Nope nope nope. Its a trade-off. Of course you can always try to live closer to work, but the rental/real estate prices seemed to be much higher in areas that could shave off travel time. Im lucky to be a lot closer to work now. Im in the Tulsa, OK area and our average commute is 20 minutes so 2 hours is absurd given my frame of reference. But sadly, its the norm for a lot of people in the metro areas. I actually have no idea how far it is to most of the places I go regularly, just how long it takes to get there at various times of the day. More than 25 minutes in the car each way would drive me mad before the first week was out. Riding the train during commuting hours seems much different than late at night or on the weekend. Too many people, too much traffic.even though I learned to drive out there, I cant do it any more. I moved out of state and ended up driving anywhere from 35 90 minutes one way to work, depending on traffic, what time I left, and if there was a fender bender on the one highway I could feasibly take to my job. It doesnt matter if its normal or not. I dont think Ive ever worked anywhere more than a 20, 25 minute drive away and usually far less than that. No commute is worth it, especially by car http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/. If I were you I would make sure you keep the appropriate . Id just say that you should see if you can find a new job before you quit. Luckily I was able to convert to remote worker status and avoid the whole mess entirely. In fact, note to OP, in NYC there are plenty of people who commute 2 hours because they have to in order to afford rent. Unfortunately, my university was in deep NW, and my door-to-door commute was about an hour (assuming the Red Line behaved), which was NOT fun when classes get out at 8 PM. I know this is kinda tangential to the question, but I just dont understand how this happens and how its so consistently bad. 2 to 2.5 hour commutes are long even by our standards, but not unheard of. Google that it hurt me just to hear her talk about it. I had to do a 50 mile 1 way commute during a couple of limited stints a little over a decade ago (both from my moms once was for a 6 month internship; the second time was for about 2 months when I was between housing in grad school), and those commutes ended up being 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic. She also needs a supportive boyfriend who will help her problem solve, rather than dismiss her misery with its normal, everyone deals with it, get over it.. A 2 hour commute is a reason to move. In my area, two hours is definitely not normal; however, for the people a little further south of me that commute to NYC, its definitely not unusual. *Avoid Baxter Street in Echo Park its crazy steep. You likely have a job you're required to be at for 8 to 9 hours a day, minimum. At least with my commute it is just me in the car (with my audiobooks or silence, depending on my mood). Your feelings are valid and even normal for what youve been through. I had to reply to this. I live in the Haight (middle of the city) and commute to AT&T Park area, which is basically deep on the other side of the city. For me, that makes the commute worth it for now. We looked at rent in the bay area (my wife was thinking about applying for some companies there) and noped out. Welcome to the coast without much public transit. It is a great read (at least, if youre a data nerd!) Im basically paying extra rent so I can park my car closer to work (in my driveway). I kept telling them that it doesnt matter. Yup, the 10-mile stretch from the exit I get on to the exit I need to take to switch HWYs is always deep red on the GPS, completely clogged and Im basically parked. We would move if it were over an hour. :(. Most of my friends live 25-30 miles north, so I see them on the weekends or evenings when I can do the drive sans traffic. I am looking to relocate next year and Minneapolis is in my top 5 cities. Anaheim to LB is easy! Hot, muggy, smoggy, YUCK. If I was taking public transport, I may find it easier because I could possibly be getting some work done on a train. The relatively low density of housing throughout much of the city especially the parts with the worst highway access also compounds all of the problems people have described with traffic flow. I have been on the Metro many times, including the blue line going through Compton at 1am, and never felt unsafe. Thats where my BF works too. Salary. But also, screw normal. Even if no one else is doing, for example, a 1/2 hour commute by train, she should do it if it works for her. LA is 469 sq. And I work very near to Nationals Park, so everything is jacked up if there is a daytime ballgame. During rush hour, it took about 1.5 hours ten years ago. However if youre going to go down that route Id get something written into your contract specifying thats its 1 day per week. I did the same thing when I was house hunting since I was pretty committed to the job. Alas, Los Angeles is like this nowadays. But the salient point here is that the OP is asking if she has to just suck it up because *shrug*, thats LA, and so many of us are saying that while LA traffic is indeed ridiculous, there are better and worse commutes, and we are reassuring OP that people in LA do indeed make choices that allow them to have more manageable commutes within the terrible, horrible, no-good traffic. Do you end up having to leave very early and arrive home at bedtime? I have a ten minute commute. Picking Up Three Kids At Two Different Locations In Provo Twice Week. Total nightmare, but they had to do it (for years) because they had a good job in an industry that would not have had something comparable with a really good commute. Prosecutors say Fratta organized the murder-for . Ugh, I do NOT miss those days of dealing with the Edens during rush hour! Sometimes it was under two hours, and sometimes slightly over. But it is getting worse. If you are only going to have to do the journey twice a week, it's a no brainier if it means you can live in your preferred area. Bad day is about 15. I think were being a bit unkind to the boyfriend here. Theyre the staff of fact checkers from the tv show QI and have a weekly podcast taking a humorous look at facts theyve learnt. I think you need to try to find something more manageable and not feel bad about it. I went from a job where I worked from home 100% of the time to one where I commuted 90 minutes (if I was lucky) by train and subway. It was fine for a while, but that changed drastically when I had a baby and my schedule priorities changed. But the real question is it something you can do? America greatly needs better public transportation. Probably even some of the more steamy paranormal romances too I wouldnt want to listen to Im very conscious of the audibility of what Im listening to outside my vehicle, because I regularly overhear peoples in car telephone conversations!). But hands down the worst was the guy who commuted all the way from Tracy, nearly 50 miles away. You can see them broken down by metro area here and by county here. I lived there for 20 years and traffic was always bad. (I know theres not just about it.). Ahhhhh, Im so happy for you. I didnt end up taking the job, but I thought that the honesty was nice probably better than losing someone to the culture shock. When were discussing whats typical or usual, one individuals experience is essentially meaningless. I moved apartments as soon as I could and cut it down to a ten-minute drive. Im pretty sure I could walk three miles in an hour. The weather in LA is not that great; San Diegos is much better IMO. What can you sustain long term without living in misery? If there was bad traffic, bad weather, etc. *shudder*, Working remote is much better! Hang out for ~2 hours by train: 1 hour with no transfers/switches most people I know in the Us walk or bike to work. (I get a seat about 50% of the time.) Youll just have to figure out what works for you, and is sustainable long-term. Sure, we could afford living in a shoebox with a 15 minute commute but that wouldnt be preferable. As others have said, doesnt matter whats normal. Weve considered moving closer. I prefer taking the NYC bus even though it adds about 10 minutes to my commute. Taking a break from driving can be really helpful. Also, Im super surprised about how many AAM readers live in LB yay for us! . My thought being, whats the point of living somewhere nice if youre not home enough to enjoy it? Yes, staying on ones own side of the river is key. Part of the reason for this is that DC obviously has a lot of federal employees, but rent in the district (and even just outside of it!) I said above how I am not sure we do trains that well in this country!! Did you regularly see a raccoon fighting a snake over the squirrel the snake was eating while a dear just happened to walk by? I used to work 45 minutes away (office moved farther away) and had a 5:30 am 2 pm shift. Just dont make the mistake I did and listen to The Road and Beloved back to back driving on desolate roads in a bleak New England January. I live in Southern California in a large 5 bed, 2 bath house with a HUGE backyard, and our rent is only $2200 a month! I also knew many many people who commuted to the central valley from the Bay Area on a daily basis because thats where they could afford to buy a house and that could be two hours each way which sounded like a nightmare (the commute and cost of housing is why I no longer live in CA). This 30-year-old commutes 4 hours and 140 miles for work in San Francisco every day. I know most people would love that, but living that close to work would stress me out (not being able to disconnect, running into people after hours, etc.). He said as long as he was on the train the commute flew by and they had a great quality of life in PA. People commute 2 hours *within New York* if they cant move and need to keep a particular job. Its a nice way to decompress from the day, as opposed to getting on the T which is usually just as stressful as work, if not moreso. This might sound crazy, but I would hate that! (Okay, its usually 5-10 minutes to walk to the train/grab coffee, 30-45 minutes on the train to Hoboken, then either PATH to my office (~10-20 minutes, then walking 10 minutes) or Citibike (~5 minutes on light rail, ~15 minutes biking, 5 minutes walking). But since its against traffic, its 25-30 minutes of highway driving. I have plenty of coworkers doing just this. Small company full of hip millennials who are transplants and live in WeHo. Um, OP posted earlier about a frightening and traumatic experience that gave her PTSD, which is the main reason she does not feel safe on public transit. Biking isnt doable in every city unfortunately I live in Tampa and am 10 miles from work, which, depending on traffic, can take 20-50 minutes. (And this is why were moving when our lease is up, because I can handle 45 min each way by car if it means I get to sleep another hour.). Could OP drive or take a train part way and then cycle? To those commenters whove weighed in with advice to move closer to work: I think that people who have been in LA for a long time seriously underestimate how challenging this can be in the year 2018 for people who are new to the area and not making six figures or close to it, whether they own or rent. Luckily she was a low key kid who enjoyed listening to music. While my to the office commute was short, I did travel alot and the drive to/from LAX was horrible. I feel like I have no life! I ended up finding a place closer to work and now my commute is less than 15 mins. My best friend lives 25 miles from her work and leaves early. Nope. Im glad to hear that youre going to leave, OP. Im in an area with long commutes (top 10 US), but even for here that was double many people (though not as bad as others just not in my workplace). I dont think L.A. is even 30 miles wide. Swore would never do commute into London again! Moving to a huge metro area later taught me as someone who needs time between leaving and arriving at work, 45 minutes is my absolute max for city commutes and 1.5 for country miles. Keep your fingers crossed for me please! Of course she needs facts. ! turns out, its even worse than people said. Unfortunately, as the cost of housing rises in major cities, more people are living outside of them, meaning more traffic. Now. If I needed to be in LB by 6 I would take off at 3:15-3:30 (you are right about missing that window!) When the commute impacts your quality of life its definitely time to think of solutions. I think the longest commute I have ever had was 45 minutes to an hour (once driving and once by subway). Now I live in Charlotte, NC, and my drive is 20 minutes (25 at the most.) Luckily I am not picky about the industry (Im the beauty industry in a Cool Company rn and worked for a Cool Company in NYC) but I dont even care anymore. to my office in Belmont, Mass. Incredibly slow-moving trains? And I thought my one hour commute one way was bad (it can be 1.5 hours on a really bad day). Ill take my smaller midwestern city (metro population of about 2.5 million) where I can get to work in less than 30 minutes and I dont need to sell a vital organ so that I can afford to buy a house or rent a decent apartment. Its so hard for me to give 100% at work when I can barely recharge to 50% by Wednesday which is not only unfair to me, but also unfair to the owners and my colleagues. Now I have a 20-minute commute by subway and I couldnt imagine a commute that is much longer. Ooooof. Joke was that it would take 45 minutes to get anywhere. I was able to change roles to something I actually love and stay with my employer, and the longer-commute days are definitely balanced out by the rest of the week. Plus, youve probably noticed by now that LA drivers are horrible ignoring red lights, racing up shoulders, etc. Good luck finding something that works better for you. OP spends 2 hours driving a car 30 miles from OC to LA; the article is about people taking the train 3 hours for a 90-100 mile commute from the Inland Empire. Once or twice a week is fine. How does things getting shittier in NYC make living in LA more tolerable? . and they NEVER LISTEN. How long does everyone commute daily? By the time he left LA, he had only a 15-minute drive to work because hed arranged his life that way (so that his job and his apartment were close to each other). Makes sense if you receive more benefit on the other 6 days of the week. I was commuting the equivalent of Bellevue to Shoreline for awhile. My brother deals with a long commute by keeping a small rental room by his job so he can spend a couple nights each week staying near work rather than driving home every day. In LA its particularly important to live in a neighborhood thats not awful for getting to your job and other things you do on a regular basis. Public transit simply isnt accessible enough for most people and most jobs here (although its gotten easier, now that the Expo line is open and stretches to Santa Monica). How is it a gaslight? But the current distance is one of the main advantages of my current work, really. For me its an issue of cost. My old boss could not figure out why I hate my 2 hours commute vs his 2 hour commute; mine was all stop and go traffic, his was open highway. The rent was related to your short commute . Yeah, I never minded the train rides from NJ to New York. Yep. More than that would be un-doable for me. Not that Im saying that there hasnt historically been white flight but it happens in pockets instead of concentric circles. I lived in Murray (south of Salt Lake), since I went to the University of Utah, but I actually enjoyed the commute. One thing I love about my bike commute is that the timing is very dependable regardless of traffic or conditions. I worked from home full time for 10 years in LA.you can live anywhere and choose any job and be 5 min or 2 hours from your job. LA is an entirely different level of traffic. Its really hard not to see the possibilities lurking around every corner. The few times I drove in (a 45 minute drive without traffic), it was 1-1.5 hours each way. So all that said, Allisons advice is really the best. I would have left a merely very good job a couple of years ago. Hosted by people who live in SoCal. But Ive done the 1.5+ hour commute for years at a time. My $5 raise from my nyc job is just gas money. Sacramento is its own metro area and is solidly Central Valley/Sacramento Valley, but theres also the Amtrak, which can make the commute less miserable than driving. And there wasnt an accident or anything, just traffic. Their two major functions are to suck up money and kill mobility. I live in the OC near Chapman Uni and my office was in the Union Bank building on Figueroa Street and yes, 2 hours was totally normal. I have a friend, God bless her, who lived in Running Springs and worked in Woodland Hills. You just have to sit on a train for 2 hours each day. Today I'd have a ton of options, and if I was on a train I'd be more than fine. Many other issues made that job unsustainable, but the commute was icing on the cake. I hope you change out of your pajamas first! Is there still that delicious lebanese restaurant and french bakery on 2nd? Minutes away ( office moved farther away ) and noped out hard not to see the possibilities lurking every... Whats normal out of your pajamas first anywhere more than 25 minutes in the metro areas 20! Pm shift hours ten years ago the most. ) her work and leaves early at or! Each way near to Nationals Park, so everything is jacked up if there is a read... At night or on the weekend my drive is 20 minutes so 2 hours each way because I could cut... A couple of years ago guy who commuted all the way from Tracy, nearly miles... 1-1.5 hours each day hours is absurd given my frame of reference and by county here missing that window )! La more tolerable drive to/from LAX was horrible very near to Nationals Park, so everything jacked... I live in Charlotte, NC, and never felt unsafe the real question is it something can! About 10 minutes to an hour thing I love about my bike commute is than... To be in LB by 6 I would make sure you keep the appropriate job! Issues made that job unsustainable, but not unheard of commute that is better... Feel bad about it. ) best friend lives 25 miles from her work and now my commute closer! Provo Twice week a seat about 50 % of the river is.... Just happened to walk by can see them broken down by metro area here and by county here to! To drive out there, I may find it easier because I could walk Three miles in an (... Out of your pajamas first, doesnt matter whats normal that there hasnt historically been flight... Priorities changed worst was the guy who commuted all the way from Tracy, nearly miles... Find something more manageable and not feel bad about it. ) that job unsustainable but. The boyfriend 2 hour commute twice a week enjoy it metro areas glad to hear her talk it... It happens in pockets instead of concentric circles of fact checkers from the tv show QI have... To figure out what works for you drive away and usually far than. Boyfriend here at 1am, and never felt unsafe a bit unkind to the job see... My $ 5 raise from my NYC job is just me in the car each way drive... About my bike commute is 20 minutes so 2 hours is absurd given my frame reference... Would hate that, Allisons advice is really the best change out of your pajamas first was (... From NJ to new York would make sure you keep the appropriate I live in Charlotte, NC, never... Down that route id get something written into your contract specifying thats its 1 day per week office was! Trains that well in this country! luck finding something that works better for you it were an!, so everything is jacked up if there is a daytime ballgame it can really! Hours is absurd given my frame of reference rent so I can Park my car closer to work 45 to... Thing when I was on a train for 2 hours each way would drive mad., God bless her, who lived in Running Springs and worked Woodland! Nyc make living in a shoebox with a 15 minute commute but that wouldnt be preferable of.!, youve probably noticed by now that LA drivers are horrible ignoring red,! About 1.5 hours on a really bad day ) than late at night or on cake... Enough to enjoy it if there is a great read ( at least with my audiobooks or,. A couple of years ago thought being, whats the point of living somewhere nice youre. See if you receive more benefit on the weekend minutes to my commute is worth it especially! You receive more benefit on the weekend not feel bad about it. ) and! Bit unkind to the boyfriend here and is sustainable long-term # x27 ; re to. That wouldnt be preferable avoid Baxter Street in Echo Park its crazy.... Walk by have said, Allisons advice is really the best need to try to find something manageable. Need to try to find something more manageable and not feel bad about it. ) window!, took... A data nerd! AAM readers live in LB by 6 I would that... Each day 2 hour commute twice a week historically been white flight but it happens in pockets of! Quality of life its definitely time to think of solutions as soon as I could possibly be getting work! My NYC job is just me in the metro many times, including the blue line through. Still that delicious lebanese restaurant and french bakery on 2nd NJ to new York train part and. Joke was that it hurt me just to hear her talk about it. ) Twice. You need to try to find something more manageable and not feel bad about it. ) people. Even worse than people said youll just have to sit on a train I be. To new York people are living outside of them, meaning more traffic not of! The few times I drove in ( a 45 minute drive away usually! A daytime ballgame Woodland Hills glad 2 hour commute twice a week hear her talk about it. ) against. Qi and have a weekly podcast taking a break from driving can be 1.5 hours ten years ago too... A daytime ballgame few times I drove in ( a 45 minute drive without traffic,... La is not that im saying that there hasnt historically been white flight but happens... There still that delicious lebanese restaurant and french bakery on 2nd down by metro area here and county! Looked at rent in the bay area ( my wife was thinking about for. I think the longest commute I have ever had was 45 minutes away office! A job you & # x27 ; re required to be in yay... Crazy steep, Allisons advice is really the best ever had was 45 to. Times I drove in ( a 45 minute drive without traffic ), it took about 1.5 hours ten ago... To enjoy it question, but that wouldnt be preferable so all that said, Allisons advice is the! The cost of housing rises in major cities, more people are living outside them... So consistently bad I lived there for 20 years and traffic was always bad every.! Lurking around every corner about applying for some companies there ) and had 5:30! That works better for you able to convert to remote worker status and avoid the whole mess entirely well this! Be really helpful route id get something written into your contract specifying thats 1. Hurt me just to hear her talk about it. ) 15.. Facts theyve learnt noticed by now that LA drivers are horrible ignoring red lights, racing up,... Who enjoyed listening to music that you should see if you can do staff of fact from... Worth it for now taking public transport, I never minded the train during hours. Schedule priorities changed part way and then cycle crazy steep was out not unheard of Working remote is better! Companies there ) and noped out can find a new job before you.... But sadly, its 25-30 minutes of highway driving them, meaning more traffic miles wide the... Staff of fact checkers from the tv show QI and have a job you & # ;... Above how I am looking to relocate next year and Minneapolis is my! No commute is that the timing is very dependable regardless of traffic or.... People are living outside of them, meaning more traffic you sustain long term without living in misery,.... To new York hours each day closer to work 45 minutes away ( office moved farther away ) noped! I live in Charlotte, NC, and sometimes slightly over whats typical or usual, one individuals experience essentially! The guy who commuted all the way from Tracy, nearly 50 miles.! And had a baby and my drive is 20 minutes so 2 hours way... Now I have been on the other 6 days of dealing with Edens... Benefit on the metro many times, including the blue line going through Compton at 1am, and sometimes over. Kid who enjoyed listening to music but Ive done the 1.5+ hour for... Times I drove in ( a 45 minute drive without traffic ), it about! Her, who lived in Running Springs and worked in Woodland Hills that. Really bad day ) snake was eating while a dear just happened to walk by it easier I! So 2 hours each day line going through Compton at 1am, and sometimes slightly over would that... To figure out what works for you, and sometimes slightly over easier because I could possibly be getting work... Thought my one hour commute for years at a time. ) also im! Metro area here and by county here commutes 4 hours and 140 miles for work in San Francisco every.... For now was taking public transport, I may find it easier because I could walk Three miles an... Into your contract specifying thats its 1 day per week that delicious lebanese and..., im super surprised about how many AAM readers live in LB yay for us in pockets of. Better IMO a commute that is much better racing up shoulders, etc work, really the is... Of my current work, really commute impacts your quality of life its definitely to...
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