Working mum commuting to London - is it feasible?

[clin2014]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. Apologies if there has been discussion about this...I googled about this but only found some old threads so wondering if situation changes...

We currently live London. I works in central London and DH recently started working in Cambridge Science Park. DD just turned one year old.

We are thinking to relocate to Cambridge because DH's commute is killing...the extra bus ride to the science park is not very reliable and traffic can be horrendous which makes it difficult to get to office by 830 in the morning. However I struggle to find a job in Cambridge so it looks like I'll have to commute for a white and wait for job opportunities to come up.

I'm just wondering is commuting feasible for a working mum? I'm planning to do 8-4 at work in order to pick up DD and spend some time with her after work. Read about horrible stories about busy train and no seat....I wonder if I would still be left with energy to look after DD and do house chores after the journey....

Your advices are highly appreciated:)

Couple of things to bear in mind:
your DH should really consider cycling from the station to the science park - much better. A Brompton would be well worth the money. Colleague of mine has done same journey 3/4 days a week using one for several years.
Early train eg 7.15 or before from Cambridge isn't too bad re seats- at least when I get them. you would need to consider where you would live, and the cost of central Cambridge is pretty high, and child care can be tricky to sort and expensive - although not more than London. Re getting home in time - getting train before 5 would also mean less busy and then it would depend of the logistics of where you lived and childcare pick up - again cycling would probably be the best solution. There is also a nursery on the science park which I know lots of people who have used so one option if you moved that your DH did the childcare runs.

There is a station coming very near the science park in 2016/17, so whichever one of you commutes that should make things easier.

If the commute is killing your DH I can't imagine it would be a whole lot less tiring for you! To be at your desk in London by 8am would be no mean feat! Could you live half way between the two?

Thank you Northcambridge and orchardy for your advice. Yea I imagine it's gonna be difficult for me so I worder if anyone is doing it... :( We consider Bishops Stortford which is about half way but its quite difficult to be good school catchment....not many school to choose from, and house price is just as crazy...

Commuting to London doesn't sound feasible to me now....

I do the commute from Cambridge to London. I cycle to the station and it takes me about 1.5 hours door to door (sometimes longer). It is better than it sounds, I usually get a seat and enjoy having around 2 hours on the train where I can work, reply to emails or even just read a book or watch something on the laptop without feeling guilty. I know other mums who feel the same. I cycle 20 minutes to the station which gives me 40 minutes of exercise every day. it is much more affordable to live close to train station in Cambridge compared to London.
Could you work 4 days a week or one day from home? I telework one day which really makes a big difference.

Try Royston? 20 mins to Cambridge (plus the bus or cycle the other end), about 40 mins to Kings Cross.

Royston is a good idea - and I know loads of people that do the drive to Cambridge from there or vice versa - about 40 mins to the science park - and loads of trains to london and just check some are only 36 mins to kings cross

Would Waterbeach be any good? It's really near the Science Park and the station before Cambridge on the train (until the new station). I don't know what schooling is like there.