Monster Commutes

[Anonymous]

If the choice is a monster commute or be unemployed then we'll take the monster commute.

Not everyone wants to live in (fill in marginal neighborhood of DCUM trendiness.)

Some folks want a little bit of land.

In my case, I grew up in Front Royal and bought my hybrid in 2004, so yeah, when I thought about moving, Front Royal/Winchester were right up there.

In Winchester, a nice 1930s house, 2500+ square feet, updated, within walking distance of the downtown mall ... can be had for $400k.

Frankly, it's what I wanted to be when I was growing up. Limited ambition? Maybe.

The mansions in upper NW? I figured if I were that rich, I'd be living in Middleburg, Upperville, Aldie, Hume, etc.

In the realm of power-commuting, Front Royal to the Pentagon is really not that impressive. Hampshire County, WV to the Pentagon, now we're talking.

[Anonymous]

Columbia to Springfield commuter here. I am a gov't contractor so my assignments change regularly (about 2x/year.) There is no knowing where I will be and hence I can't plan to live near work. I am stuck for while longer in this job since they are paying for my Masters.

[Anonymous]

I interviewed for a job at Georgetown University a few years ago, and all the people I met acted like I lived on the moon or something.....when, in fact, I would have only been commuting from Kensington. Guess it's all in the eye of the beholder.

[Anonymous]

Coworker commutes WVA to SE DC every day.
He's got kids and a SAHW. They wanted to live in the country.

[Anonymous]

The monster commuters probably chortle among themselves about folks paying $750G for a rowhome with no yard and still have to send kids to private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed for a job at Georgetown University a few years ago, and all the people I met acted like I lived on the moon or something.....when, in fact, I would have only been commuting from Kensington. Guess it's all in the eye of the beholder.

You must not know us Gtown people.
Georgetown- locals
Arlington/Burleith- moving into the burbs
McLean/CC/Bethesda/closer in parts of Potomac- rich burbs
Alexandria/Silver Spring/Fairfax- wheres that? sounds far.

[Anonymous]

A former co-worker of mine commutes from Salisbury, MD to SE every day. When we worked together, he commuted from Salisbury to Alexandria every day. 2.5 hours each way every day in a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked with a guy who took Amtrak from Dupont to Wilmington Delaware every day. He was a consultant, so the cost was charged to the client (after earning him lots 'o points on the credit card). He just slept or read the whole way.

Joe Biden has this commute. I'm pretty sure I pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Well, Bidens commute costs us less than Leon Panetta's ...

I work with several people who commute via Marc from WVA to DC. I work for a law firm, and the salaries, both for admin and attys, are marked higher in DC versus WVA- so their commuting costs are way offset by the higher salaries they get working in DC. And they like living on nice properties with mountain views. Frankly I don't think it sounds so bad! None have kids living at home though.

[Anonymous]

I'm about to start McLean to Gaithersburg. It's reverse in the morning, but a beast in the evenings right now. Please open the hot
lanes!!

[Anonymous]

DH's coworker commutes from West Virginia to DC every day. Mostly on the MARC train.....

[Anonymous]

I read an article a few years ago about guys who worked at George Mason U. in maintenance (I think). They carpooled in every day from West Virginia and they had plenty of company doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These commutes are nits - from PA?! From W VA to DC?

I am very thankful, after years of metro hell, I commute 10 mins from Alexandria to Rosslyn

+1 Same commute here.

[Anonymous]

I used to ride in from Dumfries, VA to Bethesda, thankfully we moved to DC it was pure hell!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You see a lot of monster commutes at the Pentagon. I know someone who commutes from Front Royal and a couple from Warrenton or further out- those tend to be folks closer to retirement who have already bought the farm they plan to retire.

Have known several that commute from West Virginia - those tend to be young enlisted men who can't afford to live in this area.

Wouldn't the cost of such an extensive commute eat up most of the money you'd save living that far out? Like the admin who rides the bus from Richmond... how much can she possibly make to make that commute worthwhile? There's no admin jobs in Richmond?

That's my question too. With $4.50 gas prices as well as it being a a horrible waste of time. Maybe they are stuck in their homes and can't move? I'd rather live in a small condo closer to work than a bigger house far away, but that's just me. Can't imagine losing 3+ hours a day just to commuting...

My nanny and her family are moving to Stephens City VA. She is quitting and trying to find a job there, and her DH will commute daily to his TWO full time jobs in Herndon/Chantilly.

I know this is a foreign concept to the priveldged.