Commuting Poll

[HejiraNYC]

I'm currently in the midst of considering a new job opportunity, which, on the face of it, seems like a very positive thing. It's at a company that seems to be at the precipice of big things and my ex-boss (who is there now) says nothing but good things about them. The position would be quite a step up the ladder and will likely entail a bit of travel to the UK and Japan :thumbsup: . However, the big downside is that I'm in Manhattan and the job is 30 miles away in New Jersey!! :eek: :distress: I can train it (two connections). I can drive it. Each scenario has its pluses and minuses. But any way I dice it up, I'm looking at a minimum of an hour each way :eek: . Currently I have a wonderfully scenic commute consisting of taking one train and walking along the Hudson River- a total of 25 minutes each way.

So the question is would you (more than) double your commute time for a better job with a 20-25% increase in salary and an extra week of vacation? Also, assume that you are neither thrilled nor bored with your present job.

[markolas]

I voted no, but that's because it takes me an hour to get to and from work anyway. :laugh:

That's a big raise, though. I'd definitely have to think about it. A train ride doesn't seem too bad, though. I just hate to drive, and I especially couldn't imagine doing so from NY to NJ. I was up there this past Xmas, and I have witnessed first hand how people in NJ drive. :p

[strandinthewind]

It will take me about 15 minutes to get to work as the train station is across the street from my new pad. Moreover, my employer pays for the Marta card. So, hell yes. I mean 15 minutes and I am a lawyer :eek:

[JazmenFlowers]

I voted no. it takes me 30 minutes to get downtown as it is...I don't think 20% is enough for me to drive an hour each way each day for work. I did that the whole time I was in high school and college and promised myself I'd never commute like that again.

[Beachwood Mac]

Before I escaped LA I had a 12 mile commute to work each way and in the evening those 12 miles took an hour... If I could take the train to work I would, regardless of an increase in salary. And I love to travel, so the chance to go to Japan and the UK for work would seal the deal for me. I vote Yes!

[gldstwmn]

I have the luxury of working from home. My office is in my house.
Anyway, I'm assuming the increase in pay is more than enough to offset the higher cost of transportation? Is it enough to offset the change in your quality of life? Here's a thought. If you get a chance, why don't you try the actual commute a few times and see how you feel about it? See if you could do it five days a week.

[SuzeQuze]

I voted no. it takes me 30 minutes to get downtown as it is...I don't think 20% is enough for me to drive an hour each way each day for work. I did that the whole time I was in high school and college and promised myself I'd never commute like that again.

I agree. I lived 35 miles away from work at one time and an hour commute was just too long for me. Sometimes it was 1 1/2 hours and in the snow forget it, could be 3 hours. So, unless you can work 7 hour days and do some work on the train, I would say no. Maybe you could negotiate something like that though!

[gldstwmn]

I voted no. it takes me 30 minutes to get downtown as it is...I don't think 20% is enough for me to drive an hour each way each day for work. I did that the whole time I was in high school and college and promised myself I'd never commute like that again.

This is OT but your sig pic rawks. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[ELIUD]

I already travel 40-45 minutes to and from work. So an hour commute for that much more money is something I would do. We have people here who commute an hour and an hour and a half to get here.

[HejiraNYC]

Thanks for the opinions so far... but here is an added wrinkle... what if it also entailed an extra week of vacation? :cool:

[strandinthewind]

Thanks for the opinions so far... but here is an added wrinkle... what if it also entailed an extra week of vacation? :cool:

You are an idiot if you do not take it!!!!!!

[carrie721]

i was going to say go for it even before you added the vacation thing. but that seals it for me. i don't mind commuting as long as i get to listen to music while doing it.

also, i just found myself imitating your sig for about a minute and a half straight. glad no one saw that. :laugh:

[HejiraNYC]

I have the luxury of working from home. My office is in my house.
Anyway, I'm assuming the increase in pay is more than enough to offset the higher cost of transportation? Is it enough to offset the change in your quality of life? Here's a thought. If you get a chance, why don't you try the actual commute a few times and see how you feel about it? See if you could do it five days a week.

I used to have even more horrendous commutes... I even used to work all the way out in Connecticut! :eek: My dilemma is that I am so spoiled by my current situation. And it isn't about commuting costs (which would be nominally higher, but no big deal). Rather, it's about losing 5 hours of my life every week. However, the upside to having a long-ish train commute is that it isn't always a total loss- you can read, do crossword puzzles, watch movies on the iPod, etc.- all things I would probably do normally anyway on my own time.

[HejiraNYC]

also, i just found myself imitating your sig for about a minute and a half straight. glad no one saw that. :laugh:

You are talking to one of the premiere neck snappers. :lol: I went to all-black schools as a kid, so I know how to throw down!

[carrie721]

You are talking to one of the premiere neck snappers. :lol: I went to all-black schools as a kid, so I know how to throw down!

next time i'm in nyc we're going to have to have a neck-snap showdown. better start practicing now! :laugh:

[HejiraNYC]

You are an idiot if you do not take it!!!!!!

But... but... it's Joisey :eek: Instead of looking out over the lower Manhattan skyline I would be looking out at the New Jersey Turnpike. :eek:

[HejiraNYC]

next time i'm in nyc we're going to have to have a neck-snap showdown. better start practicing now! :laugh:

Night of a Thousand Stevies. May 11. The Knitting Factory. Bring IT!!!! :p

[sparky]

In theory I say grab the cash, better future and vaca time. Since you can ride the train, you can get all that other crap done that you would be doing anyway - reading books, magazines, etc. On the other hand, I had a hideous commute a little over a year ago, and it was driving me completely nuts. It wasn't the time, it was the traffic. Sitting still. If I could have been on a train it would have been totally different. That isn't the same kind of frustration.
Now I am totally spoiled as my commute just got cut in half and I got an unexpected raise. So what do I know?

[HejiraNYC]

In theory I say grab the cash, better future and vaca time. Since you can ride the train, you can get all that other crap done that you would be doing anyway - reading books, magazines, etc. On the other hand, I had a hideous commute a little over a year ago, and it was driving me completely nuts. It wasn't the time, it was the traffic. Sitting still. If I could have been on a train it would have been totally different. That isn't the same kind of frustration.
Now I am totally spoiled as my commute just got cut in half and I got an unexpected raise. So what do I know?

I think boiling in a cauldron of bat guano sounds more appealing than sitting in endless, idling LA traffic. :eek: I don't know how people live like that... probably because I'm a walker by nature. The train does make the commute a bit more civilized... but sometimes it's like survival of the fittest trying to jockey for an actual seat within a packed car. It's no joyride if you're standing the whole way, staring into some stranger's armpit. :eek:

[sparky]

I think boiling in a cauldron of bat guano sounds more appealing than sitting in endless, idling LA traffic. :eek: I don't know how people live like that... probably because I'm a walker by nature.

It was excruciating, and if it were to have gone on longer than 5 months, I would have quit. Thank god it was only 20 episodes.

The train does make the commute a bit more civilized... but sometimes it's like survival of the fittest trying to jockey for an actual seat within a packed car. It's no joyride if you're standing the whole way, staring into some stranger's armpit. :eek:

The standing part would totally suck. Depends on the stranger though when it comes to the armpit.

[seeker007nmss]

I say go for it! More cash and a better future in exchange for a little longer ride. When I lived in LA I used to have to find the many "side street shortcuts" to get away from the freeway traffic. Some days it was just horrible. Now it is 18 minutes from home door to casino pit.

[ontheEdgeof17]

It's better to regret doing something than regret not doing it at all.:cool:

[skcin]

It's better to regret doing something than regret not doing it at all.:cool:

Does that mean you're going to go for travel nursing?


Hejira - I would do it. I agree with everyone about reading on the train.

[strandinthewind]

But... but... it's Joisey :eek: Instead of looking out over the lower Manhattan skyline I would be looking out at the New Jersey Turnpike. :eek:

Shut the blinds honey - because for five days more outa the year, you ain't looking at that and likely will be watching the sunset on some beach!

Capice?

On edit - I look at I75/85 and dream it's a river going through Atlanta like my beloved Mississippi River in New Orleans! Than again, I should be medicated most of the time :laugh:

[ontheEdgeof17]

Does that mean you're going to go for travel nursing?


:eek:

Don't bring me into this. This is Hejira's situation. :p

[Rickypt]

I wouldn't double my commute for a doubling of my salary. I walk to work or sometimes take a 5 minute BART ride. Quality of life is way too important for me and I don't drive either.

But that's just my quirk.

Edit: Oh wait, would I double my 5 minute BART ride for 20% more money?? Yes!

[strandinthewind]

. . . Edit: Oh wait, would I double my 5 minute BART ride for 20% more money?? Yes!

I know - when I read your post I was like "WHAT IS HE SMOKING!" :laugh:

I would soooooo do it at 10-15 minutes. I mean that would be where i used to live and it wasn't that bad.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I'm an hour or so from Pittsburgh. If they paid more $ for nursing, then I would definitely commute.

[strandinthewind]

I'm an hour or so from Pittsburgh. If they paid more $ for nursing, then I would definitely commute.

Nurses here were getting signing bonuses in the thousands of dollars.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Nurses here were getting signing bonuses in the thousands of dollars.

Sign-on bonuses are tricky. Usually, the higher the bonus, the more **** the job is. :nod:

[michelle2677]

it takes me 5 minutes to get to work :laugh: so yeah, I'd make it ten for a 20% increase :nod:

[HejiraNYC]

It's better to regret doing something than regret not doing it at all.:cool:

Well, it would break your heart... tear it apart. :lol: :p

[HejiraNYC]

The standing part would totally suck. Depends on the stranger though when it comes to the armpit.

Well, we're not talking about a streetcar named Desire here... we're talking about New Jersey Transit! :eek: Not exactly the kind of place where I would find comfort in a stranger's armpit.

[HejiraNYC]

Nurses here were getting signing bonuses in the thousands of dollars.

Oh, and that's another issue... there would probably be a nice five-figure sign-on with this new place... however, I may have to walk away from a sh*tload of unexercised stock options worth much more than that. :eek: :distress: And, most importantly, I may become too busy to post on the Ledge during the day! :eek: :p

[HejiraNYC]

it takes me 5 minutes to get to work :laugh: so yeah, I'd make it ten for a 20% increase :nod:

How much longer would the commute have to be before you start thinking 20-25% is not worth it?

[GardenStateGirlie]

However, the big downside is that I'm in Manhattan and the job is 30 miles away in New Jersey!! :eek: :distress: I can train it (two connections). I can drive it. Each scenario has its pluses and minuses. But any way I dice it up, I'm looking at a minimum of an hour each way :eek: . Currently I have a wonderfully scenic commute consisting of taking one train and walking along the Hudson River- a total of 25 minutes each way.

i have two jobs. one is an actual job and one is an internship. when i'm at school, the actual job (in pennsylvania) takes me 45 minutes to get to -- when i'm at my parents house, it takes about 15 (without traffic).

the internship (which is an opportunity for possible career placement after i'm through being an intern) is in manhattan. the internship is not stipend but since it's such a great opportunity, i'll deal with it. i take nj transit at 8:34 each morning so i can be in the city by 10. i then take either a cab or the subway (if it's the subway, i'm walking two blocks when i get off). do i love that i'm going to spend a vast majority of my life on a train or some other form of transportation until may? not particuarly. but you have to look at it from the stand-point that in the long run, it'll all pay off. so if you feel like this is worth it in terms of your career, then i say absolutely DO IT.

[strandinthewind]

Oh, and that's another issue... there would probably be a nice five-figure sign-on with this new place... however, I may have to walk away from a sh*tload of unexercised stock options worth much more than that. :eek: :distress: And, most importantly, I may become too busy to post on the Ledge during the day! :eek: :p

Well, add up what you are walking away from (seniority, position importance, security, stock options, commute time, etc. ) and then add up what you are getting. Sounds to me like if the stock options are worth a pretty penny, you ought to stay where you are, esp. if it is a solid company whose stock is stable or on the rise.

[HejiraNYC]

i have two jobs. one is an actual job and one is an internship. when i'm at school, the actual job (in pennsylvania) takes me 45 minutes to get to -- when i'm at my parents house, it takes about 15 (without traffic).

the internship (which is an opportunity for possible career placement after i'm through being an intern) is in manhattan. the internship is not stipend but since it's such a great opportunity, i'll deal with it. i take nj transit at 8:34 each morning so i can be in the city by 10. i then take either a cab or the subway (if it's the subway, i'm walking two blocks when i get off). do i love that i'm going to spend a vast majority of my life on a train or some other form of transportation until may? not particuarly. but you have to look at it from the stand-point that in the long run, it'll all pay off. so if you feel like this is worth it in terms of your career, then i say absolutely DO IT.

Ugh! That commute into the city is dreadful (and expensive)! But at least it has the opportunity to get your foot into the door of something wonderful. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to make it in the world.

On the other hand, I don't view this potential job as being a "great opportunity." It really is about the money, the potential for travel and being a "muckety-muck." I have no noble intentions or aspirations here. It's kind of a final destination... in my field it would be hard to ascend any higher without being an M.D. or PhD. :shrug: I'm relatively young to be at this level, so, if anything, I fear that I'm just going to plateau until I drop dead of old age. :eek:

[sparky]

Than again, I should be medicated most of the time :laugh:


You aren't already?

:eek:

[HejiraNYC]

Well, add up what you are walking away from (seniority, position importance, security, stock options, commute time, etc. ) and then add up what you are getting. Sounds to me like if the stock options are worth a pretty penny, you ought to stay where you are, esp. if it is a solid company whose stock is stable or on the rise.

That's what I'm doing, hon'; why do you think I am posing this question on a public forum? :D This is all so frustrating because it's not a slamdunk.

The stock is not doing gangbusters, but it's doing alright... But is it enough to keep me tethered down? The 20-25% increase may equalize it! Arggh... this is so frustrating.... :distress:

[GardenStateGirlie]

Ugh! That commute into the city is dreadful (and expensive)! But at least it has the opportunity to get your foot into the door of something wonderful. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to make it in the world.

On the other hand, I don't view this potential job as being a "great opportunity." It really is about the money, the potential for travel and being a "muckety-muck." I have no noble intentions or aspirations here. It's kind of a final destination... in my field it would be hard to ascend any higher without being an M.D. or PhD. :shrug: I'm relatively young to be at this level, so, if anything, I fear that I'm just going to plateau until I drop dead of old age. :eek:

yeah it pretty much stinks. my credit card hates me right now.

what i would do if i were you would be make a list of the positives and negatives of the job -- weigh both of them out considerably before accepting the offer.

and even if you do accept the position, who's to say it has to be your final destination? i know people who were in a career and left it for something totally different later on in life (we're talking the woman ran a bakery and then decided to become a nurse). there are infinite possibilities -- it's all about taking chances and figuring out if it's worth the risk.

[strandinthewind]

That's what I'm doing, hon'; why do you think I am posing this question on a public forum? :D This is all so frustrating because it's not a slamdunk.

The stock is not doing gangbusters, but it's doing alright... But is it enough to keep me tethered down? The 20-25% increase may equalize it! Arggh... this is so frustrating.... :distress:

The 20-25% plus the signing bonus are birds in the hand - so to speak - while the options are speculation.

Also, remember to match net dollars - in other words consider all tax consequences to income and/or cap. gain - this ensures a level playing field.

[strandinthewind]

You aren't already?

:eek:

HOOKER :xoxo:

[skcin]

I'm an hour or so from Pittsburgh. If they paid more $ for nursing, then I would definitely commute.


Many nurses commute from here to Rochester -3 days a week, 12 hour shifts. Sure, that's about 15 hours total each day. But only 3 days a week.

Nurses here were getting signing bonuses in the thousands of dollars.

Here as in, at your house? Fax me over a job description - but just so you know, I don't do enemas. :wavey:

Sign-on bonuses are tricky. Usually, the higher the bonus, the more **** the job is. :nod:

Well, that explains it.


And, most importantly, I may become too busy to post on the Ledge during the day! :eek: :p

I take back what I said. :shocked: You can't possibly do this, I can't believe you're even considering it! And right before Mama heads out on tour. On second thought, you probably won't miss anything. :laugh:

[DavidMn]

I'd probably want more tha 20%

[HejiraNYC]

yeah it pretty much stinks. my credit card hates me right now.

what i would do if i were you would be make a list of the positives and negatives of the job -- weigh both of them out considerably before accepting the offer.

and even if you do accept the position, who's to say it has to be your final destination? i know people who were in a career and left it for something totally different later on in life (we're talking the woman ran a bakery and then decided to become a nurse). there are infinite possibilities -- it's all about taking chances and figuring out if it's worth the risk.

I think the common theme about people who do midlife career changes is that they a) already made a *****load of money in their first career and/or b) they have spouses who will support them financially in their new endeavors. It's different when you are single. And it's really, really hard to decrease your standard of living, especially in a city like NYC, where everything is expensive. I dread the thought of ever leaving. This old troll has already paid his dues; I'm not in the mood to go back to living paycheck to paycheck.

So I do agree that we are all free to pursue newer/better dreams, but it also means having to make some sacrifices, or having to have the means to do it.

[SuzeQuze]

Is the new company stable? It sounds like the job would be more exciting. What about stress level? Would it be really stressful? If so, how well do you handle stress? Personally, I wouldn't do the commute because I LOVE my 1/2 hour commute after having done 5 years of 1+ hours. I don't like driving in traffic and I don't like the filthy train full of losers and weirdos. :lol: But mostly, I am much happier with that extra hour or two of life I get to live. Plus my commute really isn't stressful at all anymore and I really love that, I am much healthier!

[strandinthewind]

. . . Here as in, at your house? Fax me over a job description - but just so you know, I don't do enemas. :wavey: . . . .

Then don't expect me to give you one either :p :p :p

:angel:

[markolas]

If you do take the job, I hope you rathole as much money as you possibly can.

[markolas]

I have the luxury of working from home. My office is in my house.

Okay, you seriously need to share your secret with me. How did you get a gig like this? That's my dream. Well, actually, my dream is to not have to work at all, but I may not be there for a while. You can bet your ass I'm constantly thinking about how to accomplish that, though.

[JazmenFlowers]

Okay, you seriously need to share your secret with me. How did you get a gig like this? That's my dream. Well, actually, my dream is to not have to work at all, but I may not be there for a while. You can bet your ass I'm constantly thinking about how to accomplish that, though.
you ain't never lied. I even contemplated doing medical transcription cause I could work from home, but then I learned they don't make ****.

Chris - what do you do?

[carrie721]

you ain't never lied. I even contemplated doing medical transcription cause I could work from home, but then I learned they don't make ****.

Chris - what do you do?

isn't she in real estate?

[markolas]

isn't she in real estate?

Don't you have to leave the house for that, though? :laugh:

[carrie721]

Don't you have to leave the house for that, though? :laugh:

i don't think she said she never leaves her house.

:p

[SuzeQuze]

I have the luxury of working from home 1 or two days a week. Like today! I edit computer books. If you work in high tech you can probably finagle working from home a couple of days a week. I have a friend who works in GIS (Geographical Imaging Systems, I believe) and she works from home. My roommate is a stenographer and she works from home most of the time editing her transcriptions.

[HejiraNYC]

Is the new company stable? It sounds like the job would be more exciting. What about stress level? Would it be really stressful? If so, how well do you handle stress? Personally, I wouldn't do the commute because I LOVE my 1/2 hour commute after having done 5 years of 1+ hours. I don't like driving in traffic and I don't like the filthy train full of losers and weirdos. :lol: But mostly, I am much happier with that extra hour or two of life I get to live. Plus my commute really isn't stressful at all anymore and I really love that, I am much healthier!

Stress is not an issue for me. To tell you the truth, I would like to be stressed for a change. :eek: Fortunately my present job is so laid back that I can actually spend some of my day dealing with my house-building project, but once that is completed, I'm going to be one bored stiff. :distress:

I know what you mean about the commute... I've had it so good for so long that I dread the thought of losing it. :distress:

[SuzeQuze]

Stress is not an issue for me. To tell you the truth, I would like to be stressed for a change. :eek: Fortunately my present job is so laid back that I can actually spend some of my day dealing with my house-building project, but once that is completed, I'm going to be one bored stiff. :distress:

I know what you mean about the commute... I've had it so good for so long that I dread the thought of losing it. :distress:

This might be one of those offers you can't refuse. Change can be really invigorating and you will learn so much. In the end, I think you'll have to go with your gut. What is it telling you?