Long distance commuters - Talk to me

[GT03ROB]

Shnozz said:

GT03ROB said:

I used to do Ringwood to Farnborough, A31, M27, M3.... 65 miles door to door.

My solution move to Kazakhstan.....

I know particularly the M27 and M3 can be bad, but I am surprised Kazakhstan to Farnborough proved easier.

An 8 eight hour commute once a month is a damn site easier than a 75min one twice a day 5 days a week!

[joropug]

I've been doing a lot of man maths. I think a part time job at home might be a better option for the time being. Much less risk involved than leaving what I've got (a pretty good thing).

FYI when I used to drive to Croydon (Purley way as abovez the Hilton hotel) I used to leave at 5:30. It would take about 1.5hrs but if I left half an hour later it would add at least an hour on. I don't mind getting up early to beat the masses, it's the drive home more than anything .

[kuro]

I do 75 miles from the south hams to Exeter and back four days a week. It's an easy 50/60 minute journey most of the time with minor holdups in Exeter. After 5 years it grates a bit but it's bearable.

Listening to the daily traffic reports on LBC re the jams in and around London there's no way I'd consider a commute involving the m25.

[Toaster Pilot]

I live in Gloucester and work in Southwark

Hotel 2-3 nights a week (in Croydon, £25-£65 a night) 20 minute train journey to London Bridge

Peak train Gloucester to London is £160 return, I take the coach instead for £10-£15 however it is longer and definitely not for everyone.

It’s a 2.5-3.5 hour drive each way / 2 and a bit hour train journey so I’d imagine quite similar to you - based on a quick google anyway, similar distance - I couldn’t hack doing that every day. Have driven in and back on the same day occasionally, traffic in central London even when leaving early to get out earlier is hell.

Edited by Toaster Pilot on Thursday 5th July 23:05

Edited by Toaster Pilot on Thursday 5th July 23:05

Edited by Toaster Pilot on Thursday 5th July 23:07

[Opel-GT]

tejr said:

Get the train..

^^ this

[Cloudy147]

I used to do a 60 mile 90 Min - 2 hours each way every day. After two years I became a very angry man. Its a depressing thing to be doing, I wouldn't recommend it.

I ended up moving to a flat share just two miles away from the office. Best thing I ever did. I was happier, had more time and more money too!

If you can't move closer, I'd seriously evaluate if you need the extra pay 'that' much. I wouldn't commute any further than. An hour at maximum unless I really needed the money.

Good luck either way!

[ZX10R NIN]

To all of you unless you're carrying large thing into work , I don't see why you wouldn't ride in from Kent driving into the City of London everyday would take 1.5-2 hours a day on the bike it takes 35-50 minutes plus 5 minutes to take off my gear in the winter months, I park the bike outside for free with no congestion charge to worry about either also on the longer runs when I have to go to Derby Manchester etc I normally reach my destination form anything from 1-3 hours before they do.

As I said earlier you get so much time back plus your not stressed by being stuck in traffic & on commutes like the OP's if it costs you 5k all in for the first year it's worth it as the second year it'll only cost fuel & maintenance, all in all a win win.

[GIYess]

I used to do a 1hr 45 journey in car. Changed to train and it was a lot less stressful. You could switch off when you got on the train and you grow to hate the car if your in it that much!

[Jaroon]

Nothing to add re the OP but my admiration to those of you doing these long commutes for your careers and by extension your families. It worries me for my kids if this is becoming the norm if you want a decent job but I'm sure there are lots of examples of short commutes. Well mine is very short but it's shift work so traffic is less of an issue yet many of my colleagues choose to live up to an hour away, I mean they relocated for this job but still chose a long commute due house prices or whatever. Nicer house but 2 hours less with your family, I guess they've all worked out what's best for them.

Not gloating at all but these threads help remind me how lucky I am, even when the alarm goes off at 3am

[Shnozz]

Jaroon said:

Nothing to add re the OP but my admiration to those of you doing these long commutes for your careers and by extension your families. It worries me for my kids if this is becoming the norm if you want a decent job but I'm sure there are lots of examples of short commutes. Well mine is very short but it's shift work so traffic is less of an issue yet many of my colleagues choose to live up to an hour away, I mean they relocated for this job but still chose a long commute due house prices or whatever. Nicer house but 2 hours less with your family, I guess they've all worked out what's best for them.

Not gloating at all but these threads help remind me how lucky I am, even when the alarm goes off at 3am

I am minded to agree. Life is often a large compromise but that is a big chunk of your life devoted to travelling instead of nicer things. Its often bad enough that work gets in the way of family or leisure but to add to that hours each day on travelling to that work and it seems a very large sacrifice.

I did it once upon a time but I was young and impressionable (and saw pound signs). I don't think I would ever do it again. More to life than money.