Long Commute
Long Commute
(OP)
Dear friends,
Sometimes I feel stupid spending the time I spend every day commuting to and from work. I am talking 2 hours each way!
You see I live in NY City and work in southern Connecticut (Fairfield County).
I do not want to move to CT, simply because I'd be depressed there- we all know how depressing suburbs could be.
It'll be somewhat of a relief for me to know that I'm not the only one who commutes so much. Or am I?
cheers
Sometimes I feel stupid spending the time I spend every day commuting to and from work. I am talking 2 hours each way!
You see I live in NY City and work in southern Connecticut (Fairfield County).
I do not want to move to CT, simply because I'd be depressed there- we all know how depressing suburbs could be.
It'll be somewhat of a relief for me to know that I'm not the only one who commutes so much. Or am I?
cheers





RE: Long Commute
Or do you use transit?
ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
Any way you could telecommute a day or two per week? How 'bout 4x10's or 9/80's?
Personally, I'd go nuts with a commute that far. Are you riding the train/bus? That's probably a bit better for at least you can sleep or read or veg or whatever (though I see more and more people reading as the drive!!).
RE: Long Commute
I don't even own a car, which one of the reasons I don't want to move to CT.
It costs me $293.00 per month to ride Metro North.
But otherwise I'd have to agree with you that driving each way would have been a pain.
adios
RE: Long Commute
ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee
RE: Long Commute
I used to have a job that I couldn't stand that was about 10 minutes from home. Loved the commute (through a park), but the job sucked so bad I couldn't stay.
Now my job is 38 miles from home, about a 50 minute to 1 hour commute each way on good days, and sometimes over 90 minutes when we have snow/rain/construction, which is most of the time in the Twin Cities. But, I love my job now and wouldn't ever go back to the previous one just for the commute.
Also, in an earlier life about 18 - 20 years ago, we lived in Chicago and commuted via train to the Loop every day from the suburbs - about 90 minutes door to door. I didn't really like the job that much, but it was easier to do when I was younger. It gave me a chance to read the newspaper, novels, etc. I even spent some of the time studying to get my Illinois S.E. license while commuting.
Per your question, you're not the only one who commutes so much, Pavlik. You just need to convince yourself that you're doing it for the right reasons.
RE: Long Commute
My commuting time is about 20 seconds.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: Long Commute
Compromise is required in making this kind of decision: for us we are willing to bear the extra expense, and on days that my wife drives, I can do some reading.
You seem to be travelling the opposite way - you want to live in the hustle-and-bustle, and keep the job you like.
Does the company you work for have branches, other offices, or different departments closer to home to which you could transfer? I see many others have suggested the tele-commuting option, but I for one work for a company that wouldn't tolerate this, and it would be pointless, for me anyway - my job requires me to be there, to see, touch and do.
If you wrote a "balance sheet" of the advantages and disadvantages in your current lifestyle, where would the 4-hours-per-day stand?
Steven Fahey, CET
"Simplicate, and add more lightness" - Bill Stout
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
If you like your job, don't mind the commute, and your family life doesn't suffer, then why make the move? $300 a month won't touch a decent car, insurance, gas, and maintenance! The fact that you don't have to *drive* the four hours a day is nice. From my viewpoint, the job, benefits and pay would have to be top notch or perhaps I'd just have to have a desire to NOT spend time with my bride and new baby to make that kind of commute each day!
E-
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
I got used to it. Started listening to more talk radio, and learned a foreign language.
But I have to admit, I don't plan on commuting so far for the next job.
Overall, I liked the commute on the way in, it was a time to listen to music, and get ready for work.
I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT ON THE WAY HOME THOUGH.
If your boss is cool, seriously considering working different hours for those of you who have to drive. You must avoid the night time traffic jams.
RE: Long Commute
Zip in and out of traffic.
Take the HOV lane.
Easy to find parking.
Good gas mileage.
Fun!
Riding a motorcycle doesn't always shorten the commute, however. You end up riding out of the way, just for the enjoyment. . .
Yeah, yeah, winter can be a b*tch tho.
RE: Long Commute
How do you take the HOV lane with a motorcycle? Unless I'm misinformed, HOV is for High Occupancy Vehicle.
And, zipping in and out of traffic may save you time, but can be extremely dangerous, especially if you zip around someone with serious road rage.
RE: Long Commute
I like the concept of a motorcycle, but while working in the ER, there is a reason we called motorcycle riders "organ donors". Even a 2000 lbm car versus a motorcyclist is no contest, but risk my life in a daily interaction with the 5000+ lbm SUVs driven by some who can barely see into the mirrors and insists on talking on their cell phones and eating? No, thank you!
The Italian intersections are comical to watch as the scooter/bike riders creep up to the front of the line around the cars at each light. It's like the start of a Formula 1 race at each red light! I'm amazed that in the two weeks we were there, we never witnessed a traffic accident even in those conditions!
E-
RE: Long Commute
As for the risk - it all depends on how much you will accept. There is obviously more risk, since there is no protection from impact built into the design. Safety gear may reduce the consequences somewhat.
The big advantage is accident avoidance. A motorcycle can often swerve around problems very quickly and easily, while the 5000+ lb SUV must take it straight on.
At least you would stay awake during the commute!
RE: Long Commute
I don't know how it is where you are, but owning a car in New York City is an expensive priviledge.
A comprehensive coverage for someone my age (25) is around $ 4,500 per year, on top of that there are tolls (typically $ 4-6 on most bridges), parking in Manhattan ranges between $ 200-600 per month, gas at $ 2.25 per gallon, etc.
Not to mention your car gets constant dents from someone parallel parking into you. Your mirrors get knocked off by FDNY trucks or some other jers in an oversized car if you forget to flip them in.
I appreciate all of your kind suggestions, but buying a car here- forgedabaoutit.
RE: Long Commute
If you are commuting on the public transit, then you can use the travel time productively and should not feel stupid at all.
I'f you have a family, you might want to calculate how much of your children's childhood you are missing.
Otherwise, lifestyles are not textbook, sounds like you are saving money, no car payment, no parking, no insurance....
BURGERKING: God I miss Whoppers....
RE: Long Commute
I once worked for Toshiba, with a lot of Japanese engineers and managers. Their average commute was over 2 hours. EACH WAY! One manager I worked with in the U.S. told me that he spent 8 hours commuting to and from work every day in Japan. I worked in their factory offices for a week, and walked, took the train, then a bus, then walked some more for about a 45 minute commute. And I was close by.
When I worked in London, I had a 1 hour commute that included walking, tube (subway), and bus, again for a fairly close distance (maybe 15 miles).
Living in a Houston suburb and working downtown took me about an hour each way (25 miles). That's probably average for a large city in mid-America, too (e.g. St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Dallas, etc.).
You're still young, so things like public transit, suburbs, family functions, and so on are all kinda boring. That's one reason I suggested a motorcycle, for it's something you might enjoy that isn't so boring, and you can have fun when you're not working.
However, each person must either accept his/her lot in life - or change it. Don't feel it's stupid to spend so much time commuting IF you enjoy what you're doing when you reach your destination.
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
When you look at the cost of $2.25 per Gallon try the UK at 0.79 pence per litre, ouch!
Great idea the balance sheet idea, but get your family (wife/partner kids etc) to add their pro's and cons.
Work to live don't live to work!
R
NOx
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
I have lived outside LA and Boston. Typical commutes in LA are 1-2 hrs (one way). Boston is about 1 hr if you are outside the beltway. But both cities had their advantages
I concur with the suggestions on books , laptops newspapers. Living in NYC is worth it.
RE: Long Commute
No more commute, no more worries except finding a new job in Manhattan.
adios
RE: Long Commute
pavlik - Good luck to you
HVAC68
RE: Long Commute
ProEpro
www.whitelightdesign.com
Pro/E FAQ www.whitelightdesign.com/servicestips.htm
RE: Long Commute
In many cases they are more than happy for you to work 5 10 hour days as well
Regards
RE: Long Commute
Mr. TransitHell.com
http://www.TransitHell.com
RE: Long Commute
my first post
i just stopped working in Yonkers from South Jersey (2 hrs on a good day) 3.5 last tuesday when it rained like cats and dogs
i called it quits, supposed to start in central jersey next week
but just to say, i know the feeling
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
Is that you ME 2000 MSU??
APH
RE: Long Commute
Other than that, hope you are able to find a new job closer and quick.
RE: Long Commute
Bigbillnky,C.E.F.....(Chief Electrical Flunky)
RE: Long Commute
Find a job where there is fun stuff to do after work such as snow skiing, hunting, fishing, or playing a sport such as baseball. Enjoy life and live it. What good are the $$ if you aren't living.
Just think, those two hours you are commuting to work, I am fishing, duck hunting, sleeping, or playing on the play station. Those two hours you are heading home, I have already hit the grocery store, cooked dinner, trained the retreiver, and played with the kids.
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
We live several hours away from a much larger city and were just there this past weekend. The old saying always went that "the bigger city paid more but housing costs and traffic were a headache". After being there this weekend and "looking around" we decided grass really is greener on the other side! Housing in the big city was actually less and my commute would be almost half of what it is now! The bottom line is if you think you can improve your situation, if you spend the time and effort to educate yourself, you probably can.
RE: Long Commute
RE: Long Commute
Presently I'm 6 miles door to door but it takes about 15 minutes since it's all back roads and there are 2 stop lights now.
"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein
RE: Long Commute
The drive back home at end of shift is 200km of dirt road through national parks and state forests. I can stop at a river crossing and have a swim or throw in a yabby (Australian freshwater crayfish) pot. Roasted on coals, they are the best bush tucker you can get. Drive home should take me 4hrs but I could take all day and consider it well spent.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
To get me back to an office based job in a capital city, they would have to promise me things that aren't quite legal in Australia.
LewTam Inc.
Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.
RE: Long Commute
I made a similar observation yesterday. My wife had ordered a truckload of wood for the fireplace (10 m3, yes she thinks big), that had been delivered and dumped on the driveway yesterday. I spent the whole evening picking up the wood and stacking it in the shed in the garden. During the first half hour the work started to annoy me, I calculated how much time=money I spending as an engineer doing this kind of job that any monkey could do. Then after 1 or 2 hours the monotonous picking up of two pieces of wood and arranging them nicely in a stable stack of wood 2.5 m high started to work as a therapy. My head went empty, gone the stress of the day, and I suddenly saw a homo sapiens (didn't know anymore whether it was 2005 A.C. or B.C. and it didn't matter) collecting wood to keep himself and his family warm. Time and money didn't matter anymore, there was only the wood that smelled nice and the promise of the fireplace heating up the living room...
Anyway, I hope you see the link between the two. There is no such thing as a "long" commute, there are only high quality commutes and low quality commutes. Only the latter are a waste of time.
RE: Long Commute
My Dad walks through 3 blocks of city, and across a beautiful campus (all told about 15 minutes)
My commute (starting monday)...
sunday, i take the train from my apartment to D/FW airport and boared an airplane. 2 hrs later arrive in Atlanta, take the train to miserable little room, sleep... get up... work for 5 days... Friday night, get on airplane in Atlanta, fly for 2 hours, take train home, kiss wife, fall asleep... door to door: Approximately 6 Days...
Makes me feel like my 1 hour each way commute in Los Angeles was pretty easy...
Wes C.
------------------------------
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...
RE: Long Commute
I went to high school across the county, we had a 90min. bus ride one-way. I was on the bus before 6am for four years. In the mornings I slept, and in the afternoons I talked, or read, or did homework, or listened to music, or slept more. Now I live 5min. from work and wouldn't have it any other way.
For me at least, dragging yourself through traffic is a waste of time, talk radio and books-on-tape nonwithstanding.
Aren't they working on cars that drive themselves? Once the bugs are worked out what a grand thing it will be. All time spent getting from A to B becomes Free Time!
RE: Long Commute
By "they" I of course mean "we" as engineers. Represent!
RE: Long Commute
your schoolyard commute sounds similar to mine, except that the school was across town, our bus ride took 1 and a half hours, that doesn't include the 1 hour wait after school b/c the bus was dropping off the junior grades first. To be honest the 1 hour wait and the bus ride were always enjoyable. The wait allowed us to involve ourselves in such intelligent pursuits as rugby or british bulldogs on a narrow field comprising of a brick wall on one side, rocks and dirt on the other side and a tree in the middle....I'm surprised that no one was seriously hurt actually, although the tree did take its fair share of victims.
The bus ride allowed us to laugh, joke and participate in fights which were left over from the field.
Ahh the good old days :)
RE: Long Commute
We just came to the decision that our non-work time shouldn't be filled with work-related activities (i.e. commuting). We've never looked back. I'd give my right arm to move back to MA, though I won't do it if it means my commute is largely increased. To me, that lost time just isn't worth it.