commuting

[Homegrown Tomatoes]

What is an acceptable commute for a 5-day a week job?  Take into consideration a car that gets about 34mpg on the highway and a good job, but also the high cost of gas (and the fact that it could shoot back up to $4 a gallon at any minute. )  The house we've found that we really like is almost 50 minutes one way from DH's work.  It is all highway except the last two miles on dirt roads.  Would you do it?

[glenn kangiser]

It will get tiring if it goes for a long time but many people in California cities drive twice that long or more per day.  If the job is long term closer would be better - if you can find a place that is reasonable and that you can make into what you want.  The housing prices will likely stay down for a while so there will likely be more opportunities.

[muldoon]

everything is a trade off.  is location worth the inconvenience?  Is the car dependable or a backup available so that getting to work is not in jeopardy way out there?  quality is life is very important, sometimes sacrifices need to be made to achieve what you believe is important.  However, you always need to apply the logistics to make sure your goals are feasible. 

I know quite a few people who drive more than 1 hour one way every day and dont think twice about it.  Especially in a big city with traffic it's quite common. 

[Whitlock]

Did it for years when I worked underground construction.
Sometimes it would be two hours each way
After awhile it became relaxing and I hate driving.
If it happens make sure you talk to the tax man about write offs.

Good luck,W

[ScottA]

I'd say alot would depend on how long his workday is. I drive that far alot of the time and not too bad so long as it's just an 8 hour day. Gets rough if I work 10 hours or more though.

[Daddymem]

Don't forget pay incentives can factor in also.  I work city and live country which equates to higher pay and lower cost of living for me. I have driven 90 miles a day for the past 10 years (9-10 hour work day typical) because the paycheck I can get further from home makes it worth the extra vehicle expense (even with higher gas prices).   if it is highway driving, your car will likely last for more miles too, my Ranger now has 162,000 miles with the original tires, minimal maintenance and little in repairs.  It does take a toll on the soul though so don't forget to weigh that in as well as lost time you could spend with the family.  You will also likely to be sick more often, those days you are in rough shape but could work might not happen when you think about being couped up in a car for an hour commute.

[NM_Shooter]

I've done a 50 minute one way commute before, and I only lived ~12 miles from work (Houston).   

I wouldn't do it today without XM radio, or a podcast to listen to. 

[MountainDon]

How about those two miles of dirt road? What are they going to be like after heavy rains? Snowfall, if any?

I have been spoiled all my working life. I've either lived two blocks from work and walked, 1  1/2 miles from work and walked (or drove when I worked Friday nights), or worked out of the home. I would need an attitude adjustment if work was 50 miles away.

It's a very personal decision. My nephew in Santa Cruz, CA drives 1 1/2 hours each way, 5 days a week. 

[StinkerBell]

At Nethogs last job (only 10 miles away) his commute time would be anything from 40 minutes to and hour.
Traffic is awful. His current job is about 20 miles away (different direction) and his commute time is almost the same.

We are planning on moving, hopefully soon. The distance to his work will be about 30 miles. However it is all HWY 90. So the commute time might even be less. But the distance longer.....

[peternap]

I echo what muldoon said.
For what it's worth, I did it most of my life.

[cordwood]

 For me it really depends on the city the commute takes place in. 50 minutes anywhere in SoCal. could turn into several hours at any moment. Houston and Chicago can both be a nightmare at times. My son now commutes into Sea/Tac daily and tells me it is bad also.
When I was in my late teens I drove from Lakeveiw,Ca. To Long Beach every day for a few years (85 miles 1 way) and I had to quit because I found myself plotting to kill drivers that I would see every morning in the same place at the same time do the same thing, On the on ramp, Fight through 5 lanes of traffic, Creep two miles then fight through 5 lanes of traffic to get off leaving chaos in their wake!
We moved back to Arkansas partly because of my road rage was getting too bad Driving a dump truck in the Ca. High & Low Deserts, After jumping out of the truck to verbally assault an 80+ year old woman who pulled out in front of my loaded truck and set up camp my wife decided it might be a public service to relocate to a less dense population
My point would be it really depends on the person and the situation it creates daily. Stress can really take it's toll on a person over time.

[glenn kangiser]

Stop it Cordwood.... you are giving me flashbacks.

I have chased criminals in my Kenworth and Peterbilt.  Even caught one and held her and her BF for the police....


It's making me crazy....

[StinkerBell]

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and TOTALLLLLLLY understand California traffic.


I must admit, the Steve Martin movie "LA Story" explains road rage and guns a bit

[cordwood]

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and TOTALLLLLLLY understand California traffic.


I must admit, the Steve Martin movie "LA Story" explains road rage and guns a bit

Had to go to the Galleria!!! TOTALY!!!

[StinkerBell]

Fer sure dude!

On a side note (or what is known as a thread hijack)
I just realized that growing up in the valley has given me a multi language base.

I can also speak Spanglish and Valley girl.

[peternap]

Fer sure dude!

On a side note (or what is known as a thread hijack)
I just realized that growing up in the valley has given me a multi language base.

I can also speak Spanglish and Valley girl.

Thread hijacking is an honored tradition here.

[glenn kangiser]

It's like.....like....OMG, gag me with a spune, honored and encouraged to a point.

[cholland]

I just went from a 15 minute bike ride to a 40 minute drive.... but only for two months.
I've done the 1 1/2 - 2 hour commute to the city too (just two years).

I've found a hour drive on the mountain highways not as taxing as an hour in the valley (California).  Must be the view.

For me the shorter the better.  Something where I can ride a bike when I want.
I recently went over a week with a flat on my truck because I didn't need to fix it right away....

[glenn kangiser]

That's the mountain spirit, cholland. 

Nice to know our norther neighbor are about the same as us.  We have what is called Mariposa time here.  Today, tomorrow or maybe next year -- I still intend to do it.