to think a great job may not be worth a 50 min commute?

[Ondasp]

I started a new job in London a couple of months ago. The job is great, fantastic company, great office, awesome team, really good money (+60% compared to my last position), nice benefits. A dream job.

The only downside is that it takes me 50 mins to get there from where I live

The commute is: 5 mins walk - 30 mins on tube with one change - 15 mins walk (the office is faaaar from the closest tube station).

I work ft Mon to Fri 9-6, regular hours. I am in my late 20s, own my place with DH (so I can't move) and I don't have DC yet.

I really dislike this commute. I love the job but I am starting to think it may not be worth it.

AIBU to doubt whether a great job is worth a 50 mins commute?

But what are the chances of finding another job you like just down the road from your place?

If anything, u would move if I was renting.

I think you can have one of two mindsets here OP.

Either focus on your fantastic job and salary which occupy 40+ hours of your week, OR focus on the commute you hate (or the section you hate, as it can't all be that bad) which is less than a quarter of that time.

My first job involved an each way journey do around 40 minutes walking and getting on for an hour bus ride each way, all for minimum wage. I went through a spell of hating parts of the bus journey but knew I had to shake myself out of that as there was no other option.

Your journey time isn't out of what's considered a viable commute, but look at alternatives. If you go to a gym think about leaving home really early to travel before work, or go later to avoid peak travel times? Ask to vary your hours if you can. Or simply put it into context and accept it as the cost of a job you love.

You can get the river boat to Cadogan Pier which is less than a five-minute walk from the King's Road.

Sorry pressed too soon.

It's takes about 35 minutes and seems to run in most weather.

How long have you lived in London op? That jubilee line train is pretty standard for rush hour.

I don't like packed tubes either but I don't think cycling in the capital is safe and buses take forever so tube it is.

wow - I'm actually jealous how short your commute is! i do 70 mins each way on a good day. and I work 830 to 830.

how long have you been in London? i dont disagree the tube is unpleasant. Have you thought about a bike? when we lived in london I used to cycle about 6 miles, took me around 35 mins depending on how tired I was. it was much more fun and there are now so many cyclists I just stuck in the pack.

Ooo so you get five hours or so each week on a tube where you can read a good book or listen to a podcast or something else which will entertain you / expand your knowledge / give you new ideas etc?

Then a brisk walk at each end in order to help maintain your physical fitness?

All whilst travelling to and from your dream job?

Seems alright to me.

That's not a commute!! It's just a journey! Surely a commute is over 75 mins? There must be a definition somewhere? Man up!

Do try if there's a Thames cycle route...

If not wear trainers, listen to podcasts.

Can you shift your working day so you're not communing at peak times? Arrive for either 730 am or 10am....it's amazing how much if the journey you can shave off by travel outside peak times?

I can imagine it is hellish on a packed tube for 30 mins twice a day. When I visit London with the kids in school holidays we always wonder how Londoners can stand it. But well paid jobs you love are hard go come by I guess.

A commute is just a different word for a journey to work isn't it Caravan.

I don't think there's any set definition of time and distance or that either has to be over a certain length.

Still doesn't change that it's not particularly arduous in the circumstances described and I hope the OP tries out some of the suggestions to make it less unpleasant for her.

My commute is 45-60 minutes and I love it--it's my winding down time, time to myself, time to recharge (as an introvert) after a day surrounded by people.

But I drive. If I had to take public transport, being surrounded by more people, I would hate it.

50 minutes can seem like a breeze or like forever, depending on how you spend it.

I moved to London around a year ago, but previously my commute was much better as I worked in the City, so I took the DLR and I was at work in 20 mins. Then I was laid off so I had to look for another job and this opportunity came along.

My office has very flexible hours so in theory I could come in early (7:30/8am) and leave around 5pm. Otherwise I could come in around 10am and leave at 7pm, though I don't particularly like the idea of getting off so late.

I will look into other options like cycling or commuting by boat. I will also make sure I organize my commute time better so I have nice book or podcasts to listen to while I am on the tube.

Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions. I realize this is part of living in London and I must accept this is a compromise I have to make.

It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks is a long commute. If it's long to you and you don't want to do it, don't do it.
I personally wouldn't, I'd rather have a less well-paid job and spend more time at home.

Haven't RTT but I have a 10 min walk to station, 55 min on train then 20 min walk to my office.
A lot of people out my way have over an hour then a decent walk.

sorry should read 'over an hour on the train then a decent walk to the office.'

7 pm isn't all that massively late you know? It is rare to have a job where you can just up and leave at 5 p.m.

That's pretty standard tbh. I can't believe you've made it to your late twenties without having to endure a long commute. I once had a 90 minute commute as an intern

Only you know what is right for you. Out of the house from 0800 to 1900 is fairly standard.

Personally, I prefer a commute less than 30 minutes with a company car park but that's me (and I like to have some sort of life outside work!).

It is definitely difficult adapting to a much longer commute when you have been used to a very short one. Obviously for a lot of people 50 mins is not that long, but for you right now it is!

Well done for taking the comments on the chin (some were pretty harsh!)

I definitely think the option of being in earlier always make the commute less stressful!

The Thames Clipper goes from Canary Wharf to Embankment - which is a relatively short walk from "South Chelsea".

I hope it get's better!

Your spoilt. My commute is 1.5 hours each way. Get a grip and woman up.

OP I'm not going to criticise you but rather make a few hopefully helpful suggestions.

If you're getting on at Canary Wharf on the jubilee there is a trick. Most people on that train get off at Canary Wharf, London Bridge, and Waterloo.

The best way to get a seat is to stand near next to a door that's closest to the exit from Canary Wharf as that's when most people get off at Canary Wharf. You can rush in and grab a seat hopefully, it's all about planning on the tube. So atleast you can sit from canary what's to the west end. If I were you, that would be my plan. Also try this plan with an earlier commute. The earlier it is/ the more people get off at CW.

I'm lucky enough to walk to my work in London (5 mins) but I still remember the days of slumming it in east London( Ilford to Putney, Ilford to Chelsea, Ilford to Waterloo). I feel for you. But try my suggestion. If you get on at a carriage where a lot of people get off then you have more of a chance of finding a seat or having a comfy corner to yourself.

If I was you I would definitely go for the much earlier start and then have a far easier commute to work, and have more time to myself in the evening.

I've been doing a 1.30 hour commute each way for 22 years. So I can't agree that 50 minutes is a long commute. Did you really have a good think about the commute before you took the job? It does sound reasonable to me for a job you love.