How long does it take you to get to work?

[2011butterfly]

I currently travel 4 miles to work that takes 15-20 minute drive.
However, I have accepted a job that is at least 45 minute drive, and the starting pay is not very good. On the positive side it is a step up role from what I currently work as and the new company offer lots of training because they are a 'IIP'.

I understand that everybody's situation is different, but I would like some thoughts from others. So what's the longest time you have or do travel to work? And in your experience was it/is it worth it?

Also given the circumstances that I can not find my ideal job in my city, I have to travel.

 

[My_First]

In my time the logest I have travelled is Reading to Hammersmith by car, during rush hour around an hour to an hour and 20 mins. I have also commuted Reading to Watford. M25 during rush hour around an hour and a half. Both were worth it, at the time, but were also worth it financially. I wouldnt do that sort of commute now with a little one, but as long as you can weigh up the finances against the fuel costs, (my fuel bills on those commutes were pushing £450 a month!), then I am of the mind that if the job is worth it then I wouldnt mind the distance.

 

[Lownthwaite]

I travel 5 miles by bus to get to work. It takes between 30 - 60 mins dependant on buses being on time, weather and traffic.

 

[2011butterfly]

In my time the logest I have travelled is Reading to Hammersmith by car, during rush hour around an hour to an hour and 20 mins. I have also commuted Reading to Watford. M25 during rush hour around an hour and a half. Both were worth it, at the time, but were also worth it financially. I wouldnt do that sort of commute now with a little one, but as long as you can weigh up the finances against the fuel costs, (my fuel bills on those commutes were pushing £450 a month!), then I am of the mind that if the job is worth it then I wouldnt mind the distance.

Thank you for your reply I'm actually relieved to find that others have or have had a long commute to work. I think that's the thing, for me it's not much improvement financially, but if I look at what the company can offer, that is training and experience, then it's worth it for me.

I think that a long commute will have bit of an affect on my social life, this includes spending quality time with my partner and delaying when we plan to have our first

Did you find that a long commute had an affect on any other part of your life?

 

[My_First]

I will say for the fist 6 months I was knackered, constantly. Because I just couldnt wind down within say 20 mins, and was still 'concerntrating' for another hour or so. BUT I did eventually get used to it. The only way it affected my social life was on Fridays, as i wouldnt tend to get home until 7:30pm - 8pm (M25 on Fridays is a nightmare!!), and so I would be too tired to go out, or if I did I would be rushing to get ready and yawning by 10pm! Also OH and I didnt do as many impromptu dinners out in the week, but we made the most of it at the weekends. If its right, I would say go for it! Its tough, but well worth it for the right job...

 

[Elpis_x]

I walk and it takes me just under 20 minutes. The longest I've ever traveled to work is 30 minutes by car and it was just for a rubbish bar job, terrible money and barely any hours

I think if it's for the right job that is paying you well and offering you a good role, then it's worth it

 

[Dinah93]

My current commute is around 50 minutes, just over an hour if I use the flexi time system and end up battling against the school traffic. I've been doing it for 5 1/2 years and I can't really imagine anything else now. My husband is currently commuting about 40mins (by bike, 25 by car) but all the jobs he's applying for currently are an hour and a half each way, as that's where the work is. It's not ideal as we'll have a new baby if and when he gets one of them, but he needs to take that next step up as he's just so sick of his current job as he doesn't feel like he's done anything new in over a year.

I've gotten very luckily in that my office just moved 10 miles further away, but to a town with a train station, and I live about 5 mins walk from the village train station here, so my commute will actually only be about 35mins when I go back after maternity leave, and I can spend that curled up with a book rather than stuck in traffic.