Commute to work - how long?

[cookderosa]

How long are you willing to spend in your commute to work one way?

[Merlin]

I used to commute 90+ minutes each way when I was working in silicon valley and I gave it up after about a year because after 10 hours at work (13+ hour day), by the time I got home I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was grab dinner and go to bed. That really hurt my work-life balance and morale.

I live near San Francisco and usually work in the city itself, so the minimum commute is about 30-45 minutes between driving, public transportation, and walking. These days, I usually don't even consider roles that require commuting more than 60 minutes each way. If I did, I'd make sure to negotiate for work-from-home days, so I can limit commuting to no more than 3 days a week.

[sanantone]

It depends on how long my shift is. I commuted 35 minutes for over three years, but I only worked an 8-hour shift without a lunch. When I started working a 10-hour shift with a thirty minute lunch, keeping me at work for 10.5 hours, my commute was 45-55 minutes because of traffic. I couldn't take it, so I moved as soon as my lease was up. When I worked 12-hour shifts, I was fortunate enough to only live five minutes away, but we were expected to show up to work 30 minutes early. If I'm only at work for eight hours, and I don't have to deal with traffic, then a 30 to 40-minute commute is fine. If I have to work 12-hour shifts, I want to live next door to my employer because that leaves you with little time to run errands, eat, and sleep. You can forget about socializing until your days off.

[jsd]

My commute used to be about an hour and a half each way, and I did that for many years. Started working from home in April.

It's certainly an upgrade, to say the least

[dfrecore]

I've never commuted more than 30-45 minutes each way, and that was in the Silicon Valley or Sacramento. Once it's longer than that, even with an 8-hr workday, that's too much time spent away from home.

I didn't work for 17 years, now I work from home and I love it. I do miss the camaraderie with coworkers though - but not enough to get a job where I'd have to go to a jobsite on a daily basis.

[davewill]

I've always been able to keep it under 30 minutes. Right now I'm working from home. I'd start commuting again for the right job, but not much over 30 min, I think.

[bluebooger]

I used to commute 90+ minutes each way ...

I got you beat by a little 
I used to do 1 hour 45 minutes each way (most of the time) 

short walk to the subway 
take subway to Penn Station 
from there take  LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to Mineola, Long Island
then take bus from train station to office complex 
short walk to office 

but sometimes coming home ... 
run from office to bus stop 
DAMN, missed bus -- wait 30 minutes for next one or call taxi to train station
DAMN, missed train --- wait 30 minutes for next train 
arrive at Penn Station 
take subway 
short walk home walk

[sanantone]

I used to commute 90+ minutes each way ...

I got you beat by a little 
I used to do 1 hour 45 minutes each way (most of the time) 

short walk to the subway 
take subway to Penn Station 
from there take  LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to Mineola, Long Island
then take bus from train station to office complex 
short walk to office 

but sometimes coming home ... 
run from office to bus stop 
DAMN, missed bus -- wait 30 minutes for next one or call taxi to train station
DAMN, missed train --- wait 30 minutes for next train 
arrive at Penn Station 
take subway 
short walk home walk

I forgot about when I had to take the bus. It took me three buses and 1.5 hours to get to work. I was paid $5.15 per hour. LOL

[Merlin]

I used to commute 90+ minutes each way ...

I got you beat by a little 
I used to do 1 hour 45 minutes each way (most of the time) 

short walk to the subway 
take subway to Penn Station 
from there take  LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to Mineola, Long Island
then take bus from train station to office complex 
short walk to office 

but sometimes coming home ... 
run from office to bus stop 
DAMN, missed bus -- wait 30 minutes for next one or call taxi to train station
DAMN, missed train --- wait 30 minutes for next train 
arrive at Penn Station 
take subway 
short walk home walk

When I was commuting to the south bay/silicon valley, it was similar for me...

1. drive 20 minutes to the train station
   
2. wait for the train (0-30 min, depending on timing and parking options)
   
3. get off the train and walk to the bus stop (5 min)
   
4. wait for bus to office complex to arrive (0-20 min)
   
5. short walk to the office (2 min)
   

If everything aligned (no traffic issues, timed the train and bus correctly) then I could get to work in about 90 minutes door to door. On bad days it could be well over two hours door to door. If I missed the train, it was at least a 30-minute wait until the next one. Coming home if I missed the train it was 60 minutes until the next one since the stop for my office wasn't a primary stop.

I could also drive the whole way. That could get me to work in 60 minutes if traffic was on my side, but traffic usually added at least 30 minutes, and by the time I got to work I was stressed out and no fun to be around. The train takes a bit longer but was usually much less stressful.

I hated that commute.

[burbuja0512]

I would say that it depends on the weather. I commuted in Chicago about 45 minutes each way. I didn't love it, but boy I got through some great audio books and Pimsleur language packs!

However, the catch is the weather. If you have a solid 45 minute commute on a sunny day, it's ok. Add some snow on a regular basis and forget it. All I can say is make sure you hit the restroom on the way out of the office or that is a LONG ride home!!!