How far is too far of a commute?

[gunjunkie45]

So my wife and I live in a commie city and have been looking to move to the country. We've found a home that's just a freaking dream that we could never afford in our county. The kicker is that it's an hour and fifteen minute drive to work every day. Is this something I can make work or am I kidding myself? Wages are good where we work but property costs are insane. The house we're looking at is 200k. Anywhere in the county we both work in it would be closer to 750k.

 

[Dougie308]

When we lived in Columbia, MD I drove 90 minutes on the beltway each way. Hated every freaking minute.

 

[Huskydriver]

Yea...F that noise but you gotta do what you gotta do. Hopefully you have a good commuter car with decent mpg

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I commute at least an hour to and from work everyday. The amount of your lifeforce sucked away is going to largely depend what you're driving in. Rush hour traffic like around the dc/metro area? It's going to start to get old teal quick. I drive through horse country so the ride isnt bad at all and makes the drive tolerable. If i had to commute directly into dc though id probably negotiate to work from home one day a week.

 

[Bradu]

Farthest I've commuted is an hour and twenty minutes one way, did that for about 6 months for a road construction job. I commuted an hour one way for probably five years, it's doable but I hated it.

 

[atomic41]

I'm at 30 minutes and it's my limit. I can't imagine 1 hour or more, that's a hard no.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

That's pretty much considered a normal commute in Maryland. For a few years I drove an hour and a half with no traffic each way. It was fine in the morning, I start at 6 am so there's noone on the road. Coming home, if I was on time I'd be 1 hour and a half or 45 minutes. If I was even 15 minutes late leaving work, I'd be at least 2 hours and 15 minutes. Luckily, I'm a 30 minute drive now. The key thing is, what's the traffic like when you're commuting?

 

[Soulezoo]

I had a 1 hour 20 minute commute every day for over 10 years. Wore out some cars for sure. (I got rid of my Mercedes S class with a little over 300k miles in 10 years). It was worth it to me. I live in the mountains and commute to the city. I go early morning to avoid most traffic. Leave early, home by 3 and enjoy life.
If you live in the mountains, you're lucky enough.

 

[Alphatreedog]

It really comes down to how you're wired . I used to drive 45 minutes in the an hour and fifteen home at night . Wasnt horrible . I have a buddy that drives all over effin creation and often has a two hour drive home at night . He is also worth several Mil and brings down high six figures a year . Either way I wish you the best . Hope you get your slice of heaven .

 

[diverdon]

It is not too far if that is the drive time that will get you to work and home in actual traffic on the days you drive. Get in the audio book habit, make sure your next car has a collision avoidance system.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

1:15 would be right at the max for me and the house/lot/area better be incredible. You need to factor in the costs of you commute and time and see what that gets you close to work. Or find another job closer to where you want to live. Or a self driving car, when they come online, and you can turn your commute into productive time. ?

 

[W54/XM-388]

So my wife and I live in a commie city and have been looking to move to the country. We've found a home that's just a freaking dream that we could never afford in our county. The kicker is that it's an hour and fifteen minute drive to work every day. Is this something I can make work or am I kidding myself? Wages are good where we work but property costs are insane. The house we're looking at is 200k. Anywhere in the county we both work in it would be closer to 750k.

I've had a 45 minute to 90 minute daily commute for nearly 20 years with an average of an hour.

Here is my take on it. If I could live in my dream property and it meant an hour and 15 minute commute, it would be a no brainer for me.
But there are a couple things to note....

Invest in a very comfortable, quiet, smooth riding, somewhat luxury vehicle that gets really good fuel economy.

Find what you like to listen to for driving, I'd suggest audiobooks (you can get them all near free or free) as they actually make the time fly by faster than music.

Adjust your schedule in the mornings if you can, to leave before traffic will peak. You'll be amazed how much different you feel if you have an hour long commute in the early morning hours but then get to sleep in your car for 30 minutes before going in to work.

You will still hate the commute, and find it soul sucking, but you'll get used to it and think it's worth it to have a beautiful home to be in.

 

[W54/XM-388]

It is not too far if that is the drive time that will get you to work and home in actual traffic on the days you drive. Get in the audio book habit, make sure your next car has a collision avoidance system.

Most of the nicer ones also have radar based adaptive cruise control and automatic lane keeping assist, which makes things a lot easier for driving.

BUT just make sure to still keep your hands on the wheel and look around, as all those systems tend to go nuts in construction zones and if the road marking are screwy. (Which is why Tesla owners keep getting driven into piles of concrete / trucks at 70mph).

 

[gunjunkie45]

I've had a 45 minute to 90 minute daily commute for nearly 20 years with an average of an hour.

Here is my take on it. If I could live in my dream property and it meant an hour and 15 minute commute, it would be a no brainer for me.
But there are a couple things to note....

Invest in a very comfortable, quiet, smooth riding, somewhat luxury vehicle that gets really good fuel economy.

Find what you like to listen to for driving, I'd suggest audiobooks (you can get them all near free or free) as they actually make the time fly by faster than music.

Adjust your schedule in the mornings if you can, to leave before traffic will peak. You'll be amazed how much different you feel if you have an hour long commute in the early morning hours but then get to sleep in your car for 30 minutes before going in to work.

You will still hate the commute, and find it soul sucking, but you'll get used to it and think it's worth it to have a beautiful home to be in.

I own two vehicles. An old dodge truck and a 2017 Ford Focus st. I have to drive the truck for work most times. I'm a carpenter specializing in really high end finish work. I can take the truck to drop off tools and drive the car until I'm done on a job. Some jobs last as long as 2 years. My wife is a shrink at the state hospital for the criminally insane. She's going to keep working there no matter what. She's next in line as director and she loves the work.

 

[Carlos Danger]

You're the only one who can answer your question.

 

[gunjunkie45]

You're the only one who can answer your question.

Fair point. I'm looking to push myself into buying it.

 

[gunjunkie45]

 

[Sixfivesavage]

View attachment 7099779

THAT'S 200K! I assume there's more to it than that picture but even if there's not apparently I need to be moving there myself.

 

[gunjunkie45]

THAT'S 200K! I assume there's more to it than that picture but even if there's not apparently I need to be moving there myself.

Mine! I call dibs.

 

[gunjunkie45]

THAT'S 200K! I assume there's more to it than that picture but even if there's not apparently I need to be moving there myself.

It's literally my dream home.

 

[Squibbler]

It really comes down to how you're wired .

I really agree with this statement. Advantages and disadvantages to every decision. You have to decide what's right for you and your family. For me it's an easy answer, I would literally die inside each day living in the land of concrete. My heart and soul grows where the green grass does. I'd look at that 1.5hr drive as my commitment to the freedom I need where I can walk in my front yard with just my boxers on and shoot my gun off my front porch. I'd then use my time wisely and audiobook/solve work problems/catch up on phone calls/defuse getting ready for family time/ just listen to some damn good music. Good luck with your decision.

 

[W54/XM-388]

My wife is a shrink at the state hospital for the criminally insane. She's going to keep working there no matter what. She's next in line as director and she loves the work.

Have her try driving a 2017 or newer Honda Accord Hybrid Touring edition, it might just make her life on a long commute perfect.
Comfortable, Quiet, Spacious, Lots of driver aids, tons of acceleration when you need it and 50+ MPG if you drive with a light foot.

Run a spreadsheet on miles driven / MPG / Fuel cost / Vehicle Cost to give you a total cost of ownership for say 7 years / 200,000 miles You might be surprised at how the numbers add up.

But DON'T buy a Prius if you can help it... those little smug boxes for people that love the smell of their own farts are not all they are cracked up to be, the MPG on them is not really great and the acceleration is well... non existent, cramped and uncomfortable to drive for long commutes.

 

[DuneBoer]

Do it! The drive to work will suck but the drive home will be worth your sanity. Weekends will make Monday suck but Friday will make up for it.

Come Out of Her My People.

 

[gunjunkie45]

THAT'S 200K! I assume there's more to it than that picture but even if there's not apparently I need to be moving there myself.

Fucking beautiful right?!!

 

[Slash0311]

I drove an hour+ to work for a while. Here's how I'd suggest looking at it.

1. Time. An 8 hour day then 2 hours of driving means a lot of time in your "dream home.

2. Miles on your vehicles. That will be lots of miles (I assume) and can be a factor on trade in value, maintenance, and wear and tear. And gas costs too.

3. Consider the weather. I know in my area winters can suck and driving an hour can really suck.

4. Time away from family, friends, chores, hobbies and alike. See number 1.

Only you can make the choice but it sounds like your head is saying one thing and your heart the other.

 

[Rant Durden]

So is there traffic? Which way? Both? Are there alternate routes if there is a road closure? Will you need to drive a truck or all-wheel drive to get through weather? Will seasonal weather mean a longer commute? What is the condition of the road? A bit of snow or ice may double your commute time. If the roads get salted, you good with replacing a rusted out commuter vehicle every few years? Having worked and commuted throughout Los Angeles, I have had some drives that mileage wise were not bad, but traffic wise (and no alternate routes) made me pick a new area much further away. That drive was against traffic both ways and had multiple side routes if there was a closure. My last gig was a pretty good trek and usually no traffic, but the Cajon pass was closed several times due to accidents and two fires. Like Slash0311 mentioned. You're looking at 12 1/2 hours JUST driving every week. If the road closes are you good with being super late or having to crash at a motel or friends house? Sounds like the new pad is nice and raising a family in a place that you love and is safe, well that's a blessing not everyone gets. Talking to some locals may answer a few questions. Coppers or highway patrol stations may give some insight as to the reliability of your proposed route.

 

[308pirate]

If the roads get salted, you good with replacing a rusted out commuter vehicle every few years?

That's only true if you never rinse the underside of your vehicles.

I live in a part of the country where winter road salt is just a part of life. My cars last on average 12 - 15 years with no special rustproofing and by that time if there is any rust, it's pretty minor and just beginning.

But I am fanatical about heavily rinsing the undercarriage, particularly the sheetmetal seams, every chance I get in winter and then a few more times in spring.

I've made too many cars last far longer than what people think is possible in this environment to think it was chance.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Here's another thought that has nothing to do with drive time.

200k vs 600k.

Take what you don't spend on a house and put it towards retirement/ investments.

Retire early.

We live just south east of Tampa.
In good, non-commuting hours, it's a 25 minute drive to the Sheriff's office.
Otherwise, during peak time it's right at an hour.
Rebecca leaves a half hour early, and like mentioned above, she naps for 30 minutes before going in.
She feels refreshed and actually spends less time driving because of leaving a bit early.

Lastly, having a place outside of the crowded masses is worth way more than just time. Sanity, peace of mind and not having to put up with too many people are all big bonuses.

 

[Nik H]

No brainer....

In the lat 6 years

1. I commuted from San Fransisco to my house in RI for 3.5 years. Was only home 12 days a month
2. Then I tool a job in Lowell, MA which was 90 miles one way from my house. Took 1.5 to 2 hours per leg. Drove that for 18 months 3 days a week...even in the winter
3. Now I work from home for 3 weeks a month and in LA for 1 week a month.

High paying jobs where I live are few and far between. We love where we live and I make it work. As the sole breadwinner, I have to

 

[isofahunter]

I drove 1:15 each way for 5 years, I like to drive and I was going south in the a.m. when most of the state was going north and vice versa in th evening. But there were 4 hour trips from time to time due to weather or accidents. For the last 20+ my dogs and I commute down the hall to work after getting coffee in the kitchen.

 

[niteshooter]

Strike while the iron is hot. Seems like a no brainer.
Opportunity seldom knocks loudly or more than once.

For an easy fast 8 hour work day an hour plus commute is ok.
Been doing 12 hour shifts and 1 way hour commutes for nearly 10 years and that’s about my limit. Add in the graveyard shifts and it will test your mettle as well as all the other relationships in your life but you learn quick what matters and what to appreciate.
But it also helps my drive is through rural cattle country with decent roads and traffic. Pass through one little podunk town on the way.

Leaving the city for the country everyday after work seems like a daily reward in itself.

 

[SilentStalkr]

I did it for years. I actually enjoyed the drive for a long time is it let me kind of wind up and down for work and I got to see some amazing scenery along the way. Now I will admit those lost hours kind of sucked when I got home and had a shit ton of stuff to do because eventually i seen it as wasted time I could be doing something else. However, about that time and every since I have been working from home which has been phenomenal.

I say if you guys like it and want to do so, make the drive! Oh one tidbit of advice, I found some backroads to my work when I was driving in everyday that made all the difference in the world. That way I avoided the interstates and all the traffic. I would highly suggest you try to do the same, if there is a different route.

 

[camotoe]

By a nice car and just do it

 

[wade2big]

An hour and fifteen minutes each way is nothing. The only way it would get tougher is if you worked 12 hour days. If that isn’t the norm then it should be fine.

Most of you guys must be city living office guys. Lol. I am an oilfield worker. It’s normal for me to get up in the morning and drive to location by 7:00am to start the day. Sometimes that’s an hour drive and sometimes 4 or more.

 

[niteshooter]

An hour and fifteen minutes each way is nothing. The only way it would get tougher is if you worked 12 hour days. If that isn’t the norm then it should be fine.

Most of you guys must be city living office guys. Lol. I am an oilfield worker. It’s normal for me to get up in the morning and drive to location by 7:00am to start the day. Sometimes that’s an hour drive and sometimes 4 or more.

Those county roads and lease roads can be hard on the front end.
Which oil field play do you work if you don’t mind me asking.
Eagle ford area is still keeping me busy.

 

[Thud]

Just do it. Worry about it later. You'll be better off in the long run.
Remember this Do it or Lose it.

 

[oneshot86]

just load up the cooler and kill a 12 pack on the way home

just kidding just kidding

 

[wade2big]

Those county roads and lease roads can be hard on the front end.
Which oil field play do you work if you don’t mind me asking.
Eagle ford area is still keeping me busy.

South Texas and into western Louisiana mostly. I’m a packer hand. Both completion and workover.

 

[Frgood]

I used to drive from Shelton, CT to Worcester, MA. A little over two hours, depending on weather. IT was worth it to me as the job was great and I loved where I lived on the weekends. My opinion is that home is home and you do what you need to for work. If the home is worth it, why not. Find a beater car with great gas mileage. (used Audi TDI (diesel) gets near 40 hwy). I drove a base model Saturn and enjoyed the radio and time to unwind.
Mind you, this was near all hwy. That is a key factor.

 

[missed]

About an hour for me. All depends on the traffic, also having a car that is comfortable and you enjoy driving to me is a must. I work 4 10's which makes a longer commute even easier. Were out and away not stuck in a damn cookie cutter neighborhood.

 

[UNRL Ghandi]

An hour fifteen is doable. I used to live in a place where I hated my house (too many neighbors), hated my commute (45 minutes to go 15 miles), and didn't care too much for my job. Obviously not a happy dude then. Moved to a more rural location and loved my house, tolerated my commute (now an hour but straight driving not a bunch of stoplights), and my job was the same. Big difference in my mood though.

Making city money with a country mortgage is exactly what I'm doing right now. Can't beat it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Commute, sorta.

73 Years old and nominally retired, I travel from a small, isolated high desert village/ghost town to the bustling metropolis of Tucson Mon, Wed, and Fri each week for my Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab treatments, 36 in total, 160mi both ways, 5760 miles altogether.

The travel takes 60-90 minutes (twice) altogether, for a rehab session of about 75-90 minutes starting at 1PM, and it essentially kills the whole day.

Just found out Friday that the estimated completion of next Friday has been pushed back ten more sessions, within a limited end date of August 28.

Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in. Seems I've heard that somewhere before.

Oh, well; gotta do what I gotta do.

It just comes as a bit of a frustration, since our 10 y/o littlest Grandchild flew in and got into the home around 2AM this morning. Plans get changed all the time.

Kinda makes one wonder why one's retired, anyway...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday was another hurry up and wait day. Grandson has a job, and a good one. Tire tech/Mechanic at a nearby (35-40min) bigger town, something he's been doing since he was 12y/o in his Dad's shop Back in Central NY. The owner keeps telling him he likes what he's seeing, and Pat's very happy there. He's working his butt off, mounting tires and rims, oil changes, etc., While his '84 Shelby GT350 is getting registered and back on the road ("very minor, oil change/fluids, fresh fuel in the tank, replace front tires"). Car belonged to a Tuner who had a few too many projects on the back lot.

Anyhoo, until road-worthiness, we drop him off and pick him up and yesterday was supposed to be a 4PM pickup. Well, the place was closing, and people kept pulling in with emergencies. Just him (his third day on the job), and another Tech. He ended up held up an extra hour and a half. Meanwhile, I've got Celia in the van, and we're getting later and later for the VFW Saturday dinner, to which we had invited the cross-street neighbor as well. We trucked in two hours late. We'd ordered our meals on the phone in advance. Good thing. They started serving at 5PM and ran out at 5:15PM. So we're just bustling in and they're immediately bringing out food to our regular ("The First Liars'-) Table". We are immediately the focus of a lot of heated stares from folks who gut skunked. Oh, well. We took especially good care of the volunteers who had been so gracious to us, who are already among our best friends.

OK, and home...

Our Granddaughters are airborne somewhere between Philadelphia and Chicago, then between Chicago and Tucson; due in at 11:35PM. Yeah, well, they landed at around 12:30AM in Tucson. Add three hours time to the awake for the 10 y/o, and allowances are in order. Add another 90 min for transport home from Tucson. All went well, but by then I was so wired I couldn't get to sleep before 3:30AM (my normal out time is 9:00PM-people run on an earlier clock in AZ, we don't do MDT).

Another "not-so-normal-but-getting-to-be-more-and-more-average" day.

Harrumph...

LOL!

Greg

 

[duke308]

I do just over an hour each way, luckily it is against the flow of the majority of traffic.
Not too bad.
I have done an hour and half in the rush and it was hell.

 

[Faronth]

In the past I have had a 5 minute walk to work (always times out to 4 minute walk home though). It felt like my office was my living room. Work came to the for front of your mind as one had to drive by the office to exit the complex. Plus my boss could literally look off the balcony and see if my truck was at my residence, made it hard to play hooky!

I also once had a 2.3 mile commute that would take 45 minutes if I left even minutes late but that was basically full stop, roll a few yards, full stop kind of mind numbing “driving”. That was kind of soul sucking in my experience.

My longest commute was 2+ hours, ~130 miles, freeway mostly but I could only take that for a few months. Ended moving to shorten that up to the 30 mile or so range. It was beyond what I could do long term.

Now I have a 45 minute, 34 mile commute. I find it is just about the right amount of time to gear up for and unwind from work. Obviously, most of that travel is at speed but it can get longer with the everyday delays of traffic, accidents, weather ect… There are mountains to look at along the way and I always find that particular form of God’s handiwork to be beautiful. I have three major routes to choose from. The one I used to use is now blessed with no less than six new traffic lights in a few years span so that has moved down to #2 on the preference list.

Bottom line is only you can decide what’s the limit for you. In my experience it is not so much the time driving as it is the type of driving. From what I have read and seen on this thread I say snap up your dream house and go for it. That looks to be one beautiful home.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

When I had my own business, my workplace was in LI, NY, and my Residence was in Northern NJ.

Rt 80, GWB, Cross Bronx Expressway. Whitestone Bridge, and Long Island Distressway, six days a week.

Bracing!

You could find a traffic jam on the Cross Bronx at any hour of the day or night.

Since that time, I have never had any tolerance for frustration...

Greg

 

[jrassy]

2 hours about does it for me each way. I have a company truck, 2016 GMC 1500 with 160,000 on it. I listen to audible books and podcasts. But those 14 hour days get old after 9-12 months. Currently I’m going 1 hour 5 minutes each way. Still a 12 hour day.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

i do a hour every day no big deal. 1 and 15 is well worth the house and country living. There is so many podcasts and audio books that it will make the time go by fast. Just get a good commuter to help save on gas.

 

[Mooseknuckles]

I had 45 minutes to an hour commute when I worked up in the city. Just hated it. Me and my wife finally moved back to our home town about 3.5 years ago. Now I have a 12 minute round trip to work. We live in a small town so doesn’t take long to get out in the country.

 

[mcfred]

View attachment 7099779

Looks like a very empty gun vault to me. My cutoff is 20 minute max one-way commute or I'll find another job, I value my time away from work more than money.

 

[Ironcreek]

We did 75 miles one way for better part of 5-years. Hated the commute but loved where we were living