Should I take this job? 30 mile commute.

[Drpeppered]

Posting for traffic.

Had an interview this morning and was offered the job. Its the same pay as my current role, and in the same sector but doing a slightly different, and my actual role would be quite different and a bit more aligned to what I want to be doing.

The main issue is it’s 30 miles away, whereas my current role is only based about 6 miles from my door. It works out about an extra 200 quid a month more on petrol. The majority of the commute would be on the motorway, so shouldn’t take longer than an hour even with bad traffic. I live in a city and would be commuting to a more rural area, so I’m against the traffic for most of the commute.

I’m not really happy in my current job, mainly because of the organisation I work for. However it also would be a bad time for me to leave, as my manager goes off on maternity in January, and I am the next most senior person on my team. There are going to be a few weeks/months without adequate cover for her role, and so I know I’ll be expected to help things run smoothly. Because of this, I feel incredibly guilty even going for an interview.

Would I be crazy to take this job, considering how far the commute is? I also work in a sector where it is hard to have a work/life balance, and think a long commute may add to the stress of that.

YABU - don’t take the job
YANBU - take the job

Well the commute is not long. It's long compared to what you're used to but against the traffic it's not a long commute on average. Will surely likely take much less than an hour most days if mainly motorway.

What are the reason for your unhappiness in your current role? I wouldn't feel guilty though, you should look after your own interests first to be honest.

@obviouspretzel it’s not really the time of the commute, more the extra cost. £200 extra a month on petrol feels like a hell of a lot. My job already requires me to use my car, I’ll be doubling the amount of miles I currently do on my car a week, which I’m also worried will have an effect on the wear and tear of it.

You are not happy in your current role. The new role is more aligned to your interest. Ask yourself; are the additional benefits comparable? - pensions, shares, cars and work life balance. Where are you in your career? - early years, senior after working your way up. Are the oportunities for training and development better?
After that list is answered you will pretty much know the way forward. Personally I've benefited from moving roles regularly, its beebbintereting and better foe my rate of pay. Now I'm getting older I'm more inclined to stay in a role as it's local and very flexible and this is most important to me at the point.

I have doubled my commute recently with a new job. I now do 35 miles each way but it only takes about 40-45 minutes as its motorway for most of it. I haven't worked out the extra fuel but I'm really enjoying the new role.

I'm also using the commute time to listen to audiobooks so am quite enjoying the driving

Well that is a lot of extra money to be forking out. I think it depends on whether this would be something of a springboard to where you eventual want to end up (which may be higher pay etc) - would it ideally be a short term pain for long term gain scenario?

@SciFiRules benefits are pretty similar, as it’s the standard across my sector (its local government authority). Pay scales are also pretty much the same. Progression seems like it would be faster, it’s a smaller authority so I don’t think I’d be swallowed up as I am now.

The commute is the major sticking point, and mainly because the cost though manageable, would be a big chunk of my wage. The hours are also slightly longer as well (extra half an hour at the start and end of my day), which when you factor in the much longer commute, doesn’t make me feel like my work/life balance will be any better.

Can you afford the extra £200, will it lead to better career progression?

Does the extra commute effect any commitments. I know for us we have very carefully balanced childcare plans and if one of us suddenly changed to a longer commute we would struggle to get DC where they need to be

Could In theory afford the £200 but it would be a stretch.

Because it’s local government, it’s not really the type of role where you advance quickly with fast pay progression. So I’m not going to be earning an extra £10k in a years time or anything like that.

I think my heart is saying I want to take it, but my head and maybe even my gut is saying it’s just not workable.

The cost of the commute won't just be in fuel, it will also be in the additional wear and tear on your car and the resulting costs. Possibly also an increase in your insurance if that takes your annual mileage above what you're currently insured for.

Depends if you have ties such as children. My husband has just changed from a similar commute on the motorway to a 5 minute drive. The difference to his work life balance is unbelievable. Driving for up to 2 hours a day (often longer!) on the motorway on top of long hours is draining. He's like a new person now. We do have small children though so more time at home is a massive bonus for us. He was coming home exhausted being out the house for 12 plus hours before and literally didn't have the energy for anything.

I'd say unless there's a big payrise (which I see there isn't) or some sort of amazing career progression i'd stay put personally unless you are very young without any ties. I used to do a 90 minute train commute in my early 20s and didn't mind, getting home at 7 made no difference then.

So I’m not going to be earning an extra £10k in a years time or anything like that.

Ok, what profession do I need to switch to for my pay to increase by £10k pa?

If you are minded to refuse it then you've nothing to loose by contacting them and explaining that you are very keen but it represents a pay decrease and asking for more money or to start on a higher grade.