Finally a job offer, but terrible commute

[Anonymous]

I would take it, keep looking, and give yourself permission to quit in a year if it’s horrible.

[Anonymous]

I have been doing this for 20+ years (did it the whole time my kids were growing up.)

Get up early and get on the road. I am on the road most days by 6:30a. I am there working by 7:30a and head out around 4p. I take meetings on the road while I drive home if needed.

Find podcasts you like.

Use the time to catch up with family/friends while you drive home

It really isn't that bad for a job you really like (or need.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been doing this for 20+ years (did it the whole time my kids were growing up.)

Get up early and get on the road. I am on the road most days by 6:30a. I am there working by 7:30a and head out around 4p. I take meetings on the road while I drive home if needed.

Find podcasts you like.

Use the time to catch up with family/friends while you drive home

It really isn't that bad for a job you really like (or need.)

+1. I’m doing this now, have been for 21 years and as a mom raised two kids during that time.

[Anonymous]

You put up with six months and then you earn your two days WFH. Suck it up, buttercup. A lot of people would weep with joy for such an opportunity in this job market. You sound like a twerp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough information here to weigh in. Do you have a family and kids who will be impacted by this commute? Are you the mom or dad?

How is this relevant to anything explain it to me like I am six I really wanna know thank you

I didn't post this, but I assume what the PP was trying to say--is that sometimes adults need to suck it up and take jobs they would rather not take because there are bills to pay and children to feed.

No, not do believe PP was trying to suggest something about the difference in the value of mothers versus fathers. Because I think PP is a shitty person.

Yeah, the op said they did not need the job financially already.

[Anonymous]

It is easier to get a job if you already have a job. Accept this job but keep looking for another job and then when you get a better offer take it.

[Anonymous]

Tbh I think recent post covid years have warped our brains. The commute you describe OP would have been 5 days a week in office pre covid. That you can do two days at home is awesome. I would take the job especially if you like all the other factors about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother in law loves his job and I have never heard him complain about his hour plus of interstate driving each way. I'd try it and see. You might love podcasts or books on tape and not mind the drive so much.

Your anecdote about your brother-in-law does not refute the many studies that show that long commutes are bad for physical and mental health.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819363/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214140523001676#:~:text=Results,interval%20%3D%201.04%E2%80%931.29%5D.

You know what's also bad for your mental health? Undesired unemployment. It's easier to get a job when you have a job. I'd try it at least.

+1

[Anonymous]

Since it’s along an interstate, are there other options like the train or carpooling available?

Honestly, an hour commute with two days from home in the near future doesn’t sound bad to me. 5 days a week WFH for 5 years straight sounds awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laid off several months ago, navigating a terrible job market in my late 40s. Finally have an offer for a decent job, but the commute is terrible. At least an hour of heavy interstate traffic each way, potentially longer in the evening. I’ve been working from home for five years, so this will be a huge adjustment. After six months, I can do two days a week from home, but I’m still questioning whether doing this drive three days a week is even sustainable.

We will be fine financially if I don’t take it, but I like working. With the job market the way it is, I’m afraid I’ll never have a job again if I don’t take this one. (Unless I completely pivot to a new field, but I don’t even know what that would be.) The longer I’m out of work, the more useless and isolated I feel.

What would you do?

Live where you want to, work where you have to.

An hour commute in traffic is nothing. It’s podcast time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in your exact position two years ago and took the job. It’s fully 5 days/week in person so 3 days doesn’t even sound that bad, relatively speaking. I love everything about the job except the commute so that definitely helps. Hopefully you have a supportive spouse (I do), that’s crucial especially at first because having to do that commute after being remote for years is beyond exhausting, they’ll definitely need to step up.

I’m going to disagree with those who said to WFH Mondays and Fridays. At least for me, the worst traffic day is Wednesdays. If I were allowed to chose a WFH day that would be the day.

Agree with this! Monday and Friday traffic is pretty light, the middle of the week is noticeably busier (though Friday afternoon traffic can be heavier - especially in the summer, if you're on a good vacation route). Schedule your TW days in the middle of the week, if at all possible.

Also, can you flex? Either come in early and leave early, or do very long days and take one day off every pay period.

[Anonymous]

An hour is pretty easy in the scheme of commutes. My commute used to be 45-an hour from Friendship Heights downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take it and keep looking

+1

[Anonymous]

There day a week is nothing. My office has a dumpy cheap extended stay hotel near the office. Safe just kinda dated and dumpy. Even a free breakfast.

Rule is 30 day and more stays exempt from hotel tax. My co-worker talked to manager directly and paid for 30 days in advance direct via Debt card non refundable.

He lets her used the days down to zero than reload her balance. She checks in after work Tuesday and checks out Thursday morning. She paids around $65 a night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough information here to weigh in. Do you have a family and kids who will be impacted by this commute? Are you the mom or dad?

How is this relevant to anything explain it to me like I am six I really wanna know thank you

You must not have any children. If you do, you must be a terrible parent.