New contract - 2hr commute
Discussion
Vaud said:
OP, can you flex start/finish times? In the summer a 7am-3pm work day would mean a reduced commute but also doing it all in daylight? Depends on how keen the company is on you being "present" for 9-5..
Yes there is that option. I need to work out the best times to commute.Perhaps I am better starting earlier and finishing earlier, would anyone know? I will be traveling from Harrow to Maidstone, Kent.
Start earlier I live near Brands Hatch if you're getting in work for 7am you'll do it in an hour going home at 3pm will maybe mean it stretches out to an hour & a (school run will have started) half & if you don't mind the cost use the bridge going to work & depending on traffic (the tunnel is usually rubbish by 3pm) head towards Heathrow when going home.
ZX10R NIN said:
Start earlier I live near Brands Hatch if you're getting in work for 7am you'll do it in an hour going home at 3pm will maybe mean it stretches out to an hour & a (school run will have started) half & if you don't mind the cost use the bridge going to work & depending on traffic (the tunnel is usually rubbish by 3pm) head towards Heathrow when going home.
Ok, let's try this.Thanks for all the replies.
I work in dartford Monday to Thursday, work from home Fridays. So far I’ve been using cheap hotels that cost £30-£40 a night. Food can get expensive but I just buy salads and fruit from supermarkets, as it’s very easy to start eating junk and fast good, which has a detrimental effect both physically and mentally.
That said, I am thinking about getting a 2 bed flat and letting out the second room to help with the costs and give me a more permanent base.
That said, I am thinking about getting a 2 bed flat and letting out the second room to help with the costs and give me a more permanent base.
Super Slo Mo said:
I work in dartford Monday to Thursday, work from home Fridays. So far I’ve been using cheap hotels that cost £30-£40 a night. Food can get expensive but I just buy salads and fruit from supermarkets, as it’s very easy to start eating junk and fast good, which has a detrimental effect both physically and mentally.
That said, I am thinking about getting a 2 bed flat and letting out the second room to help with the costs and give me a more permanent base.
I could be interested in that second room. Whereabouts in Dartford? I will be working on the high street in Maidstone.That said, I am thinking about getting a 2 bed flat and letting out the second room to help with the costs and give me a more permanent base.
AndStilliRise said:
I could be interested in that second room. Whereabouts in Dartford? I will be working on the high street in Maidstone.
That's mental frankly, worst of both worlds. You're living away from home and have given yourself (according to Google maps and without traffic) a 35+ minute commute.
If you're going to live away, find somewhere either within walking/cycling distance, or failing that 5-10 mins in a car
I normally AirB&B for the first week, and use this to make sure the contract is as advertised and look for a room rent that fits the criteria. Local knowledge of the area is invaluable, which also a good way to strike up conversations in the work place and get your boots under the table. Everyone loves giving advice.
I use www.spareroom.co.uk
Don't settle on something crap, you'll spend a good amount of time in this room, there are some real gems if you look hard enough.
Regarding commuting, I did a 2 hour each way commute, but that was on a train (and first class at that). Even spending the time watching films, or reading, or even a bit of personal software coding and it was still soul destroying. 13 hours working and travelling, have a meal, sit down with the family for a couple of hours (which pass incredibly quickly) and off to bed to do it all again.
Wouldn't even contemplate 4 hours per day on the M25 in a car
AndStilliRise said:
I could be interested in that second room. Whereabouts in Dartford? I will be working on the high street in Maidstone.
Don’t know yet. There are some fairly nice looking new builds close to the M25 or the M2. Not the town centre itself as the office is right on the M25. I want somewhere walking distance, so a mile or two from the office.
Probably a bit far from Maidstone although I guess it depends on the time of day.
My dad drives Maidstone to Dartford for his work and that's bad enough. It's 50/50 whether the M2 or the M20 is the best route and you'll always get caught in traffic heading towards the tunnel/Bluewater.
There's a Travelodge in the middle of town. £140 to stay Mon-Thurs and it's a 10 minute walk from where you'll be working.
I'm sure there will be lots of AirBnbs around though.
There's a Travelodge in the middle of town. £140 to stay Mon-Thurs and it's a 10 minute walk from where you'll be working.
I'm sure there will be lots of AirBnbs around though.
Brainpox said:
My dad drives Maidstone to Dartford for his work and that's bad enough. It's 50/50 whether the M2 or the M20 is the best route and you'll always get caught in traffic heading towards the tunnel/Bluewater.
There's a Travelodge in the middle of town. £140 to stay Mon-Thurs and it's a 10 minute walk from where you'll be working.
I'm sure there will be lots of AirBnbs around though.
The advantage of AirBnBs is that they tend to be a bit more homely, and you normally get access to a fridge, cooker, etc. Eating in your hotel room or eating out is ok for a week but not 4/7 days long term. There's a Travelodge in the middle of town. £140 to stay Mon-Thurs and it's a 10 minute walk from where you'll be working.
I'm sure there will be lots of AirBnbs around though.
Vaud said:
The advantage of AirBnBs is that they tend to be a bit more homely, and you normally get access to a fridge, cooker, etc. Eating in your hotel room or eating out is ok for a week but not 4/7 days long term.
Fair comment. At least it proves a point though. By the time you've paid for fuel and consumables on the car, including the depreciation from racking up 650 miles a week, plus the 4 hours a day you'll be losing, and the time you'll be using up during your time off to recover, the cost of staying local is nothing.Brainpox said:
Fair comment. At least it proves a point though. By the time you've paid for fuel and consumables on the car, including the depreciation from racking up 650 miles a week, plus the 4 hours a day you'll be losing, and the time you'll be using up during your time off to recover, the cost of staying local is nothing.
Oh I agree... I'd never do the commute. AndStilliRise said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Get a large scooter or a commuter bike you'll halve your commuting time (which in itself is priceless) as well as doing decent fuel.
Never ridden a scooter and I hate the cold.Bar muffs
Thermal oversuit
Thermoscud insulated apron (fits to scooter and protects legs/body from rain and wind)
You won't feel cold over a journey that short even down to low single-figure temps. I only get a bit chilly after a couple of hours at 1-2deg C
Look at it this way.
4 hours day. 20 hours a week. 80 hours a month which is 10 normal working days. So each month you effectively lose two whole weeks of work, sat in a car. Let's say a normal commute can be one hour, this means you lose one extra working week a month, or more than two months work a year. Think about that.
I did 2 hours each way for about a year, it was knackering as well, pretty much lost that year as weekends were squeezing in preparation for the next week and sleeping a bit on top......
4 hours day. 20 hours a week. 80 hours a month which is 10 normal working days. So each month you effectively lose two whole weeks of work, sat in a car. Let's say a normal commute can be one hour, this means you lose one extra working week a month, or more than two months work a year. Think about that.
I did 2 hours each way for about a year, it was knackering as well, pretty much lost that year as weekends were squeezing in preparation for the next week and sleeping a bit on top......
I feel for you. I'm just finishing a similar commute while contracting, but the the other way (Walderslade to Watford). WFH on a Friday makes it easier but it still takes it out of you.
You need to go south side as the Dartford crossing will be against you it's very slow moving north in the evenings.
If you need a Contract BA on your project I'm available next month
You need to go south side as the Dartford crossing will be against you it's very slow moving north in the evenings.
If you need a Contract BA on your project I'm available next month
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff