What would you choose- job enjoyment or a good work-life balance?

[Katandmouse]

My DH has been offered two jobs (this is after a very long time struggling in a low paid and not particularly enjoyable job so a big relief) One is in the industry he loves and looks like an interesting job. But it’s well over an hour’s commute away in London (no home working option). The other is with the company he’s currently at but a much more senior and better paid role. Job won’t be very interesting but he can do it with no issues, it’s 15 mins walk away and there’s no expectation to work beyond the standard 9-5. I’m interested in what route others would choose! DH is really torn, as am I. It would be great for him to continue being close by, able to see kids after work and help with school runs, clubs etc. However the other job is more closely aligned with what he loves doing, and that he’s spent a number of years working towards. Salaries are similar after travel’s been taken into account. WWYD?

Job no.2 for me working closely to home is a no brainer imo

How old are your children? I'm inclined to say enjoyable job, but that's where my head is at as mine are slightly older now.

No kids here which might colour my view but I've done the easy, relatively well paid, standing on my head job and it killed me as it was so boring! Interesting but more tricky existence every time.

Kids are 9 and 7. They def still benefit from DH being around more in the week. My job is very flexible so logistically we can manage without him helping - but the kids do like him being around!

I would take job no 2, but that’s me- I have a
child with sen who will always need extra support, plus I’m more interested in making the most of down time rather than my career these days, but what does your DH want? What are your finances like?

Take the nearby promotion for sure

Nearby job until the kids are older

Reasoning: the annoyance of the commute will overshadow the benefit of being interested in the work.

Why doesn't he take the local promotion then apply for flexible working? If he can afford to take the lower paid, further away job, then he can follow his interests in the reduced hours, perhaps training/waiting for a local version of the interesting job.

Win win.

The long and stressful commute would put me off. Time spent commuting is time wasted. Its also a waste of money. Have you taken that into account with expenses rising across the board? I would go for the easy journey and the more routine role. There may be things he could to to make it more challenging and interesting,

2nd one.

Thanks all! Bit of a mix of opinions but it looks like more think the local / less interesting one is the more popular choice. I realise I didn’t make it clear enough that both roles will result in similar pay- the interesting / further away one will pay a bit more but it evens out once travel is taken into account. They’ll both pay more than he currently gets.
If that sways anyone’s opinion!

Whichever pays more.

One nearer home

I take the job nearer home. If he takes the job further away he will be commuting at least 2 to 3 hours a day. He could be expected to work overtime on a regular basis.
The commute could take longer some days. I know you said that after the commute cost the wages will be the same. Commuting costs can rise a lot from year to year.
Along with this you have a child of 7 & 9. It's nice if he around in the evenings to bring them to things rather than leaving it all to you. As kids become adults they remember the days when dad brought them places.

The one he ll enjoy more. I did the opposite, picked an easier life, and now regret it like mad. Blred, bored!

If there's no ability to WFH even one day a week in the more interesting role, I'd take the local role.

Over 2 hours a day commuting will become very boring quickly!

The one further away IF it's a springboard into more London-y type better paid jobs

The local one sounds great for continuity of service but also sounds like a bit of career stagnation?

The interesting one. I commute over an hour each way and tbh don't even notice it anymore! My job is busy, varied and we have a great team . I recently looked for roles closer to home and whilst better paid, the thought of going back to a more standing on my head job just to be close to home filled me with dread and i could feel the boredom radiating off the page!

I'd take the job with better work life balance. In my experience if the logistics aren't right (long travel times, missing time with the family etc) a job you love can soon turn into one you hate.

Closer job. 2 hrs + commuting would be a killer with young kids, assuming he had to leave to be there for 9 and finished at 5 on a good day he’s out the house at least 8 till 6.. allow for traffic delays that easily becomes 7 till 7 so minimal family time. Sounds like the money will be the same so it comes down to how much he would hate the closer job over tine with family…

I would pick whichever one would set me up best for further career progression, I think it’s important to think long term about your career.
If the close to home job is one that he might end up getting stuck in then he could resent it especially if he’s bored every day.

Local because to me that adds enjoyment you'll lose with the other. So in "enjoyment" stakes they are both equal to that extent.

The interesting one!
An hour commute is pretty standard in a professional role isn't it?
Out of the house between 8-6 is also not a particularly long day and still get loads of time with kids of that age.

I think with children that age I'd choose the easier one, as long as its not dead end or closing off future opportunities.
It's not an easy choice though OP.