[Closed] Commuting distance question (job hating content)

Career change?

Career change?

In time, I think, yes. This would be a subtle transition away from what i currentlyu do, to something a little different (still legal-based).

commute 160 miles a day on the M6

😯 that sounds like hell to me!

Any work form home options?

how much is a train season ticket? it's about the same time on the train as in the car and gives you a couple of hours each day to read / get some work done. I commuted wigan to crewe for 3 years and the train was great

that sounds like hell to me!

My thoughts.

how much is a train season ticket? it's about the same time on the train as in the car and gives you a couple of hours each day to read / get some work done.

Don't know. Haven't altogether considered that option.

The trouble is, I loathe the current job so much, I'm happy to consider pretty much any option....

Try and steer clear of the M6. It's not nice.

I live in the east mids (near Grantham) and have just moved work to Bristol. A round trip of 320 miles. Unfortunately, I didn't have much choice, I was made redundant and an old contact offered me this within 2 days of finishing.

I drive down on a monday morning and rent a room in a house for three nights a week - heading home on Thursday night. I then work at home on a Friday.

It's not ideal, and I miss my wife and kids like you wouldn't believe.

national rail website comes up with this (all manchester stations to all brum stations)

7 Days 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months
£103.70 £398.30 £1,194.70 £2,389.30 £4,148.00

what would your petrol cost?

Option 5 - rent a cheap flat/houseshare in/near brum and go back at weekends?
There is no way I would drive that distance daily, Manc to Brum must be one of the worst commutes in the land, plus it will cost you a bomb.

Nightmare situation.

The prospect of such a long commute (by car) would surely negate any benefit you feel in improving your work life within a short space of time.

Would a combination of rail and shirk-from-home be feasible? I work in the same industry as you and all our people can be fully mobile, although its less technology and more politics/culture that's the barrier.

As a side note, I've noticed a slight pickup in staff turnover in the past couple of months (maybe not in corporate just yet) - perhaps a sign that things are improving?

Best of luck.

I'm loath to rent somewhere and spend too much time away from home, for various reasons (including Mrs North and I trying for kids, and the fact it didn't do my parents any good when my father did it for several years and is doing it again).

Part of me is thinking a move further south would be desirable in any event - Mrs North would like to get out of Manchester at some point, though it's a shame, as we're enjoying living where we do (sod's law).

Train from Crewe to Wolverhampton is 30 mins, and Crewe is around 30 miles away from where I currently am (and much closer to Knutsford or somewhere similar).

I know this is somewhat arse about face, but it is a key consideration. I couldn't take the job and assume that Mrs North can do what she does anywhere else (except maybe Cambridge), but equally it gets me out of the position I am in (which is not doing my mental helth any good), and also is a nice transition in my career.

2tyred - just seen your post.

I think you're probably right that this would be too much. It certainly isn't commutable by bike, which is what I do now..!

Working from hom has been mentioned as party of a transitionary period, but the expectation seems to be that long term I would be based in the office.

The role is interesting, and not altogether legal. It also represents a great first move in-house (for non-lawyers: working for a business which isn't a law firm is referred to us as "in-house").

You'll be so wiped out from commuting 37600 miles a year, that any time you're at home will be wasted time anyway.

If you're successful in trying for kids, you're not going to be wanting to spend 20 hours a week commuting anyway.

A job you hate plus a short commute must be better than a marginally better job with a commute you hate that wipes you out for all of your non-work time?

Mike - nice calcs.

You make some good points.

Still, I've not even had the first interview, so all this might well be academic anyway.

No prospect of being seconded to a client anywhere? Good way to try being 'in-house', for all intents and purposes would get you out of where you are now for a while, give you time to consider things a bit more.

I'd wait until you are offered the job first. Maybe a three day week is possible in the office and the rest at home. A daily train commute from Crewe to Brum is doable without it being a complete PITA. A lot of people commute 2 hours each way in London.

2tyred - was supposed to be going to Saudi Arabia for a short secondment, but it didn't happen.

I have tried to find something, but none of our clients want to know right now.

Roter Stern - you are quite right. I'd rather be presented by a real dilemma, as opposed to a theoretical one..! (Trouble is, the rec cons is a friend of mine - I used to work with her - and she's been pretty up-front about needing to get this out of the way before going forward.)

Move halfway - some nice places to the west of the M6 between Manc and Brum. I've just had a similar move and drive from Halifax to Cheshire daily - 120mile round trip but the job is worth it. Looking at those train tickets, they seem pretty expensive. I put £50 a week dizzle in the car and it just does my 600 miles a week. Tough choice - train with a load of other people vs car with heated seats and my ipod plugged into the stereo.

My dad did [url= http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Darlington,+UK&daddr=Wallsend,+Tyne+And+Wear,+UK&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.000575,28.168945&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=9 ]40 miles each way[/url] by car for 20 years. After starting to use a motorbike instead, he used the train/Metro in the winter and said he wished he'd done that from the beginning.

A couple of years ago, he was transferred to the local office and said it was like having a part-time job.

You'd need to allow 2 hours each way, the M6 is terrible at the moment and you'd have to pass several black spots like the M6/5 junction then tackle the A38M into Birmingham each day

Even if you moved half way you'd be looking at a 1-2 hour drive if you factor in the likelihood of hitting traffic

Ive had a similar choice recently though not quite as many miles and on a slightly better roads. Ive done the journey a couple of times now and hasnt taken more than an hour or just over but thats about the max I would do. I can start early and should be home the same time as the mrs who despite a much shorter commute has difficult roads. But on the other hand my pterol is going to be paid for etc so no real cost to me other than the time and I can work from home a couple of days a week. Wouldnt want to do it every day for 52 weeks a year I dont think

MTFU and do the job they are paying you for, grass is always greener etc.

Work isn't supposed to be fun and can't be that bad if you are on here

That's a madness commute. I'm doing 3 days a week in Surrey at the moment (live nr Edinburgh) and that's killing me. Fortunately it's only for a month or so.

Tijuana Taxi - Member
MTFU and do the job they are paying you for, grass is always greener etc.

Work isn't supposed to be fun and can't be that bad if you are on here

I would imagine the less happy people are with their jobs, the more time they spend skiving on here. (NB This is my lunchtime guilty pleasure at the moment).

Work isn't supposed to be fun and can't be that bad if you are on here

I have edited my last response.

I'm not sure I came on here to gripe about my job (about which you know nothing other than my above info), rather to seek views on commuting times.

Given the last decade has had a 5 mile each way commute in a city, this is a rather different proposition.

Oh, and it's a job I want, rather than the current one, which isn't what I want. No, work doesn't need to be fun, but it does need to be engaging and demanding in the right ways. Also, my job isn't just a job, it's a career into which I have invested a lot of time and money. I need to make the right career choices, considerign all factors both long and short term.

[i]Work isn't supposed to be fun and can't be that bad if you are on here
[/i]

😆

You still havent said why you cant use the train ?

don't even think about driving. i'm half way between brum and manc and would take the train to either every time. M6/M5 junction is beyond hell. like an uber hell with bells and whistles.

you might hate your job now but you'd hate that commute more.

I do approx 50 each way by motorcycle currently in approx 1 hour.
I'd prefer to do it by car but very heavy traffic for half the journey prevents that.

It's not fantastic but gives me minimum 1 hour extra per day & lets me see my kids both morning & evening.

40k miles a year costs quite a bit to do. That's 4k just in fuel costs (assuming it doesn't go up, and you have a diesel doing 46ish mpg), plus several hundred for servicing at least (you'll be in a few times a year), a couple of sets of tyres, more expensive insurance, and even if you do it cheaply with 3-6 year old cars that can still be a couple of grand depreciation per year on top. Can spend £7k doing that easily - and of course that's after tax, so you'd need more like £10k on your salary to cover it.

And that's purely financial, not counting the 31 days a year (750 hours) of your time you'll spend in the car.

Fine short-term, but not a good prospect for longer than a couple of months.

Work to live, not the other way round. Most money for the shortest hours and enjoy your leisure time.
If you have kids spend time with them when they are little rather than moan you never saw them grow up

From what you say sounds like their are a good few people in your line of work with nothing, so pull your socks up before you join them

Hear too much about careers and i'm an unemployed whatever, when you are unemployed you are just that, on the dole.

One of our local gang changed jobs a couple of years ago from Southampton to London, a similar distance commute. we've only seen him a couple of times since.

You've go to decide how much those extra 20 hours a week commuting are worth to you.

Also, if you're trying for a family then Mrs North must be intending to at least interrupt her career.

If (hopefully 'when') you do succeed with starting a family I can't see your dearly beloved thanking you for being out of the house 13+ hours a day.

you will soon come to hate the commute of the new job and therefore the job too.

So, a few responses:

You still havent said why you cant use the train ?

Happy to if I can get the right journey combo (don't weant to have to drive into Manc to get the train out - I live near the end of the M56).

don't even think about driving. i'm half way between brum and manc and would take the train to either every time.

A common theme. I know the junciton well. Actually, job is in Kingswinford, so would be getting off M6 further north, but that in itself is probably an issue.

you might hate your job now but you'd hate that commute more

That's the fear.

And that's purely financial, not counting the 31 days a year (750 hours) of your time you'll spend in the car.

Thanks for the sums - TBH, we only own one car (Mrs North's), so another would probably have to be acquired.

Work to live, not the other way round. Most money for the shortest hours and enjoy your leisure time.

A nice aim. Not always possible as a private practice lawyer (I've posted up on here plenty of times after doing 24+ hour stints at work). In-house is designed to be more predictable, so a head in the right direction.

From what you say sounds like their are a good few people in your line of work with nothing, so pull your socks up before you join them

Oh, socks are being pulled up, believe me. I'm f***ed if I don't leave this place on my own terms.

Hear too much about careers

It's the burden of being clever and industrious enough to be a "high achiever" by society's workaholic standards.

If (hopefully 'when') you do succeed with starting a family I can't see your dearly beloved thanking you for being out of the house 13+ hours a day.

Thanks for the good wishes, although there's no guarantee in the current format that this wouldn't happen: unrtil the recession really bit this year, a normal working day for me was always 12+ hours, with half an hour each way for the ride in and out.

Also, if you're trying for a family then Mrs North must be intending to at least interrupt her career.

This is a fair point, and I suspect something she would like to do on the right terms, hence this being a difficult one.

Thanks, everyone, for all of your comments. Really thought provoking.

Cheers

Tom

i do 70 miles each way every day to get to uni and would not even consider doing it if i was on full time hours. you'd be too knackered when you were trying to drive home at night to do it safely.

Tom,
Sorry to hear you're fed up mate. No experience of a commute that length but it doesn't sound an easy option, even on the train. I can easily imagine that wiping out the benefits of a different job, although, as noted by another poster, a 2 hour commute isn't exactly uncommon in the London area.

To be honest it sounds like you need to ride bikes and drink beer. Give me a shout if you'd like to do either over the weekend!

Ed

Tijuana. Are you a Welfare Rights Officer for the Taliban?

To be honest it sounds like you need to ride bikes and drink beer. Give me a shout if you'd like to do either over the weekend!

I'm in Manchester on Wednesday. The trains aren't going to work for a post-course HTN preview ride, but they will for a post work drinkipoos.

miketually - Member

I'm in Manchester on Wednesday. The trains aren't going to work for a post-course HTN preview ride, but they will for a post work drinkipoos.

STW evening beers? Might be on for that, would hope to be over my cold by then 🙂

To be honest it sounds like you need to ride bikes and drink beer.

I'm going to do a bit of the chaingang tomorrow (legs sore from track last night) and then the new clubrun on Sunday. You got over your swine flu yet?

I'm in Manchester on Wednesday. The trains aren't going to work for a post-course HTN preview ride, but they will for a post work drinkipoos.

Yes! What time? Mail me.

STW evening beers? Might be on for that, would hope to be over my cold by then

Yes! What time? Mail me

My course is in Salford and finishes at 3:30.

Suggestions for a venue? I'll need to eat too.

Tom,
Got a bit of a cough still and my chest feels a bit scratchy so not chainganging, going to do a session on the computrainer instead hopefully. Will probably be out on sunday although the weather looks like a bundle of laughs so will again depend on state of chest!

I'm riding the fix too so not sure how long I will be able to hang on if martin, jerry, nathan etc tag along. At least I know cheshire pretty well!

Ed - still haven't built my fixed. Ran into a technical issue (RH crank is seized on).

Mike - 3.30 too early for those of us not working in the education sector. Could prob do soon after 5, but that may not work for you. Let me know.

Mike - 3.30 too early for those of us not working in the education sector. Could prob do soon after 5, but that may not work for you. Let me know.

It'll over run and then I have to get in to the centre from Salford. I'd assumed people with proper jobs (I'm teaching two days next week!) would be tied up till later 🙂

(I don't normally finish work until 4:10.)

It'll over run and then I have to get in to the centre from Salford.

Salford -> Manchester is about half a mile 🙂

Where is it in Salford? And from which station does your homeward train depart? These things will affect any choice of venue

(I don't normally finish work until 4:10.)

No wonder you think I'm insane for contemplating a lengthy commute.

OK, so if you're on the train, you'll probably be heading out from Piccadilly. Although, TBH, there isn't much in it when getting to Victoria of Piccadilly when in the city centre.

If you're in Salford, will you be near the tram? If so, that's as good a way as any to get into Manchester. Depends, then, whether you want a pint in an identkit bar, or somewhere more original? Latter suits me best.

If you are on the tram, how about you get off at GMEX (might now be renamed Manchester Central), and I can provide directions to the Briton's Protection, where you can make a head start on the whisky (they have a couple of hundred malts)?

If you are on the tram, how about you get off at GMEX (might now be renamed Manchester Central), and I can provide directions to the Briton's Protection, where you can make a head start on the whisky (they have a couple of hundred malts)?

I was going to suggest just wandering down Bridge St and heading to the Chophouse - great beers and the food is not bad at all. However the Briton's Protection is a fine Boozer 🙂

As there's plenty of time, I'll probably walk into the centre. Train is from Picadilly - will get an open return so no set time, but don't want to be too late home.

i'm tempted to show up for this (although obviously i can't eat stuff pretty much anywhere and i'll be drinking softie's beer!)... earliest i could get into manchester after work would be 5.30 though, probably...

As there's plenty of time, I'll probably walk into the centre.

You do know Salford is aka The Wild West. 🙂 What you need, Mr McT, is a folding bicycle. Although that wouldn't be allowed in the Sandbar, unless it's fixed with dayglo pink rims 😉

NBT/XHX - we can go wherever suits, assuming that XHX won't come out in a rash if in the presence of meat pies and ale..! 🙂

you could always invest in a new business, work from home, no salary but peace of mind and nice luxury sock 😉

iDave - that does require having money to invest. Not something I have yet managed to amass.

I think you would grow tired of the commute vey quickly. If you and the Mrs are looking to have kids, will she want to continue to pursue her career anyway ?

Tijuana. Are you a Welfare Rights Officer for the Taliban?

No, just a realist, not many jobs are very fulfilling and I see too many people working mental hours and losing out on life

Life is just a one off show, no dress rehearsal, so make the most of it

Gave up the pursuit of fame and fortune many years ago, small house, ten year old motor, but loved every minute watching my nipper grow up
My missus felt the same, packed up work to see the kid through childhood and never regretted a minute of it

I'm fifty one at the end of the month, but can now retire at 60 or before with no mortgage and the chance health permitting to have some more good times
Careers and so called success ain't everything if life is crap and you are unhappy

Hope the OP gets what he wants without missing out too much on the good stuff
So Tom, I don't think that commute is a great idea and if you do move down to Cambridge come and have a pint.
Nice place to raise a family, sorry I was a bit harsh sounding, but not always best to just sympathise

Have a good weekend all

assuming that XHX won't come out in a rash if in the presence of meat pies and ale..!

only time will tell mate!
no really, as long as there's no stupid dress code, i'm happy to go anywhere really.

Ahhh, just spotted it's a wendesday. That's Pub Quiz night, I'm not entirely sure I'll be allowed a pass out 🙂

my 1st 'real' job was in darlington and I lived in newcastle....80 mile round trip. it was a nightmare, made me change careers. That was 10 years ago and the most i've ever commuted since then is 4 miles (the republic of chorlton into manc) I don't think I could put money on what that is worth to me.

As for Manc to Brum....we put a system into the RAC and spent a load of time at that building on the M6 (Bescot). I was there one and off for the best part of a year...the best I ever did it in was just under an hour and that was late one evening, you are looking at 2 hours of the most tedious and frustrating driving known to man.

either stay down there during the week or suck it up and stay where you are for now.

just for the record....my commute now consists of a park, a small bridge and 2 sets of traffic lighs. nightmare I think you'll agree 🙂

i am currently doing Cheltenham to Chester go up monday return friday, the idea of doing that section of the M6 everyday would be my idea of Hell, I have done the journey in 2.5hrs, but more normal is 4! particularly as most of the M6 is on 50 mph speed limits.

Have taken to coming down the through Oswestry as it is quicker, but not if you follow the sat nav and come through Hereford?

When you say birmingham which bit, north would be bad enough, but south and having to get past the m6/m5 junction, don't bother.

Sod that for a commute. wouldnt do that for any job.
And one other thing no one else has mentioned, the air quality round the Midlands and Brum in particular is shite!
I agree with the comments or work to live etc and you may have invested heavily in your studies etc etc to get your qualifications but at the end of the day dont become 'institutionalised' to your job. Try something completely different for a while, something that allows you to stay in your nice house, still retain your current social life but also allows you to relax and enjoy work and that covers the bills and some little luxuries. Once you have decided that law stuff is what you miss then go back to it. All this financial mess will be behind us by then.

Some interesting perspectives. You peeps are giving me a consistent message.

Thanks. As always, this place is enlightenment itself. Truly appreciated.

Tom

PS Tijuana - get where you're coming from, but it's not something I feel I can change overnight. Need to transition into something else.

I'm at B on [url= http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=manchester+picadilly&daddr=M50+3BF&hl=en&geocode=FYj-LwMdEPnd_ylXYzkWlrF7SDHu8mwc1bGcbA%3BFXvrLwMd8Bnd_ym3knOIFK57SDEhd08gftum-g&mra=cc&dirflg=w&date=29%2F11%2F09&time=20:37&ttype=dep&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=&tline=&sll=53.474585,-2.253165&sspn=0.057011,0.110378&ie=UTF8&z=13 ]this map[/url] for the course.

Can I get there on the tram, and am I right in thinking the train ticket I use to get down there is usable on the trams too?

Who's still on for a couple of post-course/work drinkies? I'm probably aiming for the 7:42 train home, as that's direct.

ourmaninthenorth - banking/corporate/syndicated lending wouldn't be part of your background, would it?

Mike, not sure your ticket will be ok on the tram - nomally train & tram ticjkets are "central zone", I'm not sure where the central zone ends. If you've bought it already, you should check - if not, then make sure you ask for the right ticket when you do buy it

You can get the tram to Salford quays, yes, the tram stops are marked to the north and south of your destination - if you use satellite view you can see the tracks and stations more clearly.

From where you are, OMITN's suggestion of the Briton's protection is a good one, not sure if it does food though? It's ajust a couple of stops on the tram line that goes from picadilly to salford, so pretty direct

Evening wise, not sure on the logistics / permissions. will have to confirm, but if I do go, my train would be from picadilly a couple of minutes after yours so pretty good timing

2tyred - no, I'm a (mainly) M&A lawyer, rather than banking. Why, got a job for me? 😉

The Britons does food after a fashion, but it is a very old fashioned boozer really. Slightly along the road, there is a the Rain Bar, a more generic type of place (being a JW Lees pub), but that does food. We could always go there.

And then to the Temple (a converted public convience) before tipping you onto a train or a tram back to Piccadilly.

Your walking route, Mike, though not one I'd be massively keen on taking, does effectively deliver you to the Briton's Protection, so isn't a bad option.

Like NBT says, the tram would be a good option. You can go from Salford Quays tram stop to GMEX tram stop. The Britons is but a cockstride from there.

so close...

Shame - what is it. I am pretty adaptable, you know. And besides, lending is all LMA these days, isn't it? 😉

YGM

i'm still up for popping in for a drinky; going to a gig at the retro bar later on that evening but it's easy enough for me to get into town for 6ish. just let me know where/when you'll be and i'll come over.

Shall we got for the Briton's Protection then?

fine by me.
i'll email/PM you my mobile number later mike, just to make the meeting up a bit easier.

Cool - miketually@gmail.com, will text my number back to you.

Tom, have you got the message yet? don't do it 🙂

ask for a sabbatical - 2-3 months off, time to ride, de-stress from work and look for a new job. all else fails, the break should mean you can keep at it for another 6-12months and keep looking.

the commute is not worth it.

Tom, have you got the message yet? don't do it

Kinda. Still got my CV in, though.

ask for a sabbatical

Cracking idea, but I'm not sure the finances could take it. And besides, I'd probably never go back to work...anywhere.

Not being funny (and I've not read the entire thread) - is another legal job going to be [i]that[/i] much better?

I'm not keen on mine, mostly because my boss is difficult to deal with, but I've worked for worse.

Briton's Protection between 5 and 6?

I'll be wearing shades in the corner, surrounded by groupies 🙂 I look like the chap in this picture: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/4768811.IT_teacher_employed_as_Twitterer_in_residence/, but won't have a quill pen 😉

This the pub? http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Britons+Protection&sll=53.469555,-2.258034&sspn=0.041486,0.077162&ie=UTF8&cd=1&hq=Britons+Protection&hnear=&ll=53.474606,-2.247938&spn=0.005025,0.009645&z=17&iwloc=A

yes mike, that's the place.
i'll be wearing a ridiculously garish green and white sombrio hat, i reckon...

I live in Suffolk and work in Bracknell, which currently means sitting in the car park that is the M25 on a regular basis. Its 135 miles door to door and can take 4 1/2 hours on a bad day. I sometimes stay over in Watford at a friends which helps, and in the summer I commute by motorbike. I also work from home a lot.

In all honesty, its a pain in the @rse but its something I've done in one form or another for the past 6 years. Also, after a bad day its not always a bad thing to sit in the car on your own for a bit and listen to some decent music. You do get used to it, its not fun but it is bearable. Also, doing what I do allows me to live in a house that I couldn't afford if I had a job in Suffolk and it also puts me nearer Swinley for riding. I also enjoy my job - Swings and Roundabouts....