Long commute for a big pay rise... would you?

[KingHyx]

I work in a specialist field where jobs in my area are very hard to come by. I live outside of the city where salaries are generally very low. I am lucky enough to work close to home at the moment and whilst my salary is considered very good for where I live, it’s low for the field I work in.

I’ve been offered an opportunity in central London (where most of the jobs in my field seem to be), which would be a £30k pay rise plus benefits for doing the same role I do now. The commute to work would be around 2 hours each way.....!

I’m 25, married but no children and we own a property, so moving closer isn’t really an option for us at the moment. We are comfortable financially, but of course it would be amazing to have such a large pay rise and an opportunity to make some significant overpayments on the mortgage etc.

Am I crazy for considering this? It would be really helpful to hear from anyone else who has a long commute to work and what your experiences are!

[KingHyx]

*commuted!

[36degrees]

I would do it if it's the kind of role or organisational culture where 90% of the time you do your hours and no more - or even if you can negotiate reduced hours to accommodate the travel, or a regular WFH day.

If you are regularly expected to stay late/be there bang on 8.30am/pull all-nighters I would find it too stressful relying on public transport, and too tiring.

[Obsidian77]

What would your aims for career progression be if you didn't take this job and what does your OH do, would it be easy for him or her to move jobs if you did end up moving closer to London?
It really depends on the details of the commute and how flexible it is. If there's one train an hour and that gets cancelled would that still work?
Having said that, a lot of people have commutes like that into London.
It can be really hard if you get back at 8pm bloody exhausted and your partner, who works locally and has been relaxing for hours wants to go out.

[NurseButtercup]

Another one chiming in to say do it...

At 25 you've got the energy and if you can stay mid-week in London the socialising/networking is worth it for career progression. Save as much as you can and make important contacts for long term opportunities.

Good luck

[Blibbyblobby]

Honestly i wouldn't do it, I've known a few people with that sort of commute. The ones it works ok for are the ones with a SAHP keeping the wheels on for them, but a lot haven't been able to keep it up.

If you want the experience (and money!) I'd definitely recommend being a weekday lodger instead. I know quite a few people who have gone that way and as long as your home life and partner are ok to work around it, it's a much better balance.

One other thought - does your industry go for contracting? You could get the best of both by taking London contracts with reasonably long gaps in between to re-balance.

[NewPapaGuinea]

I’d also check the punctuality of the train company you’ll be using. I have a 1 hour train commute on Chiltern rail which are pretty good, but a colleague comes in on GWR and is always late through delays and cancellations.

In total, my commute is about 1 hour 20. 1 hour train ride with 10 mins of the bike either end. I’d struggle with more tbh.

[likeatonneofbricks]

OP definetely consider staying in London part-week, itr'a the best option and the expense would still be worth it financially.

You seem to have no objections (i.e. husband not happy) so either stay in Premier Inn/travelodge or have a look at the Spareroom website - option there for Mon-Fri (and often variations on that, many people prefer shorter stays)- there are some VERY nice options with just one owner living there. often two bathrooms.

[likeatonneofbricks]

P.S. and although you aer paying you saving a train fares - season ticket wouldnt be worth buying.

[likeatonneofbricks]

*are saving on

[HollowTalk]

Could your husband work in the same area? If so, rent out your house and rent somewhere in London.

If it was two hours door to door and didn't involve sitting in traffic then I would definitely do it.

[snarfblatt]

I'm a decade older than you with young DC and have a 1.5hr commute each way (within London ). I'd say it's doable but depends on the expectations in your workplace for longer-than-usual hours, after-work functions etc as it's then that you really feel a long commute. For that amount of extra money I'd definitely do it. But staying in London during the week, provided you're willing to sacrifice the time with your partner, will give you a much more relaxed pace of life provided your lodging is close enough to work - remember lots of in-London commutes can be very long too!

[Girlicorne]

I d do it. I drive a lot for work, usually 4 hours a day depending where I am working on that day. I don't find it particularly draining or tiring, I find I feel I am well prepared for work by the time I arrive in the morning and then out of work mode and focusing on home by the time I get back, the drive allows me time to do that mentally. I also love the time to myself.

[Deadposhtory]

I did a huge commute when my oldest was a baby. No regrets. I am now living in a lovely area mortgage free and I am a single mother.

[Horehound]

I do 1 hour each way, I would not do 2 hours each way.

[womandear]

Do it! Any chance of some flexibility or WFH one day a week? I have a 2 hour each way but with flexibility, I often work on the train on the way in and home that’s recognised so if I leave early 4pm some days but am answering emails etc that’s fine. What I would do is that commute 5 days a week for a company that expected my at me desk 8.30 -5.30:6pm every single day with no leeway...

[womandear]

Wouldn’t do!

[MitziK]

Thanks to jobseeking rules, I had to take a job that involved travelling two hours each way for the princely sum of £8000 a year (yes, I understand that NMW has increased that in the intervening years, but still - it was expected of me on pain of sanction).

For thirty grand more a year, I'd take it. Hell, I'd commute two hours either way just to get thirty grand.

[YouWereRight]

Dp does it, and loves it.

But for me it's a nightmare. The diesel bill is higher than our mortgage. He is never around to help if things go wrong, so everything falls to me. He's so exhausted when he gets home that he's often asleep within half an hour of getting home. 2 hours each way is dependent on the traffic, you just need one crash on the motorway and you're sat in your car for 4 hours. I know this doesn't apply to you, but the dc miss him terribly, and he's never around to see their school plays or assemblies, or just be collected by him.

[EffOffStomachPain]

From what you’ve said your journey will be, I would DEFINITELY do this. You’ll be able to read/watch catch-up/work/do life admin on the train. If you can move closer, that’s great, but the journey is totally doable. For some people living in London their commutes are close/over an hour and cost of living is considerably more. You could always do the commute for a year and if it’s not for you, then you could think about moving closer and you’d have a big chunk of money behind you.

[asteri76]

I would do it!! I have been commuting to London for over 10 years and yes it can be knackering, especially now that I have a ds.. but I have now negotiated my work week and do one day from home and am out of the office on the other days by 3pm and make up my time working on the train ..

[SurgeHopper]

Can you work on the train on your way in/home?

[Crazyhairymary]

How much extra will you earn net?
How much will the train fares etc be?

I wouldn’t do it as I think there is more to life than working and earning loads of money. You have already said you are financially comfortable so I’m guessing you earn a decent amount anyway?

Are you sure the comoany wouldn’t expect you to work longer hours for that sort of money? The City can be very demanding time wise.

[Horsemenoftheaclopalypse]

Do it!!!

Mon-fri lets are popular and honestly at 25 no kids you could sublet and move closer

[Bythebeach]

DH has a 2 hour commute but he has worked so he goes up Mon, stays overnight and commutes back Tues evening, WFH Wed and the commutes up Thurs-stays overnight-back Friday. Doing it daily is too exhausting.

[buzzbobbly]

A married friend of mine commutes from her home in the UK to a European city on a Monday am, and returns on a Friday night (sometimes Thursday).

She's done this for years and it works perfectly for her/them. Also stacks up financially too.

Is that an option?