Job with long commute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in MoCo and refuse to even look at jobs in Virginia, solely because of the traffic. I assume most Virginians do the same.

If there was a metro line connecting the red to the silver, that would sure make a world of difference.

No freaking kidding. DH and I both work in Tysons but have to live in Bethesda due to family obligations. i don't understand why there is no mass transit link of any sort across the American legion bridge. I would happily pay higher taxes to make it happen. (Maybe not if wmata administered it though...)

[Anonymous]

I did something similar.

In some ways I regret it. Besides the commute time taking away either from family time or work time. Some of the logistics is harder to figure out due to not having the option of public transportation anymore. Not to mention the added costs due to commuting.

I do enjoy the work more and that matters too. So am willing to stick it out as long as it's working for our family.

But if the right opportunity ever came up closer to home, I'd probably seriously look at it even if there are aspects that I don't like about it.

With an infant there are a couple of ways of looking at it. Depending on your childcare situation, if it was anything like ours, this would probably be the better time to work in a job with a longer commuter. Where our daycare had earlier drop off and later pick up hours.

Once your child goes to school it becomes less flexible or more expensive with having to find before and/or after care option. When we get to this point is probably when I'll have to reevaluate the circumstances.

This is even more the case if you think you'll be moving in the next couple of years. Where you might either find another job closer to home or move closer to the job.

I've considered taking our child closer to where I work but don't want them sitting in the car for the entire time. An issue is that I don't want their sleep schedule to be affected if they nap during the car ride.

You can ask about the telework and flexible hour policies before accepting the position to get a feel if you think it'll work for you. If you don't think it'll work, it may be better to wait for a better opportunity.

[Anonymous]

I do it. Bowie to Tyson's. I've done this for 3 years and I have a 2 year old. No telework but hours are very flexible. It's tough but manageable

[Anonymous]

DO NOT DO IT. I have been doing a 80 mile combined commute for last 4 years, next year we will be within 15 mile radius and I am counting days. For me, I have option to work from 7 to 3:30 which has kept my commute at 1 hr each way. I tell you, it is PURE HELL. I have no idea what made me not give up but if I could go back and change time, I wouldn't have taken this job. Also, I do the same commute, 270 to VA, it's the 4th circle of HELL.

[Anonymous]

There are back roads between Potomac and , look into those so you can avoid 270 and some of 495.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - moving this year is not an option financially. We plan to move in 2017.

Oh for Heaven's sake. You can stand on your head for one year if you're sure that's all it is. You might even consider using a planned 2017 move as part of a negotiation for short-term flexible hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are back roads between Potomac and , look into those so you can avoid 270 and some of 495.

That's a lot of additional mileage for barely any time savings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are back roads between Potomac and , look into those so you can avoid 270 and some of 495.

That's a lot of additional mileage for barely any time savings.

And a lot of speed cameras to navigate through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - I have an infant..

With beltway traffic - it would be minimum 1 1/2 hrs each way during rush hour. No direct metro or bus routes.

If I could do 2 days work from home I could manage it.

How to negotiate?

No way I would take a job with a commute that long. You will barely see your baby on the days you work, if at all. 3 hours minimum commute + 8 hours workday = 11 minimum.

[Anonymous]

okay- so my commute is close to that, but the opposite way (Arlington to Rockville). It is difficult. It can be much better if you can adjust your hours, and telework a couple days a week. (that's what I do- start work at 7am and telework 2-3 days a week.)
If you re planning to move in 2017 you can suck it up until then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are back roads between Potomac and , look into those so you can avoid 270 and some of 495.

That's a lot of additional mileage for barely any time savings.

And a lot of speed cameras to navigate through.

It's actually not too bad depending on where you're going.

Where sometimes traffic just sits still on 270 and 495 spur and taking those backroads puts you right in the lane to get on the GW Parkway.

I've never really had a point of reference to compare it to to confirm that it helps but at least you're always moving.

One issue is that there are many other people going that route too. So it's possible that it might take a while going that way as well and not be much difference, like how previous posters mentioned.

Tysons is a bit further down after the bridge and you have to get past the 267 exit first.

But I used to cut through that way when I had to take the GW Parkway and saw traffic backed up on 270.

[Anonymous]

No way in Hades.

[Anonymous]

If you monve daycare out to Tysons, then you still have to go drop the kid off/pick up even if you telecommute, so I wouldn't do that.

If you think you will love the job and your move in 2017 is going to be closer to Tysons, suck it up and do it, assuming you can telework at least once a week, and preferably two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:okay- so my commute is close to that, but the opposite way (Arlington to Rockville). It is difficult. It can be much better if you can adjust your hours, and telework a couple days a week. (that's what I do- start work at 7am and telework 2-3 days a week.)
If you re planning to move in 2017 you can suck it up until then.

I have the same commute and no way it's close to 60mi round trip. This is on another level and it's a semi reverse commute. I would try driving it once just to see if it's bare able for you, otherwise you might have to hold out for another gig.

[Anonymous]

No way in hell.