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How far would you commute for a good company?
Not actively looking, but have started keeping my eyes and ears open for job openings with better benefits. My current company pays well, but unfortunately the exorbitant cost of subpar benefits more than negates the pay raise.
There are a few companies in my area that are well-known for having great benefits (some even include parental leave which is a rarity in the US), but most would be at least an hour commute by car one-way.
Kristina Ashton
26
10/10/19 at 7:20PM UTC
This is more about the commute and the job allowing me to parent than about just the length of the commute itself. Commuting an hour is not possible, because that means that if there is an incident on the commute then I am late to pick up my child from school. I have more responsibilities than just home and work. I need to be within 40 minutes of my child's school to feel that I can be a consistent parent.
Not Applicable
368
09/11/19 at 1:30AM UTC
I'm commuting about 1.5 hrs each way into downtown DC from the suburbs. If I leave really early, it's not so bad because part of my commute is the (not so reliable) metro. Leaving early means getting home early, and it's worth it for me (even with little kids) because the pay downtown is pretty high + I work for an organization with a mission I believe in + the benefits are SUPER. I work in the association world, and that world isn't in my immediate backyard so the commute has been worth it. Tiring, but worth it. Plus, kids aren't cheap and I need to go where the money is. You just need to lay out the pros and cons and see what works best for you! It doesn't hurt to try the long commute to see if it works out...and the best companies offer telecommuting as an option, too.
Anonymous
09/07/19 at 5:36PM UTC
I commuted 34 miles (one way) for 20 years. If I left home at 5:30am I would get to my desk at 6:30 - unless there was an accident on the freeway. If I left home between 6:30am and 8:30am my one way trip would average 90minutes, sometimes more. If there was an accident add anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Coming home was always 90minutes minimum. Eventually I worked remotely so I only had to do this 2 days a week for the last 9 years.
Nancie ShumanHippy dippy Princess out to change the world!
803
09/06/19 at 7:31PM UTC
I have lived where I can literally see my office from my front porch. I have also commuted. While I don't LIKE commuting more than 20 mins, for the right company, I would be happy to do so. An hour one way, especially if there is public transit, is tolerable. Although, I may move closer.
I have, in the past, worked with people who were dealing with longer commutes, mainly because they were well invested in a company which moved. They all had massive stress due to the commute. Many were in positions that demanded their presence in the office daily, and opted to get a room or inexpensive apartment near work. It helped, although this may not be an option for you.
Carrie StilesCreate the "WOW!" Factor For Your Client
470
09/06/19 at 5:38PM UTC
Unfortunately, the insurance rates and benefits you provide are a deal worked out with the respective HR and insurance companies themselves. They are subject to revision every year, and depending on how the government changes the insurance regulations, the deal next year could be better or worse depending on the situation we find ourselves in. Some people even find it less expensive to purchase insurance on their own, rather than go thru their company at all. And, usually, the insurance premium you pay in today's market is all income driven any way.
Rose Holland
935
09/06/19 at 5:13PM UTC
It depends on your own tolerance for the drive. I have known people who commute over two hours each way. I commute less than 10 minutes but I have a coworker who commutes over an hour. She listens to audiobooks on her way to and from work and loves that time.
JB09718
332
09/06/19 at 4:04PM UTC
We had to relocate for my husband’s job and I commuted 2-3hrs (depending on traffic) each way for my job for nearly 3 years. It wasn’t easy but I felt my company and my job were worth it at the time.
Anonymous
09/05/19 at 11:21PM UTC
Door to door my commute is 2 hours... drive to station to train to NYC to walking 10 min to office.
I work from home 1-3x a week.
I leave at 430 to catch my 450 train.
I make better money than any local job.
It does suck in the winter when I don't see the light of day. Its especially hardest from November to April.
But, if you can use your commute effectively, say take conference calls or plan your weekly meals or read industry books or catch up on shows, do it. I've even done meditation apps on my commute (no one notices lol)
I find my commute is my time to focus on where no can bother me.
And as you build trust with your boss and company, they'll let you work more from home.
Anonymous
09/05/19 at 11:24PM UTC
I leave my house 730am in the morning and get to office by 915-930am.
I leave the office at 430pm and take the 450pm train.
My coworkers know I have a hard stop at 4pm each day to wrap up and head home.
It's also made me more efficient in how I work.
Gina DiamanteNews Editor at KPBS, San Diego's PBS/NPR station
880
09/05/19 at 11:07PM UTC
I have a one hour each way commute, and for my slice of SoCal that's a short commute.
Lea FichterRecruiting for Camuto Group (Designer Brands)!
171
09/05/19 at 6:02PM UTC
I've lived and worked in the NYC area for most of my career, and feel like a 45-60 minute commute each way is the norm here. Even when I lived on the Upper East Side and commuted 5 miles to Union Square, it took me 45 minutes door to door!
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