Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

2 hour commute...madness?

27 replies

HennyPennyHorror · 16/07/2019 11:00

Before you say "Yes, that's mad" listen to the backstory.

I live in semi rural Australia and can't drive. Yes...that's my first mistake and I will be sorting that out asap.

I am DESPERATE for a job...can't maintain things as they are. DH lost his main job recently and got another but it's not good pay.

I've been offered an interview for a really good job...but it would take me 2 hours by train. It would be an hour's drive. An hour's drive is perfectly normal here for work...roads are empty and it's non stressful.

Occasionally if I got the job, DH could drive me depending on his shifts. The office is near MIL's and sometimes I could spend a night there to make things easier...maybe once a week or so till I can drive myself.

The place has also said working from home for part of the week is a definite possibility as is part time.

Should I go for it? I honestly didn't think I'd get an interview!

OP posts:

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 16/07/2019 11:04

I used to do it in the UK, 2 hours 20 each way. It was okay. After three years; it got tiring and I felt like I was living on the train, but it was great experience and the money was good.

I had to learn to make the most of weekends for seeing people rather than falling into "relaxing" being inside, because I could rarely make any after work meets, but it wasn't as tiring once I was used to it, and I got a lot of reading/podcasts done!

It's not ideal, and I wouldn't want to do it now, but it wasn't unbearable. My fiancé has just started a job an hour and tens drive away, because it's great experience and the right opportunity for him - again not ideal, but it's been okay so far!

mammabella1 · 16/07/2019 11:04

Go for it. I had a 2 hour commute for six months and it was a great motivation for learning to drive! Also spent Wednesday night with family close to the job to cut the week in half and reduce the commute cost. Once you're driving an hour is nothing! Good luck

MumdayMania · 16/07/2019 11:07

Yes I think you should.

Purpletigers · 16/07/2019 11:09

Go for it . You can relax on the train !

1300cakes · 16/07/2019 11:14

Take it and get your licence asap. Start learning straight away and (presuming you are over 25) you could have it within a couple of months.

SmartPlay · 16/07/2019 11:21

Yes, if you like the job, you should take it. You plan to get your driving license anyway, so it won't be a long time you have to commute for 2 hours each way.

Starlight39 · 16/07/2019 11:35

Definitely go for it! It sounds like there are lots of options for making it work.

theemmadilemma · 16/07/2019 11:51

In those circumstances, yes I would.

Original poster

HennyPennyHorror · 16/07/2019 11:58

Oh thanks everyone! I was wondering if I was being daft! DC are 11 and 15 so old enough to cope without me for a night a week...DH will be here obviously. And the thought of a night in MIL's lovely clean, tidy house is also attractive! Peace and quiet! :D

OP posts:

Sakura7 · 16/07/2019 12:00

Normally I would say no, but under these circumstances I think you should go for it. It would get tiring after a while and it's not sustainable long term IMO, so make learning to drive a priority!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/07/2019 12:06

I think you should go for it. Especially if you are planning on learning to drive. Good luck!

Sexnotgender · 16/07/2019 12:08

Do it. Definitely learn to drive though!

PizzaTaste · 16/07/2019 12:10

I think your circumstances are great for it. 2 hours will be hard but you can get things done on the train, and learning to drive will help.

Good luck with the interview x

MissB83 · 16/07/2019 12:12

I do a 2 hour commute each way 2 days a week and it's not too bad, actually quite enjoy the time to myself to read a book. If it's a good work opportunity you might as well give it a try. You do need to try and be organised though and get a good nights sleep.

bordellosboheme · 16/07/2019 12:17

I think a train would be fine as you can relax and get work done. What's your child situation? That could make a big difference to logistics.

crosstalk · 16/07/2019 12:24

Is that 2 hours each way by train, an hour each way by car? Can you walk to the station or are you dependent on your DH?

Perfectly ok. You could even parlay working on the train into the day's work. If train wifi is reliable or you can get a booster.

Good luck with the interview. Don't mention any difficulties at this stage but do clarify you'll be able to work from home if needs must.

cloudyinjune · 16/07/2019 12:45

My commute was 2 hours door to door in the UK
I only stopped after children.
I enjoyed the train leg of the journey

Teddybear45 · 16/07/2019 12:48

An hours drive is something most employers would expect you to do in the UK not just Australia. In Australia anything up to 3 hours each way is often considered reasonable because you just wouldn’t get a job otherwise - but employers tend to be more flexible too.

mindutopia · 16/07/2019 13:00

I think just get your license and will be sorted, though sometimes 2 hours by train is better than an hour by road (and can be used as productive time).

I commute nearly 3 hours door to door, but I only do it 3x a week. I use my time on the train to work and am in the office 10-4 on those days for meetings, etc. I am home by 7pm most nights to put my dc to bed. I’ve done this on and off since eldest was 11 months. My field is very niche (no jobs near us) but dh has an established business there and dc are settled. I think it’s fine. Some people work away all week. At least I see my kids every day and I also have a career I love.

Brefugee · 16/07/2019 13:03

go for it - good luck! - and get a driving licence as quickly as possible

TakeOneForTheBreem · 16/07/2019 13:06

Is it just one train without changing? Then I think it would be fine.

I used to do it but had to change twice and what exhausted me was transferring. Also I live in a big city so it was always packed which was stressful.

If you can sit down and read or whatever for two hours, it's not so bad.

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 16/07/2019 13:07

I do an hour each way in the car in no traffic every day and I am in Ireland. I have been doing it for about 18 years so this to me is normal being honest. I would definitely go for it.

S0CKS · 16/07/2019 13:44

I wouldn't drive it but i would happily sit on a train perhaps eat my breckfast and read.. Actually sounds nicer than my 40 minute town drive to work!!

Durgasarrow · 16/07/2019 13:47

I used to do it, too.

Snog · 16/07/2019 13:57

What are the part time hours?

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread