That I could do this commute twice a week?

[gooseberryfooled]

I've been WFH since 2020 but my employer has just mandated two days in the office for everyone in my department. There will be some flexibility but mostly I will be commuting twice a week, most weeks.

I am quite happy with this, I've been considering going in more for a while now and my current commute is a fairly easy 45 mins door to door (train and a bit of walking).

However, we (me, DH and DC8) have been planning to move house mid-next year. It's long planned and much wanted - we've found the exact village we want to move to and are very set on living by water and out in the country. But the move would out my commute at an hour and 20 minute train journey, plus around 15-20 minutes getting to and from train stations at either end (that might be reduced depending on how close to the village station we end up living). It would also be more expensive but manageable.

Am I being horribly unrealistic to think that's doable? There would be some weeks I could negotiate going only once to another office where more of my team sit so it might be 3 weeks out of 4. DH is a SAHP so no issues with childcare.

What’s the delay in him started to work for himself?

I did a 2 hour commute and it was murder but it was walk, train, train, train, walk. So half the hassle was the constant changing and argy barge on the platform. One train and less than 2 hours is definitely do-able.

It’s fine, when the trains are working!

How on earth can you conclude that without knowing how it compares with the OP’s salary?

Thank you! Good tip on the parking fees too. I'm so happy it worked out for you and it does inspire me to do the same.

I appreciate why you are asking but there are lots of reasons that aren't mine to go into on a public forum.

I wasn’t concluding anything 🙄 just giving my opinion.

That’s £240 a month just on travelling to work two days a week.

True! But that would be the case where I live now (although admittedly I could get a bus from here)

Yes it’s doable.

You can also speak to your employer and ask about shorter day in the proviso you work on the train etc.

employers now are really good at the hybrid model compared to pre 2020 and seem to be keen on keeping people good at their role and adjusting for that.

But lots of people do 1.5 hrs each way 5 days a week so it’s not a mad idea and if you live the job and where you’re moving too you’ll be motivated!

It's a fair point - we can afford it by cutting down on some luxuries and I think on balance it's worth it for us. I know that's a lucky position to be in.

But if that was in the context of £215k salary?

I live just outside London (30 mins train ride), half my town commutes in, probably many of them every day, and it's £30 a day plus £10 parking if you park. Totally normal!

My employer is very big on work/home balance - plenty of people work part time (with and without kids) and I already do two days where I start and finish early so I can collect DC and spend time with them, which they'd continue to honour.

I do commutes like that at least twice per week. I live in London and get asked to go to places that whilst relatively close in terms of mileage, they can involve 3 or 4 trains.

Was a bit pissed off recently when I was unbooked for a job that was considered too far from my home
It was mainly motorway driving and less time than my normal commute it would have been an easier place to get to.

That's not unusual if you live outside London and commute in. I'm in Essex in what used to be thought of as a commuter town, and the train is about £35 a day. Pre-Covid I paid 5k per year for a session ticket. Thankfully I only have to be in once a week now.

And what if it’s not?

My opinion is that £240 a month just on commuting is a lot of money and not something to take on lightly.

Oh, I know it’s not particularly unusual but if it’s a lot more than OP currently pays then it’s something that needs to be considered.

Unfortunately it is also really important to factor in what would happen if you lost your job for any reason (redundancy etc). How easy would it be to find a job of the salary you would need and only two days in office. A sad reality of current climate.

Normal maybe, but also bonkers!

Precisely!

So for you to say no way! before knowing the salary context…. Is surely a touch premature

Millions of men work like this with stay at home partners. It’s fine if you don’t have to do drops offs etc

As others have said it’s a pretty standard commute, and when the trains run it’s very workable. Because of my own experience, I’ll throw in office culture as a consideration. The commute for a productive and enjoyable day in the office is worth it, if you’re going into a half empty, soulless office, still meeting everyone on teams it can quickly become demotivating and you might resent the journey in.
Good luck! Hope it works out.

People wouldn't think anything of filling their car with fuel weekly for driving to and from work.

It's a lovely office, and many people chose to return full time after the end of lockdowns etc, so it's people who want to be there.

Thank you!

Used to do this kind of commute for a few years- it’s definitely doable- but very tiring- especially in the winter- okay in your 20s and 30s , harder as you get older.
got too much for me and I took a pay cut and job more local to home- bit of a backward step career wise- but massive improvement in work/ life balance