Two Hour Commute - Anyone done it?

the_Grinch

I had an opportunity come across that was really interesting. Single environment working on what amounts to a cyber hunt team. It would be a 50% pay increase for me, but I would need to commute four hours a day for at least a month. It would probably be about an hour car ride and then an hour on the train. If possible, to pay off my car and some student loans I would continue the commute for about a year. Any thoughts?

colemic

Why at least a month, then you said you'd do it for a year? Any chance of relocating?

Personally, I'd be all over that for a 50% pay bump, although wife/family life would definitely be impacted, and would probably deter me from it. But if I were not married I'd do it in a heartbeat.

cyberguypr

That is hard. I don't mind long train rides as I can do stuff while commuting, but driving an hour on top of a train ride, not so much. I wouldn't be able to do it for more than a month or two.

5ekurity

That's more than half of your day doing work related activities. Not saying it's not possible, but I think your personal life is going to suffer greatly. Let's assume a 9 hour work day (including lunch) + 4 hours of travel = 13 hours / day for work related activities. Multiply by 5 days a week, you are looking at a minimum 65 hour work week. So you're getting a 50% increase for working 50% more - it about evens out, no?

Tom Servo

It will really really really suck. Also - is that four hours best case? Or will there be possible traffic/accidents, train delays, etc that leave you in the car 5 or 6 hours sometimes? I am a firm believer that most anyone can tolerate something for a year, but I would have a definite plan in place to not have that kind of commute much longer than that.

J_86

A commute that long gets old really quick. I used to commute 1 1/2 each way for a contract, it sucked. You never know if you are going to hit traffic or the train is delayed, so your 2 hour commute turns into 3 or more hours. Do you really want to spend that much time just getting to a from a job? A 50% pay bump is nice thought, if your family can deal with it for the short term before you can relocate that is a tough call.

the_Grinch

Thanks all! Relocation is possible for sure and I figure it would take me at least a month to find a place. But the chance to pay down a few bills if I suck it up for a year would be awesome. Yeah that two hours does factor in traffic/train delays, but you are correct it is roughly 50% more time devoted to work. As always, the perspective is appreciated!

J_86

If you plan on relocating when you find a place, I say go for it. It will suck, but if it is only temporary a 50% pay increase would be worth it as long as you are not relocating to some location where the cost of living went way up.
I'd also make sure they know you are commuting a long distance while you work on relocating so that they can be a little flexible with your time, etc.

joelsfood

I've done it, but it definitely sucks, particularly if you have to drive part of it. Definitely weigh out all of the costs/benefits.

If you do it, make good use of the time in the car/train. Study, listen to books, etc. Otherwise you'll tire of it even sooner.

N2IT

60 is 50% increase of 40 and income is 50% more so financially per hour you are breaking even. However, if you can move and shorten that time down and it's a job you like then go for it!

Cyberscum

Just come up with an opportunity cost “in dollars” lost for the hours you will spend on a train or commuting. Subtract that from the 50% pay increase and if you are willing to take that “actual” salary then do it…If not don’t.

jibbajabba

I commuted 2.5hrs for two years (each way), starting sometimes at 7am in the morning. I was just lucky that the office was next to the train station - otherwise it would have been a heck of a lot more.

The problem wasn't so much the 5hrs on the train wasted per day (well it kinda was), but more so the cost.

My annual train ticket was about £5000 / $7500 - and they are rubbish. In addition to the long journey, I also had to take an earlier train still because the train is not reliable and was late 80% of the time. And the local train companies are allowed to increase the price annually above inflation time.

Average price increase per year is anything between 4-12% .. depending on route.

Having said that - you could argue - why would anyone do this.

I am in the UK and in my area a job pays £30k / $45k .. The exact same job pays in London at least £55k / $85k

So yes, you travel a lot, but even at the mentioned train costs, it is still worth it ..

Is it fun ? Oh hell no ...

Jon_Cisco

If your end goal is to relocate then I would say go for it.

Just keep in mind that you will have that crazy commute even if the job turns out to be not quite what you hoped for. There is a risk that you will not be happy with the new job and that will make the commute a lot harder to deal with. Something to consider before you are in that situation so you can be prepared for any outcome.

Good Luck!

N2IT

Cyberscum wrote: »

Just come up with an opportunity cost “in dollars” lost for the hours you will spend on a train or commuting. Subtract that from the 50% pay increase and if you are willing to take that “actual” salary then do it…If not don’t.

The math is easy. 60 is .5 increase from 40 and 50% of your wages is an increase of your salary. You are breaking even on the hourly rate.

N2IT

Cyberscum wrote: »

^
I know I suck at math, but how is 60 .5 increase from 40?

Also consider the loss in non-work related activities like time from family and I would say it would be a loss.

My bad I tried to type way to fast with other things going on LOL

40 . 5 is 20 which gives you a 50% increase in hours which hits 60. Then 50% increase in income is static regardless of what the OP is originally making. The hourly breakdown is going to be the same.

I was agreeing with you just saying figuring out the hourly financial impact was pretty quick, of course I botched the formula because I drank 3 coffees and now I am doing 4 things at once.

novovictus

I took a position a while back that was supposed to be a 1.5hr commute but was never less than 2. Traffic often made it 2.5-3hrs one way. I accepted if for a pay increase, and I like driving so it wasn't that bad. I would leave at 4am and try to be in between 6-7. I would sometimes leave as early as 2pm and be home at a normal time with the family. Despite being able to maintain somewhat normal living conditions and enjoying driving, it wore on me pretty quick.

Just the fact that you started the topic would tell me you have reservations. Salary can help make the decision easier, but it would be a tough life style. In the end the decision is yours to make, but unless you do relocate, I would say this would be a tough sale.

Cyberscum

N2IT wrote: »

My bad I tried to type way to fast with other things going on LOL

40 . 5 is 20 which gives you a 50% increase the hours hits 60. Then 50% increase income is static regardless of what the OP is originally making. The hourly breakdown is going to be the same.

I was agreeing with you just saying figuring out the hourly financial impact was pretty quick, of course I botched the formulas because I drank 3 coffees and now I am doing 4 things at once.

mmmmmm 3 cups of coffee. God I love coffee, I wonder if coffee is one of the main addictions the IT world struggles with?

N2IT

@ Cyber

I used to be a huge beer drinker back in my earlier twenties, it was fun when I could roll out of bed at noon and head to class. Now with two kids and my addiction to IT / geeking stronger than ever coffee has become my addiction! I'll gladly replace a black out with an anxiety attack though

ajs1976

Cyberscum wrote: »

I wonder if coffee is one of the main addictions the IT world struggles with?

Mt. Dew.

the_Grinch

I have a two Monsters a day habit and occasionally I'll throw 3 or 4 cups of coffee in the mix as well. Thanks again guys! Relocation is definitely an option/the end goal.

hurricane1091

Cyberscum wrote: »

mmmmmm 3 cups of coffee. God I love coffee, I wonder if coffee is one of the main addictions the IT world struggles with?

Energy drinks too.

JGDaily

Man, my work is only 17 miles away from my house. But with this Los Angeles traffic, it takes me from 1 to 1.5 hour commute (one way) to get there.

Music will be your best friend!

kohr-ah

I have done hour and a half each way for 1.5 years and you get used to it. It sucks some days but all and all wasn't bad.
My case was an hour 10m min train ride then usually a 20 min walk.

BradleyHU

nah man....i couldn't do that!!! maybe if it was straight train or bus, but you have to drive an hour too...no thanks!!!

ande0255

My commute is normally 60 minutes, but if it snows or someone crashes on the highway it jumps to 2-3 hours one way, if it snows while I'm at work its 3 hours easily back home across the Twin Cities.

I have worked it out with my manager to work remotely on the days it snows or I check traffic and it shows the highways are f'd than I just work from home... so in the winter I work a lot.

iBrokeIT

How far is your commute currently? You going to be spending 20 hours a week on something work related that you aren't going to be compensated for doing.

If you are going to do it for over a month why not just break your lease as soon as you accept the job and move. The time and money spent commuting would probably be more than the break lease fee.

anhtran35

It's not just the commute that one should factor but the toll on one's health. When will you have time to workout? You'll be exhausted. You need to relocate ASAP. I would never commute 2 hours each way. That's ridiculous.

--chris--

Cyberscum wrote: »

mmmmmm 3 cups of coffee. God I love coffee, I wonder if coffee is one of the main addictions the IT world struggles with?

ethiopian yirgacheffe...thats my addiction.

@Grinch, don't you live in Michigan? If thats the case, I am curious what this opportunity is. Pm me? Not that I would qualify, it just seems to me that these types of jobs don't exist in this area.

hurricane1091

1 hour is like my max. People do NYC to PHI though and crazier things. Happens.

Bchen22

YOU BETTER BE GETTING PAID REALLY DAMN GOOD ALONG WITH OTHER GOOD PERKS otherwise forget it

BradleyHU

hurricane1091 wrote: »

1 hour is like my max. People do NYC to PHI though and crazier things. Happens.

but those same pplz are taking a bus and/or train...