Long commuting and dream job

[Fairy91]

Hello

I need some advice.

I found the perfect job in Hereford but I live in Worcester (UK) which is an hour away and I am very crap at driving. To say the least, I found it stressful. I'm just not good at driving for such a long time every day. Apart from that, it is expensive. I checked for the trains but they are at impossible times. I don't know what to do. I also bought a house 3 years ago in Worcester and only now I started to be more stable with my life in general and I don't want to move.
Any ideas or suggestions before I turn down my dream job?

I'm in Malvern and I prefer to drive to Hereford than I do to Worcester as none of that Powick roundabout nonsense- though that has much improved!

What side of Worcester are you? What side of Hereford is the job? This side of Hereford or being able to park this side would be fine, other side of the city- traffic can be awful at peak times.

Train isn't cheap and also would depend where the job is in relation to the station as that isn't totally central.

The drive to Hereford up the A4103 is actually pretty pleasant and doesn't feel long. Just be wary of the usual tractors - but they usually pull over or turn off after a short distance. Road is mostly wide enough to overtake cyclists.

I live in Warndon villages and the job is at Hereford hospital

I agree with doing a defensive driving course to become more confident.

Worrying about the drive is an OK reaction to have. You will be able to overcome the obstacles by practicing and by getting used to the commute

Not going for a job that you really want because it's an hour away seems silly. Don't talk yourself out of doing something that you want to do.

Honestly it's not a bad drive at all, it's virtually one road door to door. The only way you'll build your confidence with driving is to do it more often and for your dream job I would go for it.
Do you listen to podcasts? If so put them on in the car, it'll make the journey go quicker.

I agree that once you do the drive, you’ll get used to it. But the first few weeks at least are probably going to be an ordeal until you get to that point. If you can accept that, and understand it as necessary, then you can get through it. Allow yourself loads of time and take the train on some days if you can, and gradually build up.

Agree with PPs. Take the job and you'll soon get used to the drive. No harm in asking for WFH etc if that's better or even earlier starts and finishes to avoid bad traffic

A1403?

Check out liftshare, OP, sharing costs might help you & even share some driving/commutes.

What is impossible about the train times? Are your start and finish time fixed? If the train gets in at say ten past nine or ten past eight can you negotiate a different start time.
I know that commute and agree it’s not great.

Lots of good advice from other posters.
How about looking at strategies to help with your driving anxiety - hypnosis, therapy, advanced driving lessons?

Are you sure about inconvenient train times?
There's a direct train from Worcester to Hereford.

I think it would be fine, you'll get used to it quickly enough. Get a friend or family member to come in the car with you once just to scope out the route and settle you into it and after a couple of weeks you'll wonder what you worried about

This is a perfectly normal commute. Plenty of people have to do this (or longer) for something that isn't even a job they like.

As pp have suggested, perhaps take some extra driving lessons.