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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how long your commute to work is?

201 replies

Strawbsc · 09/09/2019 17:56

Currently my trip to work is 1 hour door to door each way. I’ve got used to it and quite enjoy the alone time, particularly as it’s broken up with driving to train station, short train journey and then a walk to the office. Been offered a big opportunity in the city with a significant pay increase to match. Commute would be up to 2 hours each way door to door. Possibly a bit mad for even considering it?!

I’m interested...how long is your commute to work each day and for those who have or previously had a fairly long commute, how do you find it?!

OP posts:
takemetomars · 09/09/2019 19:56

1.25 hrs there, 1.5 hrs back.
All driving. Have been doing this for over a year and it is killing me

Verily1 · 09/09/2019 19:59

45 but varies with traffic.

I refused a job 1 hr away because the commute would be too much.

I really want 20 mins.

coffeeforone · 09/09/2019 20:01

About 90 mins door to door. I don't mind it but it was easier pre-kids, now it's a bit more stressful to factor in nursery pickups/drop-offs

tried20names · 09/09/2019 20:02

Was 90 mins for 10 years, an hour train journey with 15 min walk either side. Since having children it's now 2hrs, including the drop off/pick up time, although I now work from home twice a week.
I don't mind it as I don't really know any different and everyone I work with commutes for around an hour anyway.
I wouldn't like to drive for that long each day but I find the train journey fairly relaxing; a chance to read, listen to music or watch a boxset on my phone

Sickoffamilydrama · 09/09/2019 20:11

I regularly do a 3 hour commute so 6 hours usually work 8.30-3 then so out of the house 5.30-6/6.30 but it's my business so it's different although it does nearly kill me if I've had a long day/done it a few times in a week.
I can also WFH.

AthelstaneTheUnready · 09/09/2019 20:11

2 hours d2d, but most of that on the train - I find it gives me peaceful thinking or reading time in the morning, and wrapping-up-work time on the way home. It's always nice to be somewhere people can't get hold of you and make you do something!

Greyhound22 · 09/09/2019 20:15

Officially on the SatNav it's 17mins but can be up to 45 mins in traffic but I work from home a lot.

I did 1.5 hours before. Never again. I just physically couldn't manage it.

Crustytoenail · 09/09/2019 20:20

30 mins actual travel, 50 mins 'waiting' time either side of the shift. Can't drive, use public transport and well I need a job! Used to be less than 2 mins walk, but I'm happier in this job now. Where I live and the fact I can't drive does have an impact - it'd be 20 mins door to door by car, but the not driving isn't something I can do anything about and the location of home isn't something I want to do anything about, so I'm happy with the situation.

ControversialFerret · 09/09/2019 20:23

On a good day 90 mins each way. On a bad day anything up to 3 hours each way. Fortunately I don't have to go in every day. However I am doing lots of ad hoc travel at the moment. 700 miles last week...

For a £25k payrise I'd look at it quite seriously:

  • Is there any flexibility such as early finishes or working from home?
  • Do you have an alternative route to work if the main one is congested? This is my biggest issue as there is only one route and if there's an accident, the whole thing grinds to a halt for hours.
  • If the commute is too much, does the role represent a leg up for you in terms of profile and market value? I.e. could you use it as a stepping stone onto something better but more local?
MrsJBaptiste · 09/09/2019 20:25

For an extra £25k a year, I'd definitely do a 2 hour commute! 😉

Ruefaro · 09/09/2019 20:27

9 minute drive Grin

catsandkid · 09/09/2019 20:28

Between 45mins (in light traffic) to 1hr 15 or more (heavier traffic). I listen to audiobooks to pass the time and find it quite nice bit of ' me time'!

OccasionalNachos · 09/09/2019 20:28

Between half an hour to an hour, depending on traffic & train delays. I am lucky to have a few options though - if I miss a bus I can walk to the railway station.

A few years ago I had a 90 minute door to door commute but I was single & lived alone with no responsibilities. I didn’t have many hobbies, classes etc or any sort of leisure time schedule. I couldn’t do that now. Agree with PPs that if you have young children then it might be tricky. But a pay increase is useful for making life easier - a cleaner, taxis when you need them, food delivered when you cba to cook after a long day, etc. If the job’s good enough then it is worth it.

adaline · 09/09/2019 20:29

40 minutes drive each way on windy country roads. I wouldn't want it to be any longer.

Purplerain16 · 09/09/2019 20:29

5min walk d2d.

I had a commute of 1hr in good traffic, 2 in rush hour last year and while I looove driving, it was too expensive

Jiggeriepokerie · 09/09/2019 20:43

For 11 years I commuted 2.5 hrs each way due to being young with no car then moving houses etc until I moved 6 hours away and couldn't do it any more. I didn't mind it too much but since I reduced my commute I became less tolerant and moved job recently to cut it down to a 20 minute walk. It's the best thing I ever did. I've never been so relaxed!!

LaPufalina · 09/09/2019 20:45

Two miles so 40 min walk, 20 min run (plus shower), ten mins bike or five min drive Grin used to do an hour in London no problem but i get to spend loads more time with the kids than I would if I worked further away

Stompythedinosaur · 09/09/2019 20:46

I did an hour each way for a long time. Now I do an hour and a half each way (for a promotion in a niche area). I find it not too bad really. I get expenses for a portion of my travel, though, otherwise the petrol cost would put me off.

Serenity45 · 09/09/2019 20:51

35 -40 minutes. 15 min walk to bus stop 15 minutes on bus, then 5 min walk other end. My last job was anything between 1 hour 15 and 1 hour 30 and I couldn't do it now!

Youseethethingis · 09/09/2019 20:52

It’s only an extra hour each way. Or 20 hours commuting per week. Which is a decent part time job. So you might as well do that locally instead of you have that sort of time to spare and need the money. It will save you a fortune in fuel/train tickets.
My work is 15 minutes away. I previously commuted two from Glasgow to Edinburgh on a temporary basis. It took two hours each way and I was beside myself within weeks with tiredness and frustration that I couldn’t seem to keep on top of the rest of my life. It was shit.

imamearcat · 09/09/2019 21:02

Depends on traffic etc. But with 2 drop offs if I set off at 7.20 I'm there for 9.

Welliesandpyjamas · 09/09/2019 21:06

7 minutes driving

Heatherjayne1972 · 09/09/2019 21:11

Job 1- 3 mins walk if that
Job 2 - -15 min walk. Or in car 20 mins as have to go via breakfast club first

MrsAJ27 · 09/09/2019 21:18

40 minute walk or 20 mins (8 mins to bus stop 2 mins on bus and 10 mins walk to office)

The money would have to be really good 4 2 hours each way

BrightRight · 09/09/2019 21:20

I do nearly 2hrs but it’s on a train where I always get a seat, so can work. It’s a bit of a pain sometimes, but doable.