Commute time

[Rhinothunder]

Just wondering what the longest door to door commute time people think is bearable 5 days per week? Looking to move but would require a bug commute for my husband and not sure what is reasonable. Thanks

Anything over an hour would be pretty shit in my opinion.

Anything over an hour and twenty minutes including walking to and from a station is too much in my view.

We’re in the process of moving, but neither of us will commute to London more than twice a week, on different days.

It would be 13 mins to station, 1h 09min on train then 9mins on tube. So just under 1.5h. At present it will only be 3d a week but want to factor in chance that may increase to 5days if things go back to pre covid times. Retiring in 8 to 10 years.

Eeeek

Hmm, 9 hours a week if not more if hours increase. That's like another working day.. no from me unless it was an amazing location and I loved commuting / could work part of my hours enroute

@Rhinothunder

It would be 13 mins to station, 1h 09min on train then 9mins on tube. So just under 1.5h. At present it will only be 3d a week but want to factor in chance that may increase to 5days if things go back to pre covid times. Retiring in 8 to 10 years.

It won't be just under 1.5hrs as there will be waiting time for train and tube. Plus off there are any delays or cancellations it could be considerably more.

Nothing over an hour door to desk for me

It's tricky as would be a significant trade up inlifestyle apart from this factor. Particularly for me and kids. But equally don't want to make him unwell! Had anyone actually done it? Was / is it worth it?

Think it depends on his hours. If he works 9 to 5, that means he will be out of the house from 7.30 to 6.30 which is long but not unreasonable.

If he has to do overtime or longer hours, hes looking at an even longer day which might be too much.

In reality that will be more than an hour and a half as well because you can't get to the station at the exact train time and you don't step straight off the train at the London terminus and onto a tube train.

But really OP it's up to your husband. It sounds a bit like you want to move somewhere and think he's unreasonable to not want to move there because of the commute? Is that the situation?

DH did an hour and a half happily but he’s been commuting for 20 years so is used to it. Also he can leave at 5 on the dot which makes a big difference. I found it too much but I worked late a lot. If you work late it’s a long day.

Need to factor in walking from car park to station and from tube to office. Also need to think about delays etc.

It will probably be longer than 1.5 hours as he would prob get to train station 5 mins before train, have to get from train to tube, from tube to office.

That's a long commute five days a week

That’s a long commute. I wouldn’t like to do it 5 days a week.

The thing to factor in is that there will be days when the train is late, delayed, standing room only, or there's a tube strike or whatever- realistically need to add time on even if everything goes as planned, and then consider delays which would be even more time. I used to do a similar length commute, it was doable but not enjoyable at all, I ended up moving closer and then coming home at weekends, which isn't ideal for family life but I was single at the time so it wasn't as big of a deal as just myself to think about. 3 days would perhaps be manageable, but it depends really. Also have to remember that during winter when it's dark in the morning and dark at night it can feel extra horrible.

He has an early start but that's partly his preference- so he'd be on a 6am ish train. But at the moment he's already out the door before any of us wake-up. Has always been the case. Re finish time -always done by 5pm never later. Could potentially do some working hours on the train but don't think at the moment this could be a reliable fixture in his day as he needs to be contactable/ online and not sure you can guarantee that on a train

That’s not reasonable IMO. My commute door to door is just under an hour. Factor in delays, waiting times + queuing to get on tubes pre covid (it used to take about 10 -15 mins of queuing time to get get the Waterloo and city line in peak times). All of that factored in is a big no for me, I’d refuse in your husbands shoes.

What’s his current commute? What are you suggesting take it from?

Will he get a seat on the train? How many trains are there an hour ( if he misses one). Is there an alternative line if there are problems on one line. I think anything under 1.5 is ok but it’s easier if there’s no need to be back at a specific times for childcare reasons. Sitting on a train is obviously much more pleasant than standing the whole way. Even the journey from overground to underground is relevant… is there a long walk to the underground line?

Depends on the hours at work. I commuted 1h40 full time for a while before DC and I liked the time and the space to read and my DH did the same and watched films. I could however leave at 5.30 so still home at a bearable time. Well worth it though and you do get used to it.

@namechange30455

In reality that will be more than an hour and a half as well because you can't get to the station at the exact train time and you don't step straight off the train at the London terminus and onto a tube train.

But really OP it's up to your husband. It sounds a bit like you want to move somewhere and think he's unreasonable to not want to move there because of the commute? Is that the situation?

No not at all- he is up for it! But now we are getting closer to it becoming a reality I'm havibg a wobble on his account, as I know I couldn't do it myself- I'm worried it will be too much and lead to poor health / resentment / stress and if it will be worth it really.

I wouldn't do anything longer than half an hour these days. I spent a few years doing a 50 minute drive each way and it was horrendous, especially in winter.

Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.

He has no role in the childcare so that's not a factor. He'd be on at the start of the line so would have a seat. No walk to tube at other end and office is right outside tube too.

@Rhinothunder

It's tricky as would be a significant trade up inlifestyle apart from this factor. Particularly for me and kids. But equally don't want to make him unwell! Had anyone actually done it? Was / is it worth it?

Yes I used to do 2 hours each way - drive tk Station, train to London, tube , walk to office. It is doable but what expectations are there to work late etc.

I did it for a year, it's horrendous. Don't think he will work on the train unless he's in first class. I spent a year standing with the other sardines in the vestibule! My GP told me to stop if I could as it woul affect my health long term. Now I drive 1.45hrs each way, I much prefer it but it's still tiring.

My personal max was always an hour and no stressful connections (missing train if bus was late for example). How long does he do currently?

OP, it's perfectly doable and quite (pre Covid) common in, eg, the South East.

If you have a modernish train and are at the start of the line with a seat, then an hour each way working, reading or watching TV is pleasant,

The tube can be random but that's how it is.

It's certainly no more stressful than child wrangling / pick up / clubs etc.

And loads of companies are at least hybrid working now, so he may only be doing it 3-4 days per week max.