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Original poster

Colchester to London everyday commuting for work

19 replies

js1000 · 18/08/2014 09:04

Seriously am I being silly? Anyone doing this already or know somebody...

On paper its within an hour which is not bad as currently within London it takes me an hour to commute each way.
I haven't tried rush hrs journey, is it a nightmare? Will I get a seat from Colchester mainline ?

JS

OP posts:
Kimaroo · 18/08/2014 09:06

The thought of the cost of the season ticket is making my eyes waterGrin

TheCrimsonQueen · 18/08/2014 09:12

We moved from west London to Chelmsford 2 years ago mainly because of schools. We looked at Colchester but because we both work in London the extra 20 minutes if we needed to get back for the children was just too far.

You can get more house for your money in Colchester and I have friends who commute in But they all have a spouse who is either SAH or works locally.

I always get a seat coming in and we are closer so can't see that as a problem.

I don't regret moving out of London one bit. I love not being on the tube. I love the fact that my kids are in good schools and that we have a bigger house. can't recommend it enough.

Original poster
js1000 · 18/08/2014 09:29

I agree season tickets are very expensive but moving from 2 bed flat to four bed house is not that bad :) plus I work in East London.
Eventually in an ideal world, I would like to find a job locally too but not sure when.
How is the train service? I read some really harsh comments on other website about trains being filthy and late.

OP posts:
TheCrimsonQueen · 18/08/2014 10:42

The train service can be hit and miss. Generally I find Greater Anglia to be good. When it does go wrong it goes spectacularly wrong but its pretty infrequent.

I am not sure if you use the tube much given that you live in East London but the train is a million times better. cleaner, more comfortable than the tube.

The best thing about my commute is that I don't have to deal with TFL anymore.

Original poster
js1000 · 18/08/2014 10:48

Yes I do use tube everyday from West London to East London and I hate being trapped in the underground.
I really like the idea to work remotely (not sure how good is wifi) whilst in the train provided I get a seat.

OP posts:
Kimaroo · 18/08/2014 10:56

If you live near the station and can walk to your office from Stratford or Liverpool Street then it sounds a doddle. It's just when you have to include all the other variables, the time starts adding up.

Original poster
js1000 · 18/08/2014 11:01

Yes I can walk from Liverpool station. Just 10 min :)

OP posts:
minibmw2010 · 18/08/2014 18:32

DH commutes in every day and it's fine, I used to (for years) and I quite miss my time to myself Smile yes it's bloody expensive (close to £5k now Shock) and there is a risk (like all train services) of it going wrong but when it works it's great. 50 mins for a non stop train or 1 hour for an all stops.

Binkybix · 19/08/2014 16:49

I used to do it about ten years ago and hated it. But I think I hate commuting an unusual amount.

thekingfisher · 19/08/2014 16:52

ditto Mini's experience almost exactly so completely do able. I did it when DS was 4 months to 3 yrs old many moons ago and am now considering doing it again….

MmeMorrible · 19/08/2014 16:55

It's entirely doable - loads of commuters from Colchester to London every day. I travel into London often for work but am lucky that it's not every day (more like twice a week max) and I don't usually have to travel at peak times. I really wouldn't want to have to go back to doing it every day. It is tiring and is stressful if you have DCs in school back at home - those times when you have to drop everything and go back home & it takes a min of 1hr 30min to get there..

Don't forget to factor in time & cost of travelling to station & parking etc.

Original poster
js1000 · 19/08/2014 18:24

Thanks all for responding, it sounds more positive to me. The house we are considering is close to the station and I can work flexible hour. I'll be starting early and leaving early for home as DH will do the morning school run and I'll pick them in the afternoon.
Keeping my fingers cross ....deep breath.....

OP posts:
EssexMummy123 · 19/08/2014 22:14

It's awful at peak times - I regularly don't get a seat, don't think there has been a single week where i haven't had delays on at least one day. A few weeks ago my next door neighbour turned up at Liverpool Street around 5.30pm and got back at 11.30pm - that kind of total failure will happen once every few months so have a back-up plan for picking kids up.

Seriously - i'd look at something closer eg Ingatestone

TheCrimsonQueen · 20/08/2014 12:41

I agree with EssexMummy in terms of looking a bit closer particularly if you have small children. We went for Chelmsford as it was about 20/30 minutes closer to London by train and I think that makes a significant difference.

The cost of the season ticket is lower and gives you more comfort in getting back if the trains do come to halt. I have got the train to Epping and then shared a cab to Chelmsford to make sure I don't miss picking up the kids.

Frontier · 20/08/2014 12:48

I know someone who's been doing that commute for years. Colchester - Stratford but he drives. Gets in and leaves early to avoid the traffic and insists the benefits far outweigh the downside

Spickle · 21/08/2014 07:42

Another one here who thinks a commute from Colchester is just that bit too far. I travel on the same line but only have a 30 minute train journey. However, things do get delayed, cancelled etc and that can add a significant amount of time to the journey. Many years ago I did the commute from Rayleigh to Liverpool Street, which is around 45 minutes and that was quite enough.

WaveorCheer · 21/08/2014 07:46

I think colchester is too far, but I do Chelmsford - Stratford then jubilee line into Central London and I find it very civilised, actually. If you get the train before 7am then you always get a seat, and the jubilee line is so frequent a seat's no problem there either.

bberry · 21/08/2014 08:04

Well a walk to and from the station makes it easier fir a start.

I know lots of city folk who commute in from Colchester, unfortunately there are often delays and it's unlikely you will get a seat to work from (depending on travel time and jostling To get on train/gain a seat)

The best idea would be to go and spend a couple of nights up there with friends or a little hotel and do the actual commute at your times fir a couple of days

I used to do 1.15 hours each way.... Although from a quiet village station so always had a seat and you do just get used to it!

minibmw2010 · 21/08/2014 19:22

I used to get the 8am and always got a seat, you just had to know where to be on the platform for the doors etc.

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