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Original poster

Is this a 'normal' commute for most people?

131 replies

Celia24 · 05/10/2022 22:31

Im struggling with current commute and can't tell if it's mainly because I got so used to work from home and need perspective!

I joined a company during lockdown and worked from home for over a year. When I joined they said I might need to come in twice a week later on (not as much as other people as I live further away as do two other colleagues). They have only just made office working mandatory a year and a half in, initially trying for more days, but there was a bit of an uproar.

So now I'm travelling in twice a week 1 hour 50-2 hours door to door and I'm already struggling. Am I being ridiculous? In my old job it was 25 mins but I loathed the job!

OP posts:
marcopront · 05/10/2022 22:47

Mine is a five minute walk at the most. I love it.

Sunnytwobridges · 05/10/2022 22:47

That's a horrible commute. I did 2 hours each way for about five months til Covid and vowed I would never do that again. Well I would do it for 150K+ job maybe. lol

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/10/2022 22:47

An hour is normal, but you are only doing it twice a week, so seems fine. Work? Take a book?

Original poster
Celia24 · 05/10/2022 22:48

@NowThatsWhatICall22 I am trying to be positive - I read, listen to podcasts or draw (I'm an artist outside work).

I suppose nothing is stopping me continuing to look around at local jobs.

OP posts:
QuietQuietBang · 05/10/2022 22:49

Celia24 · 05/10/2022 22:41

@QuietQuietBang I've been staying over once a month, twice very occasionally (a standard one night here is about £100). But I really can't do that every week. On a higher salary maybe.

It sounds like quite a hard commute in that case.

Do you always get a seat on the train? If so then using that journey to read, listen to podcasts or nap can make a big difference.

Original poster
Celia24 · 05/10/2022 22:50

QuietQuietBang · 05/10/2022 22:49

It sounds like quite a hard commute in that case.

Do you always get a seat on the train? If so then using that journey to read, listen to podcasts or nap can make a big difference.

Show quote history

Yes, I always get a seat on the train. Never had to stand thankfully!

OP posts:
seagulldown · 05/10/2022 22:50

I did this once for a higher paying role (£60k), was meant to be 3 days a week in the office. I really tried to make it work as I didn't think I could earn that money again anywhere else. I tried to stay in a travelodge in between my days in the office to make the commute easier, but ultimately it broke me. My mental health took a massive decline and I've not been able to secure a job at that level since. I wouldn't do it again!

mondaytosunday · 05/10/2022 22:50

How much are you paying for your travel? That plus the commute would make it a no go for me. One hour max, which I did for a year, and was really sick of it by the end.

Original poster
Celia24 · 05/10/2022 22:53

mondaytosunday · 05/10/2022 22:50

How much are you paying for your travel? That plus the commute would make it a no go for me. One hour max, which I did for a year, and was really sick of it by the end.

£33 per day. It was on this basis that I approached my manager who is promising this bonus to ease costs...

A train employee told me about a card I can get which will give me a third off my future tickets which I'll definitely sign up to.

OP posts:
JanesLittleGirl · 05/10/2022 22:53

2 hours each way but I love my job and where I live. Also, DH WFH and is v.suoportive

Ozgirl75 · 05/10/2022 22:54

I wouldn’t hate it if it was quite “easy”, like the bus always turns up, you get a seat on the train, the trains are reliable etc. I quite like a long train ride if I have a good book. I wouldn’t want to do it every day but twice a week doesn’t sound too bad and I would stay over say every other week to make it even less.
When I was younger I had an hour commute and it was bus (that was unreliable), train (that was standing room only), tube (also standing room
only Waterloo and City line) and then a short walk and it was fairly crap as the whole thing was busy and packed.
Moved to Kent and had a 10 min drive to a station where it was easy to park, 35 min train but reliable and always got a seat and then a walk across London Bridge and although it was a little longer, it was less stressful just because the journey itself was ok.

QuietQuietBang · 05/10/2022 22:55

In my opinion it’s the changes and walking that make the commute unpleasant.

Sitting on a train, with a coffee and with my headphones in us quite a pleasure.

WhatsitWiggle · 05/10/2022 22:56

I once had that commute, also not a great paying role but an improvement on my previous job. Stuck it out for a year.

My commute now is 30-40 minutes depending on where the roadworks pop up. Have done that for 12 years. Was full time, now 2 office days a week.

I'd start looking around for other jobs closer. And in the meantime ask to reduce your office days - they may say no but you've not lost anything by asking. It's a candidates market.

RosesAndHellebores · 05/10/2022 22:56

Can you move closer to the job?

CeeceeBloomingdale · 05/10/2022 22:58

I work 12 miles away. I allow 90 minutes to drive there in the morning due to traffic but return after rush hour as I work compressed hours and its 25minutes including the walk to the car. I don't think your commute is that unusual if you're using public transport. Money saving expert had a code for 1/3 off railcards on the newsletter today so if you don't have one it's a good time to buy one.

Original poster
Celia24 · 05/10/2022 23:01

@RosesAndHellebores it's something I've considered on and off.

The thing is I bought my first home 2 years ago and it's finally feeling like 'home', decorated as I like it and cosy etc. I have friends living locally. On balance im not sure I would move for this job. I should mention I was dating a man who lived in the city I work in previously so I had more of a life there.

I actually started looking at listings for Mon-Fri only lets. There are some, again the cost is the issue.

OP posts:
LadyHelenaJustina · 05/10/2022 23:05

I used to do that three days a week (train to London, then tube to the office.) I did it for a few years, and it was worth it for the job I was doing. You’d have to pay me quite a lot to do it again, though.

Original poster
Celia24 · 05/10/2022 23:08

HilarityEnsues · 05/10/2022 22:42

That's 8 hours a week, for two days in the office. It sounds horrendous to me, one of the things that changed my life for the better was moving nearer to my work, moving from a 45-60 min commute either way to about 10 minutes either way. This was pre-Covid and now I work from home most days and much prefer it, with the odd day in the office. I would look around.

Working in the office once a week was really working for me so it's been a big shift.

Right now I'm considering going in tomorrow but I already have video meetings for most of the day because most customers I work with are still remote. Travelling all that way to sit on video calls.

OP posts:
FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 05/10/2022 23:10

I'd say that is long. I've done around 1 hr 20 into London which included main line train and tube. Hardest was driving, East Sussex/Kent which was 50 mins to 3 hrs each way depending on what happened.
Happy now, 50 mins each way direct train and 2/3 days a week

ReginaPerrin · 05/10/2022 23:11

I know where you’re coming from OP, and I sympathise. I’ve got a 90 min commute each way 2 days a week and It makes it a hell of a long day. I’m really not looking forward to doing it in the dark and cold! I’m probably going to look for another job.

I don’t think you’re being ridiculous at all.

DinosApple · 05/10/2022 23:11

That's a long commute even for two days a week.

My longest commute was an hour each way 5 days a week. Hated the commute, loved the job, the wage was merely ok.

Now I walk to work every day, but get paid peanuts.

willowstar · 05/10/2022 23:12

Mine is:

5 mins car to station
1 hr 40 on train when all is well...have been speed restrictions the last few weeks so currently over 2 hours but back to normal soon hopefully
30 minute walk

I only do it twice a week. Costs £460 month. Tried to do it more and I hated it.

Blowthemandown · 05/10/2022 23:13

That used to be my 5 day commute @Celia24 although not any more. At 2 days it’s ok and not uncommon. It does take some getting used to though!

QuietQuietBang · 05/10/2022 23:15

How many miles is the journey, and how long would it take by car or motorbike?

BBBBMushroom · 05/10/2022 23:16

My friend has done this for at least 5 years, to be honest it has wrecked her head at times. She has a very niche sort of job and earns a lot. Her considerably lower earning DH could find another job far more easily but won’t. She was then WFH for 2 years due to covid now it’s about 50/50.