Do you commute?

miss2697 · August 2014

OK, so to preface this a little:

H and I bought a lemon house three years ago and have been trying to get out ever since. It was a horrible experience with a horrible realtor and an inspector that didn't know what the F he was doing. We spent so much money fixing the problems in a "move in ready" house. We want to leave due to other reasons, but everything in the home has been fixed and it's now for sale.

We are interested in a house in our dream neighborhood, but I am starting to chicken out. I am afraid of all the same things happening. And this house is about 30 miles away from where I work. It's in an up and coming area and kind of isolated right now. I am also nervous about the hour commute. I keep telling myself it won't make that much difference since I spend about 30 minutes picking LO up from daycare each day. I guess I just wanted to gauge J13 and see who deals with commutes on a daily basis and if you have any advice. I am a teacher, so it is very possible to transfer closer one day. I don't want to give up an opportunity to have our dream house over something that can change.

miss2697 · August 2014

Right, I know that this is going to be my personal preference and choice. Right now I am spoiled because I live 5 minutes from my school. I usually come home, walk the dogs and do any chores before I pick the baby up at my mom's (another 30 minutes in the car). So I figure i'll only be adding another 20 minutes. I know a lot of people do commute and I guess I am looking to hear, "put your big girl panties on and deal with it! We all do!"

miss2697 · August 2014

There are a lot of neighborhoods around and houses that are still in construction. The nearest grocery store is only a few minutes down the road and it's about 5-10 minutes to areas where there are lots of shopping centers and entertainment. Which kind of fits what we are looking for. Right now we live by the beach and are definitely looking forward to a more quiet neighborhood.

miss2697 · August 2014

My mom would still watch the baby. It wouldn't really be any different for her because we are moving about 15 mi north of her. Right now we live about 15 mi south of her. I would just go straight to her house from work (right now we meet in the middle) and it would be on the way. DH insists he is fine with it. His commute is a bit longer. He says he doesn't mind. He even said he would do drop off and pick up, but I think that's silly if it's on my way home. If it were up to him, we'd have put in an offer already. Again, the time in the car would suck but I don't feel like it would be that different since I am already driving out of my way to meet my mom in the middle.

rondokye · August 2014

On days that I commute, I spend 2.5 hours in the car and I've grown to despise it, especially after having E. I've been doing it for four years now, after I moved in with DH before we were married. My house was only five minutes from work so it was a big change. With my job, I have to work late hours and/or go in on weekends at times and that's a real struggle. I am looking for something closer to home, within a 30 minute radius. That along is a considerable commute. I think that you need to take into consideration daycare drop-offs/pickups, sick calls, etc.

Clyde013 · August 2014

My commute used to be a 12 minute walk. Now that I've changed jobs and locations I'll be driving 60 minutes each way. But I only need to be on campus 2 days a week and some weeks a third day but at a campus only 25 mins away.

MRads · August 2014

I work three minutes from my house. Unfortunately, DC is about 12-15 minutes away, so my morning and afternoon commute is about a half hour round trip.

If I dropped B off after a 3 minute drive and then continued 20 more minutes, kid free, I think I wouldn't mind the commute as much. I also don't hit any traffic. Sitting in traffic would deter me vs a similar commute time wise that you move the entire time.

lancomechica · August 2014

I used to have an hour and ten minute (decent traffic day) commute each way when I had a normal 8-5. I hated it but I did it and I am not sure why...I think I feared living in closer would equal higher rent and I wouldn't be able to keep the lifestyle I had...which wasn't much but I drove a nice car etc...now I would probably tolerate one hour but no more than that on most days. I do not like being in traffic either.

Erinm278 · August 2014

When El was born I was working an hour from home. Driving 2 hours for work every day really took a toll on me. I was so happy to get a job closer to home. I personally will never move that far .

[Deleted User] · August 2014

I had a dream commute before I got a new job. Now I have a much longer commute through a high traffic area. I fantasize about moving again to have a better commute almost daily on the ride home. I will definitely be making this a priority when we start looking for houses again.

miss2697 · August 2014

I feel like making this move will give me the kick in the behind I need to transfer to another school. I like that I have that option should the commute really start to wear on me. School gets out at 3 this year and I can be on my way home by 3:30. I will most likely hit morning traffic, but I think I will miss all the afternoon traffic.

theuntaggablek · August 2014

Commuting doesn't mesh with the things I value in life: family time, homemade dinners, exercise outside after work sometimes to destress, environmental sustainability.

So we are about a 7 min drive/15 min bike ride from our offices. And on a bus line for when we are no longer carting kids to daycare.

That's just me though. You may have different priorities....among them more space, different house type, etc.

You might consider not just what the area will be like in 15 years, but also factor in possible increases in gas prices as fossil fuels dwindle. I know that sounds alarmist but I can't figure out how to bring it up more tactfully.

Lelo2006 · August 2014

I commute about 25-30 minutes and I love it! I have time to call& catch up with family and friends.

Unknown · August 2014

This content has been removed.

Unknown · August 2014

This content has been removed.

Lelo2006 · August 2014

MrsGiantPenis said:

Lelo2006 said:
I commute about 25-30 minutes and I love it! I have time to call& catch up with family and friends.
Wait, while driving? Or do you take public transportation?

Yeah, while driving.

valstulas · August 2014

No real advice but I'm in a similar situation. I know how difficult this decision must be for you. My only advice is to follow your gut. If you're really not feeling it, it's for a reason. If you are feeling it but have some reservations, push through.

Lelo2006 · August 2014

Lelo2006 said:

MrsGiantPenis said:

Lelo2006 said:
I commute about 25-30 minutes and I love it! I have time to call& catch up with family and friends.
Wait, while driving? Or do you take public transportation?
Yeah, while driving.

I have Bluetooth

Karebear6978 · August 2014

We live 20 min outside of town and an hour one way from our work, but it is on 2acres in the woods which we LOVE so it makes it worth it. Would I love to not have du h a long drive to work? Yes. Would i give up our house/property to do it? No! Good luck in ur decision.

LauraB1016 · August 2014

I drive between 45 minutes to an hour each way to work doing 90% of daycare pickup and drop off. I like my commute because it is my "me" time, however it can be long and boring.

You just need to go with your gut and what is important to you. Due to my line of work I try to eliminate the possibility of running into clients at grocery store so the commute is worth it to me.

Want a personalized experience?

Do you commute?

Re: Do you commute?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards