NWR: How far do you commute to work?

I drive 40 min each way down country roads. I don't mind it too much. My fiancé drives about the same amount of time but less distance because he gets stuck in Milwaukee traffic. He absolutely hates but he also doesn't like his job right now either.

A lease isn't a reason to not chase your dream. You can get a sublease or get a cheap apartment near work to stay at a few nights a week (I wouldn't personally do the separate apartment but some people do at my work).

I've made it a point to try to downsize my commute as I get older. When I lived in NYC, my commute was about 1.5 hrs each way. In DC, my job last year, my commute was 45 mins or so. Now my commute is 20-25 mins on the bus which I love! My salary has gotten smaller since moving from NYC but I have been more focused on quality of life at this point in my life (I'm 35). FH and I will probably have kids right away and I'm done taking my work home with me and constantly being stressed in my work life.

I commute a hr each way. But for my area jobs are a little harder to find in my field that has decent benefits and pay. I work for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

I commute 45 minutes one way. I absolutely love my job and the drive is a straight shot so it doesn't feel as long as it is. I always say that interviewing can never hurt you. I would try to get an interview, this is your first test at the commute. Make sure you try driving the route during rush hour as well so you get a good idea of what it'll be like if you get the job. Also when interviewing, make sure its really something you can see yourself doing long-term. A job may sound great on paper, but the work environment may not be what you thought. If you aren't fully happy in the job, the commute will make you miserable.

Right now my commute is from my bedroom to couch since its a new job with no office for a few months. I used to have an hour (door to door) commute and that will soon be the case with my new office. I don't hate the hour commute since its on a train and I catch up on reading. I also enjoy the pay increase for working in the city. I was offered 2 different jobs over the last few years and both confirmed my pay would be lower by atleast $15k if I left the city for the shorter commute and I wasn't about to give that up.

People make a huge deal out of long commutes, but as someone with one, I don't think it's that bad. It really depends on the person.

I commute from Cape Cod to Boston. For two years I drove in and it was 1.5+ hours each way with traffic, normally 2 hours one of the ways depending on time of the year.

Just 3 weeks ago my work relocated into REAL Boston (before our building was right before all the skyscrapers, so it didn't feel like the city to me) and now my commute is right around 2 hours. I have to drive 20 minutes to Middleboro to take the Commuter Rail, get off CR, get on the T, get off the T, get on the T again, get off the T, and then I arrive right under my new building. It's long and expensive, but I no longer have to sit in traffic and can do stuff on the train. I also work from home 2 days a week currently (hopefully 3 soon), so that definitely helps ease it.

I'm getting paid double here compared to what I was making back home, so the commute is 100% worth it to me in order for my fiance and I to reach our financial goals (like building our house). I leave at 4 and get home by 6, which I'm okay with (I'm not okay getting home at 7 and later) and still leaves me plenty of down time (or time for my other jobs).

If you think the time you get home is okay and can benefit from the higher pay, I say go for it.

My commute as a music teacher is 45-60 minutes a day. I can't handle it anymore, so FH has agreed that we can move closer when our apartment lease is up. We're hoping to get within 15 minutes of the town I work in. FH commutes up to Manhattan every day - it's about 75 minutes if you include driving to the station. His commute will go up a bit when we move, but he sleeps on the train so he doesn't care much!

I couldn't do more than an hour one way. The wear and tear, maintenance on my car, gas, and other expenses associated with commuting doesn't make it worth the time to travel for me. I also have three children so I factor time away from them into the equation.

Thanks all. VERY much appreciated. You've all given me a lot to think about. For those asking, yes, the commute was one way in my original post. So basically 3-4 hours roundtrip of commuting depending on the job and the city. With my dream city job being 4 hours of total commuting.

I just feel like I can't grow in the city I'm currently in with the career I'm in.

There is no way in possible hell I would commute 2 hours. Its unclear whether that's one way or total but either way, that would be a deal-breaker. If you and your FH can find a location to live something that's in the middle, see if you can sublet your new place and get out of your lease. Otherwise, if there are no opportunities for you where you live now, you and FH will need to figure out some compromises so that you can both be happy with your careers.

I commute 15 miles, about 25 minutes. DH commutes 13 miles, about 20-25 mins. also. We both agree that wherever we live, would have to be within 30 mins. of our work places.

20 minutes. I used to commute 2+ hours round trip when I was interning at my current work before I got hired on. It was PAINFUL and waste of time. Also my itty bitty intern paycheck didn't justify the commute. First thing I did when I got hired on was getting a place closer to my work.

I personally would not recommend long commute.

I currently commute about an hour & fifteen minutes (depending on traffic) 30 minutes in the car & 30 minutes on the bus. Its not terrible since I do take the bus part way, but I would never say it was enjoyable. I'm always looking for something closer to home! I'm constantly exhausted from the travel & having to get up extra early to leave for work, then going to bed early to try & get enough sleep.

I've had commutes anywhere between 10 minutes and 1.5 hrs each way depending on traffic. There are tons of people working in NYC and DC that commute 2-3 hours each way. I also know people that live with their families on the weekend and stay in an apt 3 or 4 nights a week close to the job. Sometimes, you just have to make those sacrifices for your career.

I commute an hour each way in traffic. There's no way in hell I would do a commute further than the one I already have—even for a dream job...

I spend 40ish minutes (depending on traffic) in the car each way - sometimes having to go back to work more than once a day. the majority of the trip is interstate - which isn't usually very bad unless there's a wreck. the hardest part is getting out of the neighborhood. good luck with the decision!

I would not recommend a two hour commute. I have a 40-50 minute commute each way and it sucks the life out of me every day.

I have done the hour long commute and honestly it sucked for me. I live in a high traffic city, and I didnt have the patience to be stuck in traffic after a long day at work. But that being said everyone is different and I have friends who love the time because the could use to decompress. I currently only commute about 20 minutes from my home and its honestly the best. It really depends on your attitude. If you love your job enough you might not mind commuting or if you hate being stuck in traffic even if you love your job you may hate your commute.

its all relative.

I commute 35-40 minutes each way, which I don't prefer considering my last job was 5 minutes away - I feel like it kills my evenings, I couldn't imagine commuting more than an hour

I mean, think of it this way - thats 4 hours a day you're committing to your job that you're not getting paid for. Surely your time is more valuable than that.