Long arse commute / good job

[Jobdistance]

NC as past posts outing.

have been offered a new role, salary very good, job strong future prospects.

majority wfh, 1/2 days a week would need to be in office miles away (think London to Manchester) Offered company car but would prefer train.

partner could be at home on days/ eves am in office to be there for kids / house stuff

wwyd.

I did a similar commute two days a week for two years - it was three hours door-to-door each way. Left home at 7.30, got back at 7; shorter time 'in work' on those days so longer 'in work' on the other three days. Not possible for me to do overnight due to personal circumstances. No children or partner. Luckily I loved the job and my colleagues but it was exhausting!

What is the journey really like? Who pays for travel (and overnight accommodation if you do two days)? Also tax implications that I can't remember for paid T&S.

What are your own personal energy levels? Some might love this, I found it hard.

What is your husband/his job actually available to do on the days you're WOH? It requires a firm change in commitment from him too.

I did read a lot of books in those two years 😁 I used to work (as far as possible) on the journey down then read/podcasts on the journey home.

I'd take it if you want the job. I do similar and have for about 10 years. Initially, it was wfh 2-3 days and in office 2-3 days. My office is in London and I'm 2.5 hours away by train. Now, hardly anyone goes in, so it's more 2 days a month, but I wouldn't mind going in more regularly if I could justify the expense.

Honestly, I really enjoy the commute - it's solid working time when no one can both me so I get a lot done, which frees up evenings when lots of my colleagues have to still be working. It also gives me time to read a book or listen to a podcast on the way home if I am finished with work. It also means that I get out of the school run/homework/cooking dinner slog on those days - which is fantastic. Not that I do it all every other day, but even just being at home and hearing kids bickering through the wall while I'm working and dh is trying to sort stuff out is stressful. And it means that dh has to be as hands on a me, so our relationship is very equitable (it was anyway, but this gives us no other option).

It's actually really nice adult time to have a long commute, and some days I even stay over. I have to be in for an early meeting in a few weeks, so staying over, and I'm taking myself out to the theatre to see a show the night before to make the most of it!

Am I right that currently you're not home till 7pm 3-4 days or week? And in the new job you'd be home at 9pm 1-2 days per week, but around the rest of the time (albeit WFH, but still in the house for them to show you their school art work or whatever)? Would the difference in time away from the kids actually amount to much?

What age are the kids?
You can sleep and work on the train and do your makeup.
Chances are there might be days you can leave the office at 3pm instead of 5.30.
I get it's very hard to leave the kids especially if they are small, like under age 7.
Because staying over night you are 'gone' 2 whole days. I'd find that tough.
If they are a bit older it's easier.

Offered company car but would prefer train.

Would you expense the cost of your train journeys or would they give you a car allowance instead and you fund the train journeys from that? Have you looked at the tax implications of both options? 🌹

I wouldn’t do it. I had to do a 5 hour round trip once a fortnight and dreaded those long days. It’s not for me, but then again I love WFH and would protect that at all costs (not fussed about higher wage, can’t buy this flexibility)