but not the bus so I wasn't 100% aware of the bus costs until I started doing it. Younger me would have been fine with this commute, but I think panicked me didn't think far enough ahead - that is my own fault. 

I have been looking for other jobs, but I am not sure if I just haven't given this enough time. I am just a little too tired and I am already slightly dreading doing this long term, but I would feel terrible handing my notice in. However, that is just a me thing. 

Are you paying individually for your bus journeys (generally £3 single fare cap but less in London) or are you using multi-journey/season ticket for the bus?  (I've assumed you are using a season ticket for the train.)
As £233 isn't a huge cost, I expect you are taking advantage of lower fares but thought I'd check.

Grumpy_chap

alyssadrysdale said:

the commute is a bit less enjoyable. 
altogether, it is just over an hour.
I am having to get up before 6am to make the first train and I am not getting back until about 6:30pm 

Are you certain on the timings?
6 am out of bed.
7 am leave house. 
8 am arrive at work (after the 1-hour commute).
5:30pm leave work.
6:30 pm arrive back home (after the 1-hour commute).

That means a working day 8 am to 5:30 pm.  9.5 hours less 0.5 hour lunchbreak, so 9 hour working day.  Is that correct?  45 hour working week

kimwp

It might be (lack of) hydration and/or the noise on your commute that's making you feel tired. Also, if it's a new job, your brain will be working hard to learn everything and getting to know new people, new rules, new office politics.

TELLIT01

I wouldn't be happy with that length/time of commute each day either.  Longest I've done was about 40 minutes each way and that was by car.  At least then I didn't have to get to stations etc.

I was happy when the jobs ended, along with the commutes.