To think a 55 minute commute is too long?

[Penguinotterfoxbadger]

So dp and I are buying a house in London.

The house he likes would mean my commute was a 20 minute walk to the tube, a 30 minute tube journey (with one change) and another 5 minute walk.

My preferred area would have only about a 5-10 minute walk to the tube (the rest of the journey would be v similar).

Aibu to care about the extra 20 - 30 mins travelling time per day? (He doesn't work because of health problems).

X

My DH does a 2 hour commute in both directions and we're nowhere near London. It's shit but he's survived.

You are the one doing the commute, so the only thing that matters is if you are OK with it.

It doesn't matter if other people have longer commutes (and fwiw, I have had some truly horrendous, over 2 hours each way commutes in my time, and actually think yours sounds absolutely fine )

But I don't think it would be unreasonable of you to hold out for something closer, if this is something you really feel strongly about.

I find it really shocking that so many people seem to find the prospect of walking for 40 minutes a day unbearable. It's no wonder there is an obesity problem.

Ha! I read your first post and was thinking how we moved a couple of years back from being a 10 minute walk to the tube to being a 20 minute walk (in order to get a much bigger house for the same money) - little did I realise it was the same area! We're not quite in Upper Walthamstow but very close, and it's a 20 minute walk from here. However, it's not a bad walk, and we have three buses to choose from to get to the tube. I suppose the pain about Upper Walthamstow is you only really have the 123 bus, which only takes you to Blackhorse Rd rather than Walthamstow Central (which is fine, but there are often no seats to be had on the tube by Blackhorse Rd in rush hour, so if you want a seat you have to hop on the northbound tube and change over at WC). Or if you're near Hale End Rd there's the 275.

Another thing to consider is that there is Wood St station rather nearer. My DH gets the train from there straight into the City, or you can change at WC for the tube. Only problem is it is zone 4 rather than zone 3.

PS Upper Walthamstow is really lovely, but have you considered looking the other side of the North Circular, Hale End or Highams Park, for slightly larger houses for the same money, and some v good schools? From there you would get the train from Highams Park and change at Walthamstow.

OP - I've lived all over London, in zones 1 2 3 and 4, since coming to Uni here and settling here (over a decade and a half). Nowhere has been less than a 40 minute commute door to door (and that includes a stint living just off high street ken as a student and commuting to uni in central London). Most average around 50 minutes to an hour. I'm currently in zone 2 - my commute door to door is 45 minutes. 50 minutes isn't that bad. But it sounds like its the 20 minute walk and the areas you walk through that you don't like - check out the nearby bus routes and if that would make you feel safer. I think its important you feel safe wherever you end up buying.

Like this: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49340927.html - not sure what your budget is, but this is a decent size 5 bed within catchment for Oak Hill primary and Highams Park secondary, less than 10 mins walk from Highams Park station?

Or a cheaper option, but great garden: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33359082.html

And I promise all of you the walk from Walthamstow Central to Upper Walthamstow is absolutely fine, not what I would call gritty at all! The dodgier areas of Walthamstow are the other direction from the tube.

Ah darn it name change fail

Ha, actually I have a friend who lives in Walthamstow and it was a bit of a walk to her house from the tube. I'm sure there must be a bus though. The 'Bus Times' app for iPhone is the single most livechanging app I've ever got (and you can also text for real-time bus information) so I just time when I leave the house accordingly.

I'd like the short walk, but do you have a long standing ambition to master roller blades?

This thread makes me glad I don't live in London. I've been doing 25mins commute to a different location rather than my usual 10mins and been having a bit if a sulk about it. I think I'll not complain anymore.

OP I think it's an extra 30 minutes a day you could spend with your DH (or DCs ?) or just doing anything more fun than travelling. I work it out at almost 120 hours a year, you could do a lot in 120 hours.

I walk 20 min to the tube , well tbh it is 15-20min, and i like it. I must be weird but it is my favourite part of the day. It is a great exercise, it lifts my mood and it clears my mind.
I even like it when it rains (weirdo face). I always have music on.

The annoying bit in your commute is not the 20 min walk but having to change train in rush time and probably stand up, imo.

You can take bus from upper waltjamstow to the tube but it is better to walk.
Perhaps walk in the morning and take bus in the evening?

I just don't understand how a 20-min walk can be seen as such a big issue by so many posters. As someone said upthread, it's no surprise there's an obesity problem in this country. My DS walks further than that most mornings, and he's two.
I wouldn't contemplate driving or getting the bus somewhere that is a 20-min walk away, and nor would most people I know (live oop North, v hilly).

Anyway, back to the point. over the last decade I've done commutes from hell (1hr 45min each way - tram, train, walk), pretty nasty commutes (hour on M62) and blissful commutes (20 min run or 40 min walk each way).

The latter has made a huge difference to my life. Hour-long commutes are normal, for London or elsewhere, but that doesn't make them fun.
I would avoid it if possible, just because - with my new short commute on foot - I'm less stressed than when I was juggling trams and trains every morning.

I love walking but wouldn't want to have to do that as part of a daily commute. Not just the weather but when you're suited and booted for a meeting or carrying heavy stuff or it's August and you start the working day feeling manky and sweaty...

House prices are ridiculous in London - plus, finding decent schools can be a real headache.

You could probably get a much bigger/nicer house outside London and travel in using the train/bus in a shorter time.

For example you can get from many places in Hertfordshire/Essex through to central London in about 30 minutes.

I do think it should be your choice as you are the one who is going to have to do it.

Where do you have to get to for work? (roughly)

Yabu.

I think that sort of time frame in London is average.

My commute is around an hour and I am happy with it. More than an hour and I wouldn't be.

I think you should adjust to getting the bus. London busses are great (and cheaper than the tube). Just wrap up in winter.

I have a 10 min drive, 45 min train journey 5 min walk then reverse for way home.

I don't like it, I used to only be a 15 min drive but it's a better job, benefits, prospects.

I'm going back part time after maternity leave & will only be travelling 3 days a week so that will be much better.

I use the train journey to watch tv on Iplayer, do my grocery shopping etc.

In the 2 years since I changed jobs I've had an operation so was off sick, got pregnant & was ill in pregnancy so more time off sick plus maternity leave. Also got 2 pay rises & I'm going back to promotion.

I had no benefits or flexible working in my last job & would never have commuted to it. I'm glad I made the jump as it's paid off.

Depends on your priorities so you are neither BU or BR.

A similar commute put me off many a school morning. A hurried walk with sleet in my face, carrying heavy bag(s), to then stand with my face in someone's armpit, uncomfortably hot because there'd been no time/space to remove the outer-clothes necessary for the initial walk, followed by the jostling to get off the train before another (admittedly much shorter) walk to school, in what felt like a rapid white water ride of people rushing like a current you move with or drown under, before getting to put down the bag that had been digging into your hot but damp with freezing water's shoulder. Then can you pee before the bell goes or will your morning wee that wasn't quite ready when you left the house at 7.35 have to wait until gone 10.30 to evacuate itself?

Bringing back memories and I sympathise with my teen self, forgiving her for often giving up by Thursday, or at least Friday, skiving under the duvet or at the haven of boyfriend's flat.

And ... all this in the suburbs so similar in London would be a horror I would have to avoid for self-preservation, or know that I'd end up failing through quitting.

Apologies for the horrid sentence structures above- emotive garbled response...

However, if it were a straight 55min drive on mainly clear and straight roads, or a single quiet bus or train journey I would say you were probably BU. As it is, that commute sounds like one I'd avoid for my sanity, as well as confidence, as to attempt that long term would just be setting myself up for failure.

Have you researched all transport routes? If that commute really is the best option then yanbu to avoid that location.

Mine's 50 minutes and it doesn't seem long at all. I like having the time to myself, especially after work. I can unwind on the journey and then arrive home ready for a relaxing evening.

On the other hand, mine is all car since the train takes 2.5 hours. I don't think I'd find my commute anywhere near as pleasant on public transport.

We all have different ideas of what's a nice and reasonable commute, I think only you can answer this, OP.

What a baby you are, OP! I had a walk of 5 mins to catch a bus for a journey of 10 mins to an underground station, 50 mins on the underground train and a 10 min walk to work. Reverse in the evening,

Do you expect the work place to come to you?

I wouldn't do it (unless maybe for a very good job).

I had an hour's bus journey each way to school and as soon as I left vowed I'd never again waste my life commuting.

I'm 33 and have always lived in walking/cycling distance to work. My current commute is my shortest yet - 8 mins on foot!

I think a commute of 55 mins isn't bad at all for London, but I agree that 20 mins walk to tube is probably too long. There will be many many days when that will be very miserable!

The commute is to Charing Cross so I know the obvious choice would be living in a town south of London but I'm just not quite ready for suburbia! Also, the nice places in the commuter belt aren't much cheaper than staying in London...