Is an hour walking commute too much?

[crochetmonkey74]

I've moved a bit further away from work but am missing walking there. My old walk was 20mins , New walk would be an hour each way. Is this a terrible idea?
On the way home, I would have the option of getting the bus after 20 minutes of the walk but the morning one wouldn't have this option. Anyone got an hour long walk to and from work? How do you find it?

My work is around 10 mins drive / 45 mins walk. During the Easter holidays last year when I didn't have to drop my son at school, I had the bright idea of walking there and back every day for the 2 weeks.
I lasted 2 days!
I had to leave the house at 7.40am which was a bit of a pain, but worse was that I wasn't getting home until nearly 6.
Add in sore feet and arriving at work feeling hot and sweaty, and I decided it wasn't for me! However, I will freely admit I'm lazy and I enjoy having a 10 minute commute.
If you don't mind 2 hours added on to your day, and you'll enjoy the walk, then go for it!

Loool! Are you kidding me? My commute looks like this:

20mins walk to the station
60mins travel to London on the train
25mins walk to the office or 7mins tube ride to the office

I am on 65k salary.

No, 60mins is not long.

No I think that is fine, get some headphones, listen to a podcast or music and read mumsnet on your phone 😀

That’s fine, listen to a podcast or music. Many wouldn’t think anything of an hour commute and at least you’re getting exercise.

I try to get a 2 hour walk in daily, so it'd be perfect for me!

I do not love cycling, organised sports or the gym, but I do love walking. When I was in my last year of school I actually stopped bothering with the bus and walked the 1 hour 15 minute journey each way instead. And again for my first job. I would definitely do this for the way in, assuming the route is safe and pleasant. Might get the bus back after the 20 minute walk on the way home as I'd probably be tired after work and would want a bit of evening left. Just make sure you have very comfortable and supportive shoes, excellent 100% waterproof and breathable outerwear, and as little as possible to carry. I might stick spare shoes, hairbrush, deodorant, and makeup bag in my desk for emergencies on a very wet day!

Depends on your health, the area and the type of job. Very difficult if you are older, walking through a dodgy area, or have to carry bags full of student's books to take home and mark.
Very easy if you are young and fit and live in a nice area.

In my 20s, I had a 50 minute walk to and from work.
In my 30s, I used to walk 25 minutes for the train station and another 25 minutes from the station to the office (train journey in between was about 50 minutes).
I'm now in my 40s and have a 20 minute drive. I have the school run to do and wouldn't have time to do the school run and then walk 50 minutes to get to the office in time.

I'd hate it because I'm a lazy cunt.

My neighbour has a walking commute of this length. She is very slim so it obviously is good for that.

I’m assuming Op is in good enough health to walk or they wouldn’t be considering it.

But generally speaking re. Age plenty of 50+ I know walk a couple of hours a day. My elderly aunt did when she was in her late 60s and that was partly why she was so fit and slim. Whereas her younger sister, my mum, who lived a very sedentary lifestyle struggled more with her weight and poor fitness etc.

I do feel though that some areas are less walkable than others for various reasons. I’ve always got round that by finding an alternative route.

Love the honesty & self awareness 😆

I do it.. lovely in good weather bearable in the rain so get yourself some waterproof clothing. I listen to a podcast and try to power walk, like someone else said it's like having a free gym membership.

My sister used to walk an hour each way to work. 10 mins to the town centre another 10 mins to the bridge, then 40 mins along the river bank. She loved it. It kept her fit and she saw the same people every day.

Get the right clothing and you’ll be fine. I used to get changed in work.

I walk to and from the office, 2-3 days a week. It takes me about an hour- just over 3 miles each way. I just leave the car at home.

I LOVE it! I don't care about the weather, I'm fortunate to have showers and lockers etc at work to keep spare clothes, toiletries, shoes etc. I have good rain gear, snow stuff. And apart from laptop and lunch, I don't have much to cart about.

I just find it to be so good for me- fitness wise, and for my mental health; it sets me up for the day in the morning, and allows me to properly 'log off' at the end of the day, particularly important when during the rest of the week WFH I can sometimes stay not completely done well into the evening.

Also, it stops me going to the shops and buying loads of stuff during my lunch break, as I don't want to carry it home. Bonus 😁

Why on earth is your salary relevant to this?!

I am 71, I walk to and from work three days a week 35 mins each way. no bus options and DH needs the car

I couldn’t be arsed.

It would be too long for me, about 40 mins would be my max. I'm a Londoner so I'm used to having good public transport options, long walks are just for tube strike days or an occasional leisure walk. I have to do some 30 min walks in the rain sometimes and that's pretty awful.

What is?

I think if you've a back up option such as a car, it's a great way to start the day with the bus back making it easier for the return.

I used to do a 45 min walk across fields. Loved it but I love walking.
I was also lucky we had good changing facilities so I could change into office wear when I got there

Ooh you're a peach.

I live an hour walk from work. I walk home sometimes in the summer. But it’s grim in the winter. If it is raining heavily and windy it can be pretty impossible. And you will need to change clothes.

and you need a plan B if it is icy or snowy!

but it good weather it is lovely.

It depends on how physically fit you are. But also at least for the morning leg of it you have to consider you get caught in the rain, arrive at work sweaty, etc. Perhaps start on the way home and see how it goes. Do you have showers or a place to keep a change of clothes atvwork?