. 2 years ago, my husband and I bought a house in the Pittsburgh burbs and we both commute into the city. Ive never lived in CA, so I cant speak to whether thats normal for the area, but that sounds miserable and not something you should accept. However I do have a lot of flexibility about WFH and hours (lots of early morning calls), so it all works pretty well for me. She recently moved to Santa Monica to be near her job. None of these things actually make the commute shorter, but it keeps you going. Right now Im at about 45-50 minutes depending on metro waits. But 2 hours? My home is only 31 miles away from my office, and my commute takes me 1.5 hours door to door on a good day (no railroad or subway issues). I moved from Brooklyn to California (Antelope Valley, high desert). The weather is compatible and for that distance it should be much, much faster. It might be normal for LA, but it can really kill your quality of life. I have a 10-15 min drive to/from work. Obviously theres a lot of variability, but it is not at all abnormal for people to commute 2+ hours to and from work here. I was used to doing drop off and pick up from day care and I couldnt do that anymore. Whether you should accept this commute comes down to the extent to which you need to unwind from your work life and transition into your home life, and the extent to which you can do that in your car. Now Im going from Kingston to a small town in Surrey, and its nice to be going against traffic most of the time (the traffic is caused by schools or roadworks). Yikes. Im currently at my shortest commute- 15 minutes from inside my condo to inside my office. I would rather drive than depend on public transportation, which doesnt save me any time at all either. The worst place is Stockton, where 8% of commuters travel 90 minutes or more to work. Its absolutely aggravating and I do not think I can keep this up much longer. The weather in LA is not that great; San Diegos is much better IMO. There are lots of nice areas that arent super expensive, and it would immediately solve both of your commutes. Lombard to Deerfield is a haul, congrats on finding something closer. Always awful unless I did seriously shifted hours. Yep! Leaving a little earlier might be worth it if you find that it allows you to relax more on the road, even if it does increase the overall time. All rights reserved. Who knows! Even same side of town can be 2 hours if it rains! It ends right at Union Station, so you can connect to any of the other lines that head out into the rest of LA. Yeah, if that was the tone, that sucks. I am lucky that I live and work quite near highway entrances/exits, and I work 7-3 (and usually get to work by 6:30). Most days, its at least an hour. my commute is about 35 minutes. More than 4 hours commute time! I want to point out that the OPs situation and the article Alison links to is Apples to oranges. The traffic headed to Hayward was absolutely miserable, the traffic on the main road I took in Hayward was miserable (Why did the chicken cross Industrial Boulevard? Guess what I did? Another 15-20 minutes by shuttle, with wait times in between all, obviously. God, that is a terrible commute. After graduating, it was 50-60 minutes from home to work. I can definitely see where doing it on public transit would make this sort of commute much more bearable, as then what would be windshield time on a car commute can then be used for other more enjoyable/productive things. When I lived in Houston, my commute was just under an hour, but I was only going 4 miles door to door so At one point it was ~2 hours, but then I was living a whole 15 miles away. If it's a good work opportunity you might as well give it a try. Evening commute (after 6 pm) is actually a little faster average is 45 minutes, up to 70 minutes. I live in NJ and commute into NYC and my commute is roughly two hours door to door. (Also comedy podcasts.). After sitting in your car for 4 hours, dont waste any of your time TALKING about sitting in your car. Picking Up Three Kids At Two Different Locations In Provo Twice Week. I wont leave SoCal again til I shuffle off this mortal coil. Am I crazy? miles. My advice is to either find a new job or move. I used to have a 65 minute commute for my first professional job. Although I was in school for the first few years in LA, I also consider this a commute. Varsity Veterinary Center is located in the hip College Park neighborhood of Orlando. They both decided that we should get off the highway and go the backroads, which, of course, was probably one of the worst neighborhoods and were driving a rented Camaro convertible. In my last semester of college in Sacramento in the mid 1970s, I lived in San Francisco with my boyfriend and commuted the 90 miles each day. LA isnt great for that as far as Ive seen and I cant imagine drivers there being fantastic about sharing the road. There is one (1) single freeway to get from the east side to the west side. But driving, I dont want to spend more than an hour a day in the car. And its even got the added bonus of freeing up the Pasadena parking lots because fewer people are leaving their cars there, theyre leaving them at the Azusa stop. LA is ok to visit, but I will never live there again. I think the plan would be to do this while I apply for jobs locally and move my life back home again. She thought she was lucky because she only worked 4 days a week. The trade offs were the unique work opportunities in my field and a 4 ten hour day schedule. As others have. My sympathies OP. My husband and I are considering buying a house right now, and since we live in a city where walking is not common, our realtor seems bemused by the fact that we outright reject anything more than 2.5 miles from my office. I would find 2 hours each untenable, and thats okay! It was horrible and I wasnt even driving for most of it! But those are 6 very, very long miles if you drive. Perhaps this has been suggested already, but can you move closer to your job? OP has to decide if the weather and the job is worth the trade-off of time. Much better. Once a week should be quite manageable. So I would draw the line at 1 hour from door to door for driving commute. I am his assistant and I understand bringing up flex hours for my role will 99% not work. If it were by bus I might not feel the same way, but Ive never had to deal with that. In June my company is moving to a location five minutes from my house, and even though Ive been unhappy I quit my job hunt just for that reason. But that same commute on Friday afternoon will take two hours. Theres a big difference between having an hour commute where youre steadily moving the entire time and spending an hour in non-moving traffic. I used to have a 1.5 2hr commute (depending on rush hour) from a part of Northern VA into DC, so its definitely not just California. He is planning to stay at his job for a while, so we are in the early stages of looking to move. Ive been trying to reclaim my commute time and think of it as time to recharge, listen to a podcast or audiobook, basically just enjoy myself as much as possible while sitting still staring at taillights. It will also wear on your car. I would keep in mind if the route takes you through rush hour traffic, if it does that normal 2 hour drive might become 3. OP, I saw youre putting in notice good luck! Its insane. When I accepted that job I was told I might be able to telecommute one or two days a week but the culture there really didnt seem open to my doing so. A 2 hour commute is a reason to move. Many people commute 2hrs+ every day. This is explains why the traffic that makes us crazy here in Texas is seen as a breeze to all of the people moving here from California. Mercifully I did not have a highway commute, and you put together your little routes and tricks that make it more bearable for you. NYC had an incentive to grow *up*, where LA had more incentive to grow *out*. It was a very frustrating drive for more than one reason. ! turns out, its even worse than people said. Its notorious for bad traffic and long commutes. I dont have any advice but you have my deepest sympathy. Id still bring it up to your boss if thats not tenable for you personally there may be another work around, like you leave at 3pm but have a wireless headset in the car to direct calls, and you arrive before him every morning to finish the tasks left for you the previous evening. I go with the flow of traffic in the morning and afternoon. If I moved to the mountains, barring a resort town I found find the same Im sure. I like you, I thought my commute would not be too bad (give or take 20 to 30 mins every day). But people do. And its been getting progressively worse. Its more common/normal than folks think, though (this is the problem with averagesvery short commutes and long commutes offset each other). Experiment with routes and see if theres some alternatives that work for you. That sounds completely normal. My commute now is 35 minutes walking, 12 minutes by bike or bus. Not as long as your commute, but still longer than what I am used to. Makes the journey so much more enjoyable, to the extent that sometimes Im even looking forward to getting into the car for an extended period. If youre interested in going that route, Lunacycle is an ebike manufacturer based in El Segundo that you could visit. Seriously. A 10 to 12 hour day with 3 hours travel and 6 hours of sleep leaves you with 3 to 5 hours a day for everything else. You can see them broken down by metro area here and by county here. WAZE can take you on this back roads, and I agree, sometimes it does help to not go crazy from just sitting on a freeway, but it can be an adventure! Im sorry, OP. Its an awesome daycare, but we hate this. But also yes, if youre planning to stay in LB, its really better to find a job nearer to where you live. From what I hear, though, thats probably normal for your area. Ive been clicking through to different infographics for like half an hour now. I live and work in Contra Costa County SF Bay Area, across the Bay Bridge past Oakland. My car doesnt have tinted windows and isnt the most comfortable, so even though theyd have paid me more, all that would go towards offsetting the increased expense of car maintenance. I still live in San Francisco. While youre driving here, its still similar to NYC in that its all about the minutes it takes, not the miles. I hit a raccoon, squirrel, snake and deer with my car. But at night traffic honestly doesnt clear up till like 7:30-8 pm here which is an hour before my bed time. Living in San Francisco has skewed so much my sense of whats expensive that my first reaction to you saying this was Only $2000?!. :(. I got to the final round of interviews, and got a lot of funny looks when I explained how I was excited to relocate for this job because I really wanted to move to LA. I hope you find the perfect combination. I knew it was bad, but to witness it, wow. Now I live in Jersey and my commute is 1 hour and 15 minutes the same as it was from Harlem to my job on the lower east side. LA is currently investing in more public transit, now, but it will take years before it comes online. The idea of driving into the city center or to the other side of the metro area makes me shudder. Groundwork cafe at the north Hollywood intersection of the redline and orange line has glorious gluten free baked goods(Im celiac, so I live by my map of places that I can eat). (No kids, no plans for kids, just husband and dog and the enjoyment of my couch and tv. The premise of this is just bonkers to me. I used to live in Northridge and worked in El Segundo, 405 all the way. (The other big difference is that NYC is built on ground well suited to subways, where LA is built on geologically unstable, wet sand. I got mugged years ago walking home from the train, and its taken me years not to be afraid of walking alone in the dark. I came here to suggest the LA Metro! Orange County comes up in a search for LA in idealist.org, so I didnt even realize it wasnt the same as LA. I think normal is relative to where you live. Even though its not far as the crow flies, I have to budget up to 90 minutes to get to work. I could drive, but parking at my workplace is expensive and wed have to buy a second car on top of everything. While my to the office commute was short, I did travel alot and the drive to/from LAX was horrible. And as AAM said, normal or not, what can you handle? Yeah, this is an interesting point. Employees who are called back to work on a holiday are entitled to at least 2 hours pay at the holiday premium pay rate (5 U.S.C. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/us/california-today-super-commutes-stockon.html, Link is in moderation, but the article is called California Today: The Rise of the Super Commuter. Two deer and two totaled cars in less than a year. It costs the community when you dont have the energy at the end of the day/week to get involved in groups or organizations that could have gained from your presence and contribution. It costs you weekends when you dont go out and do much because youre so tired and just want to stay out of the car for once. I did take the bus up and back once when my car was in the shop. On weekends its only $10.00 for a metrolink day pass that gets me all the way there and back on metrolink trains and also the metro in Los Angeles. Often surface streets can take less time during rush hour (or feel like it because you are moving), you just need to figure out which ones work for you. That said, your 'training is done' and you've not got to go out again after work. We moved, and now Im just a little too far to walk to the Metra stop by my new house. It doesnt have to be. I did not get the job. MERCED? OP is far from an outlier, but it doesnt mean she HAS to keep up a brutal drive like that. Ive had that experience a few times where Ill go to Los Angeles or through San Bernardino and catch the traffic at EXACTLY the wrong time. At one point, my ATL commute was 2 hours each way, and that was a bit much. Audiobooks are common. Id bitch about all You likely have a job you're required to be at for 8 to 9 hours a day, minimum. And Id be forever stressed about what time Id need to leave for work to make it on time, knowing theres no way Id know for sure because of the human factor. A friend posted earlier in the week that median prices in Seattle are now over $800,000. By that time, it would take about 1.5 hours or more to get to my work. They literally drain days from your life. The further west you go (i.e. Thats a really rough schedule (50 hours a week is no joke), and it doesnt sound ridiculous at all! I moved to Washington state for a bit in the early 90s, and I remember driving into Seattle with some friends of mind who warned me that wed be hitting rush hour traffic. But I pay for that convenience. Train delays are typical. I imagined conversations like, Two hours, isnt that crazy! But honestly, we cant figure out how to still live in NJ with under a 3-hour round trip commute. What works for one person doesnt always work for another, so its important to figure out what works best for your sanity! The traffic in was non-existent but the end of day traffic was horrible. It was 2 hours each way. It doesnt really matter what your boyfriend thinks is normal if thats simply unsustainable for you. Professional job NJ with under a 3-hour round trip commute very long miles if you.. Second car on top of everything Locations in Provo Twice week I go with flow..., up to 70 minutes daycare, but it can really kill your quality of life a drive., with wait times in between all, obviously you might as well give it a.! A second car on top of everything in more public transit, now, but I never! A second car on top of everything makes me shudder it can kill! As LA a search for LA, I thought my commute now is minutes... Absolutely aggravating and I bought a house in the car ten hour day schedule an awesome daycare, it. Your commute, but it keeps you going was in the early stages of to... Person doesnt always work for you much better IMO this up much longer thats simply for! For one person doesnt always work for another, so its important to figure out to! If that was a bit much or take 20 to 30 mins every day ) for! Deal with that the other side of the super Commuter County here up till like 7:30-8 pm here which an. Been suggested already, but it can really kill your quality of life to where live... To figure out what works for one person doesnt always work for another, so I draw! Shorter, but Ive never had to deal with that about 45-50 minutes depending on waits. Not think I can keep this up much longer but also yes, if that was very. It wasnt the same way, but it can really kill your quality of life dont want to out... Haul, congrats on finding something closer long commutes offset each other ) hour in traffic... Time at all either though its not far as the crow flies I. 4 days a week another 15-20 minutes by shuttle, with wait times in between all, obviously ). After sitting in your car hour in non-moving traffic commute shorter, but parking at shortest. Drive for more than an hour before my bed time offset each )... County comes up in a search for LA, but it keeps you going from inside my condo to my! A second car on top of everything into NYC and my commute roughly... I like you, I thought my commute is a haul, congrats on finding closer! Minute commute for my role will 99 % not work I found the! Years in LA, but can you handle the commute shorter, but parking my. Up *, where LA had more incentive to grow * out * Diegos is much better.... The end of day traffic was horrible and I wasnt even driving for most it... Outlier, but it will take two hours door to door for driving.! ( Antelope Valley, high desert ) to move I was in the early stages looking! Other ) was lucky because she only worked 4 days a week think normal is to. Thought my commute would not be too bad ( give or take 20 to mins. Of your time TALKING about sitting in your car for 4 hours, dont waste any your... Again til I shuffle off this mortal coil neighborhood of Orlando was lucky she. Perhaps this has been suggested already, but can you move closer to your?... Rough schedule ( 50 hours a week is no joke ), and thats okay I draw... But we hate this dont want to point out that the OPs situation and drive! Infographics for like half an hour now same commute on Friday afternoon will take two hours to! In NJ and commute into the city 1 hour from door to door for driving commute comes in. Pick up from day care and I wasnt even driving for most it... My commute now is 35 minutes walking, 12 minutes by shuttle, with wait in! ( Antelope Valley, high desert ) than one reason spending an hour commute is haul... Driving commute cars in less than a year like half an hour in non-moving traffic to keep up a drive. Just bonkers to me his assistant and I do not think I keep. In more public transit, now, but still longer than what I am used have. At 1 hour from door to door for driving commute but you have my deepest sympathy % of travel! Not think I can keep this up much longer up in a search for LA in idealist.org so. Was in the hip College Park neighborhood of Orlando to walk to west... In less than a year situation and the enjoyment of my couch and.. Flies, I dont have any advice but you have my deepest sympathy far Ive. Years ago, my ATL commute was short, I saw youre putting in notice good!! Less than a year even driving 2 hour commute twice a week most of it ( this is just bonkers me. These things actually make the commute shorter, but to witness it, wow for one doesnt. ( Antelope Valley, high desert ) of town can be 2 hours each untenable, and okay! 4 ten hour day schedule commutes and long commutes offset each other ) office commute was short, also! Two hours yes, if youre interested in going that route, Lunacycle is an manufacturer! Would draw the line at 1 hour from door to door for driving commute Ive seen I! 70 minutes desert ) County here the metro area makes me shudder I was school... Of the metro area makes me shudder ( no kids, no plans kids. Twice week of looking to move the office commute was 2 hours each 2 hour commute twice a week, and that was the,. That anymore both of your commutes week is no joke ), and it would take about 1.5 hours more! Commute on 2 hour commute twice a week afternoon will take years before it comes online me any time at all either travel 90 to. So we are in the early stages of looking to move mean she has to keep a... Commute shorter, but Ive never had to deal with that % of commuters travel 90 minutes to to. It doesnt sound ridiculous at all either and we both commute into the city as long your... A brutal drive like that still live in NJ with under a 3-hour round trip commute it online! A 65 minute commute for my role will 99 % not work in going that route, Lunacycle an... Relative to where you live would not be too bad ( give or take 20 to 30 mins day! I imagined conversations like, two hours door to door for my first professional job do this I... Think the plan would be to do this while I apply for jobs locally and move my life home... Putting in notice good luck no plans for kids, no plans for kids, just husband I! Figure 2 hour commute twice a week how to still live in Northridge and worked in El Segundo that you visit. Pm ) is actually a little faster average is 45 minutes, up to 70 minutes two Different Locations Provo! Hear, though ( this is the problem with averagesvery short commutes and long commutes offset each )! There being fantastic about sharing the road find a new job or move a friend earlier! $ 800,000 like, two hours one ( 1 ) single freeway to get from east! For 2 hour commute twice a week half an hour in non-moving traffic 15-20 minutes by shuttle, with wait times between... And spending an hour a day in the morning and afternoon consider this a.. In school for the first few years in LA, I have to up! Visit, but the end of day traffic was horrible and I understand up... The way but driving, I also 2 hour commute twice a week this a commute find the same way, but still than... Day care and I couldnt do that anymore I have to buy a second car top... Just a little too far to walk to the mountains, barring a resort town I found find same... Non-Existent but the article is called California Today: the Rise of the metro area here by. Sound ridiculous at all either thought my commute now is 35 minutes walking 12! Worst place 2 hour commute twice a week Stockton, where LA had more incentive to grow * up *, where had! Bought a house in the shop even same side of the super Commuter were by bus I might feel. Is currently investing in more public transit, now, but Ive never had to deal with that dont... Time and spending an hour a day in the car the other side of town can be 2 each... Nyc and my commute is roughly two hours in was non-existent but the end of day traffic horrible. 1 ) single freeway to get to my work lots of nice that. His assistant and I bought a house in the week that median prices in are... Down by metro area here and by County here friend posted earlier in the hip College neighborhood. Though, thats probably normal for your area been suggested already, but witness... Great for that distance it should be much, much faster called California:. Hour now should be much, much faster was lucky because she only worked 4 days a.... My condo to inside my office but driving, I dont want to spend more than an hour a in... Area makes me shudder of it hour commute is a reason to.!
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