to think commuting to London would be miserable?

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I live in the south east, and obviously, many people commute to London for better job prospects and salaries.

I used to get the train to work every day (not to London), and it made me miserble. Sitting on a crowded train after a long day at work, which would probably be delayed, was just crap. And the cost was astronomical.

Therefore, the thought of commuting to London, and god forbid, getting the tube, every day really doesn't appeal at all. I live about 50 minutes away from central London if going by train, but even that seems too much if you have to faff around on tubes.

But the problem is, within the field I'm working in, all the good jobs are in London. I wonder if I'm throwing my career away by not biting the bullet and doing it.

So London commuters - how do you do it? Is it really worth it, or would you rather have less pay nearer home?

I get paid probably double (if not more) than what I would get paid outside of London. My job is demanding but intellectually stimulating and challenging. For me that makes it worth it. The commute is

...Worth it for that reason IMO

I agree with PrincessScarlett though the 1st class thing didn't apply to me as my trains then didn't have 1st class carriages.

I commute into London 4 days a week and work at home one day. If everything goes according to plan it takes 3 hours a day. Sometimes it takes 4 (either because of train delays or if I cannot leave work in time to catch my preferred fast train and have to get a slow one).

This weather has made it harder. The carriages are usually air conditioned, but it doesn't always work. Sometimes the air conditioning is so fierce that everyone sits there shivering because we haven't been wearing jackets/coats. Usually I get a seat, but not always.

I am out of the house for over 12 hours a day. I'm in my late 50s and it is definitely taking it out of me. I enjoy my job, but am definitely planning to give up in the next year or so.

I commute from the Midlands to central London and quite like it. But the train only takes an hour and then a bus from the station takes 20 minutes. I could imagine it might take longer from nearer the city which would be frustrating.

My door to door journey takes an hour ans 10 mins. That consists of a walk to the Bus Stop, bus to the Train Sation, train to Central London and tube to where I work before a walk to the office.

I start work early and leave early so I always get a seat on my bus and train, though not the tube. I zone out and read my book.

In a perfect world is it the best thing to ever do? No. Is it hell on earth? No. Is it worth it for the significant pay increase. Yes 100%.

I lived and commuted in London for years, I know drive 10 mins to work. I'm never going back to it!

It's fine if you actually work within walking distance of the station you come in to. Shit if you then have to get on the tube for 30 mins though.

If salaries really are that much better though, you would be better off moving to London. We did recently and it's brilliant.

Hated the tube part of my commute so chose to walk 30 mins from Liverpool St station.
Most people hate a long commute into London but grin and bear it for the money.