Turn around time
Discussion
We've had a few threads about acceptable length of commute. But what's acceptable in terms of length of day including travelling?
I'm currently travelling into central London from south Bucks 4 or 5 days a week, three hours travelling altogether. From getting home in the evening to setting off next morning is about 11 hours, anything less than 12 seems a bit tight to me and this is certainly taking it out of me. What's typical?
I'm currently travelling into central London from south Bucks 4 or 5 days a week, three hours travelling altogether. From getting home in the evening to setting off next morning is about 11 hours, anything less than 12 seems a bit tight to me and this is certainly taking it out of me. What's typical?
"Holding all else equal, the ONS found that on average, compared with non-commuters, commuters have: lower life satisfaction; a lower sense that their daily activities are worthwhile; lower levels of happiness; and higher anxiety."
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/02February/Pages/Commu...
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/02February/Pages/Commu...
Each to their own, but if you feel its starting to impact your life, you need to change.
I have worked 12 hour shifts with 1.5 hours commute each way, at the time it was necessary, I had to make ends meet. Today I leave home at half 8 for a 9 start and I'm home again by half 5. I would struggle to adjust back to the old job.
I have worked 12 hour shifts with 1.5 hours commute each way, at the time it was necessary, I had to make ends meet. Today I leave home at half 8 for a 9 start and I'm home again by half 5. I would struggle to adjust back to the old job.
Like the OP, I travel from a similar start point into Central (well, East) London and back every day.
Whilst the commute can get on my nerves a bit, most of the pain has been taken away with the purchase of an Amazon Fire tablet and subscription to Amazon Prime.
Now, I spend the 1.5 hours each way watching movies and box set TV shows.
Whilst I realise this doesn't help with the overall "time out of the house" situation, it ensures I'm in a better mood at both ends of the journey.
Whilst the commute can get on my nerves a bit, most of the pain has been taken away with the purchase of an Amazon Fire tablet and subscription to Amazon Prime.
Now, I spend the 1.5 hours each way watching movies and box set TV shows.
Whilst I realise this doesn't help with the overall "time out of the house" situation, it ensures I'm in a better mood at both ends of the journey.
Leave the flat in Beckeham at 06:15 each morning, generally back between 18:30 and 20:30 depending on workload.
Occasionally have to WFH as I prefer that to working into the night at my desk, commute on on a motorbike which is a good way to chill and ~30 mins there and ~40 back owing to traffic.
Occasionally have to WFH as I prefer that to working into the night at my desk, commute on on a motorbike which is a good way to chill and ~30 mins there and ~40 back owing to traffic.
A reluctant commuter's tale. TL/DR - commuting sucks. NEVER leave the big City.
I moved to London in 1984 after leaving university, and stayed in London until 2013, usually living about twenty minutes in a cab from the centre of town. In 2013 I went to live in South Oxfordshire, and the commute takes about three hours a day. This has been one of the very worst decisions that I have ever made. OK, so I have a bigger pace to live, lots of room for stupid cars and stupid bikes, and the countryside is attractive. Also, the Chiltern Line is usually fast, on time, has wifi and so on and I always get a seat; but God how I hate the commuting. I also can't stand the tedium and lack of spontaneity in country life, the absence of cultural life and decent restaurants (gastro pubs are boring, and you cannot go to Le Manoir every week); and the smug reactionary attitudes of the affluent Tory and UKIP types who abound in the area. Next year I plan to move back into London, and will settle for even a small flat in an OK ish area just so that I can be back in the Great Wen, heart of all that is fabulous in life.
I feel a bit like some Russian writer of the nineteenth century who has pissed of the Tsar and has to go and live in Omsk or Vladivostok for five years, banned from St Petersburg. The exile ends next year.
I moved to London in 1984 after leaving university, and stayed in London until 2013, usually living about twenty minutes in a cab from the centre of town. In 2013 I went to live in South Oxfordshire, and the commute takes about three hours a day. This has been one of the very worst decisions that I have ever made. OK, so I have a bigger pace to live, lots of room for stupid cars and stupid bikes, and the countryside is attractive. Also, the Chiltern Line is usually fast, on time, has wifi and so on and I always get a seat; but God how I hate the commuting. I also can't stand the tedium and lack of spontaneity in country life, the absence of cultural life and decent restaurants (gastro pubs are boring, and you cannot go to Le Manoir every week); and the smug reactionary attitudes of the affluent Tory and UKIP types who abound in the area. Next year I plan to move back into London, and will settle for even a small flat in an OK ish area just so that I can be back in the Great Wen, heart of all that is fabulous in life.
I feel a bit like some Russian writer of the nineteenth century who has pissed of the Tsar and has to go and live in Omsk or Vladivostok for five years, banned from St Petersburg. The exile ends next year.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 18th June 07:16
Breadvan72 said:
A reluctant commuter's tale. TL/DR - commuting sucks. NEVER leave the big City.
I moved to London in 1984 after leaving university, and stayed in London until 2013, usually living about twenty minutes in a cab from the centre of town. In 2013 I went to live in South Oxfordshire, and the commute takes about three hours a day. This has been one of the very worst decisions that I have ever made. OK, so I have a bigger pace to live, lots of room for stupid cars and stupid bikes, and the countryside is attractive. Also, the Chiltern Line is usually fast, on time, has wifi and so on and I always get a seat; but God how I hate the commuting. I also can't stand the tedium and lack of spontaneity in country life, the absence of cultural life and decent restaurants (gastro pubs are boring, and you cannot go to Le Manoir every week); and the smug reactionary attitudes of the affluent Tory and UKIP types who abound in the area. Next year I plan to move back into London, and will settle for even a small flat in an OK ish area just so that I can be back in the Great Wen, heart of all that is fabulous in life.
I feel a bit like some Russian writer of the nineteenth century who has pissed of the Tsar and has to go and live in Omsk for Vladivostok or five years, banned from St Petersburg. The exile ends next year.
We moved out of Parsons Green a year ago virtually to the day. Feel your pain - even if 'the regions' aren't without their own upsides.I moved to London in 1984 after leaving university, and stayed in London until 2013, usually living about twenty minutes in a cab from the centre of town. In 2013 I went to live in South Oxfordshire, and the commute takes about three hours a day. This has been one of the very worst decisions that I have ever made. OK, so I have a bigger pace to live, lots of room for stupid cars and stupid bikes, and the countryside is attractive. Also, the Chiltern Line is usually fast, on time, has wifi and so on and I always get a seat; but God how I hate the commuting. I also can't stand the tedium and lack of spontaneity in country life, the absence of cultural life and decent restaurants (gastro pubs are boring, and you cannot go to Le Manoir every week); and the smug reactionary attitudes of the affluent Tory and UKIP types who abound in the area. Next year I plan to move back into London, and will settle for even a small flat in an OK ish area just so that I can be back in the Great Wen, heart of all that is fabulous in life.
I feel a bit like some Russian writer of the nineteenth century who has pissed of the Tsar and has to go and live in Omsk for Vladivostok or five years, banned from St Petersburg. The exile ends next year.
There is a great deal to be said for a short and pleasant commute.
When we sold our our flat in bow we very nearly purchased a thatched house on the outskirts of bishop stortford. Half an acre garden, 4 bed detached, very secluded etc.
We ended up in a much smaller terraced house in Leytonstone next to the Olympic park with, in comparison , a tiny garden.
But my mates are all here, it's a cheap quick and fun commute into town on the bike, there are lots of interesting restaurants and bars and pubs and there's always someone to go for a pint with.
As bv72 has indicated, you might get a massive house, land, parking etc out in the sticks , but if the commute and lack of buzz makes you unhappy, all of that means absolutely nothing.
When we sold our our flat in bow we very nearly purchased a thatched house on the outskirts of bishop stortford. Half an acre garden, 4 bed detached, very secluded etc.
We ended up in a much smaller terraced house in Leytonstone next to the Olympic park with, in comparison , a tiny garden.
But my mates are all here, it's a cheap quick and fun commute into town on the bike, there are lots of interesting restaurants and bars and pubs and there's always someone to go for a pint with.
As bv72 has indicated, you might get a massive house, land, parking etc out in the sticks , but if the commute and lack of buzz makes you unhappy, all of that means absolutely nothing.
I'm a shift worker and generally do 9-11 hour shifts. Commute is 20 minutes max by car and no traffic as I travel out with rush hour. Working longer shifts means more days off (used to be 8 hr days)
Working for emergency service means I get held on a couple of times a month for a few hours without any notice which can be a pain missing family occasions or needing childcare but overall I'm happy as its either cash or time off to use elsewhere, I'd rather do a few extra hours when I'm at work anyway and use the time to take full days off.
I could never do a commute of more than 45 mins. That would be soul destroying. I personally reckon 12 hours including travel for 4 days a week is about right for a balance.
Working for emergency service means I get held on a couple of times a month for a few hours without any notice which can be a pain missing family occasions or needing childcare but overall I'm happy as its either cash or time off to use elsewhere, I'd rather do a few extra hours when I'm at work anyway and use the time to take full days off.
I could never do a commute of more than 45 mins. That would be soul destroying. I personally reckon 12 hours including travel for 4 days a week is about right for a balance.
Edited by david mcc on Saturday 17th June 10:06
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