To consider a job that involves a 2hour commute?

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I have just applied for a job online. Really excited /enthusiastic about it; have been questioning my current role and whether it's for me, had a rubbish day and hit the nhs jobs website!

But it's a 2 hour each way commute into London. My kids are 9 and 14 and the role is part time (prob 3 days). It will be ok won't it? Experiences please!

4 hours a day assuming no delays? No, no way would I do that unless very short-term with serious pay. What's the length of your commute now?

About 40 mins by car

I used to do a two hour each way commute into London and it nearly killed me - really. And I didn't have any children.

I wouldn't apply personally.

Personally I wouldn't
Four hours is a lot to spend driving

Presume it's 2 hours by public transport. How much would that cost v how much extra you'd be paid? You don't have to put the figures here but need to factor that in.

So to consider...
What's the pay?
Would you need more childcare?
Is it more interesting work? With better chance of promotion?
How much would the journey cost and are you sure it's 2 hours?

I've done a slightly longer commute into London but moved house when in the job, if that makes sense. I did it every day for about 18 months. It was tough but I'd definitely be more inclined to do it again three days a week. One thing I would say is to consider how flexible hours are likely to be. I had fairly flexible hours at the time and was usually in before most people. But I definitely had more delays with travel issues than most. It was ok in a job I'd been in for a few years but one day it took me five hours to get to work.

It was also prechildren and a lot depends on how much local back up you have.

I loved the time to read and think though

It's two hours to the London office of the company I work for. The main issue is the cost and as a part timer you still need to buy a season ticket with a lower salary.

I wouldn't, sorry.

I did an hour each way for 10 years, then changed roles that meant driving in rush hour traffic which added another hour a day onto that. After 6 months I had had enough and transferred closer to home. A year on and I've just started a new job 10 minutes from home and the difference is amazing. the stress of sitting in traffic desperate to get home just isn't worth it for me.

It think it might be too stressful in addition to the role (specialist midwife) Thanks for your thoughts. I just love the thought of the job.

My commute to work used to take a minimum of 1.5hrs each way (driving). I wouldn't go back to that - over a week, that's 15 hrs travelling which equates to 2 additional 'work' days. It's rubbish and quality of life is more important.

I wouldn't do it but only you can decide!

My 23yo is doing a 2 hour each way commute into London to work. She is finding it hard and the trains are so unreliable. I suspect it will be very stressful for you.

My DP commuted 2 hours each way every day for about 5 years, but then he absolutely loved the job and the money was great. Sometimes it's worth it to be happy every day, if a bit knackered.

Depends on you and yours. I read things on here about commutes that seem insane to me. If you think u can do it without serious repercussions then it's up to you really. I wouldn't consider more than a 10 min commute

Either drive or sleep over in London

3 days a week that's OK, provided the job pays well enough to justify the season ticket. Five days a week I wouldn't do it. Those saying 'drive' haven't grasped the joy of uninterrupted reading time on trains

Sleepover twice a week, some places would do you a deal. I bet you could sleep over for close to same as the train fare.

No way would I consider it .

Thats an extra 12 hours a week when you're only working around 24 hours a week?

Done it for a year and a half. Never again! It's one of the reasons I'm currently a SAHM. For a short, fixed term, it might be worth considering if it's advantageous to your career. I ended up working late, sleeping under a desk in the office, working from 6 so I would miss at least one commute a week and do a half day work at home.

What's the specialist role ou

...t of interest?

yanbu - people do it. I work in London but live two hours away. I stay over 3 nights a week, which works for me as I'm originally from London area, so I socialise a lot. After 9 months though, I have come to the conclusion that the job (on paper great, in reality, not so much) is totally not worth the upheaval and I am looking to return to working locally. Train fares are also exorbitant - it worked out less than half the cost to stay over.

I would say, given my experience that it would be too much expense and upheaval to be worthwhile!

I'd probably try the route out and time it door to door in rush hour. What seemed like a 45 minute train into London and a 20 minute tube ride took me two hours each way.

I think you get people who commute well and those that don't. Those that don't are people like me - get wound up by other people on the train and the delays, can't settle to read, can't rest as such. Then it becomes exhausting. I lasted a year that was pre dc. I wouldn't do it now unless I were desperate. But I have friends who've done it for years. I think they read lots, listen to music, don't mind standing and generally enjoy the time.