Commute to work/job advice needed

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Have a job offer from another company. Honestly the job I'm at is pretty good except for the commute. I get paid well and treated fairly. The biggest downside is the commute to work. It is 56 miles one way with traffic in the afternoons that can be soul crushing. It really eats into my free time. The new job offer is 21 miles from the house and there is no traffic as it is all country roads with fairly high speed limits. I imagine a 20 min drive most days and 30 on the worst compared to 1hr to 1hr 15min now. Also money is about even. I'd actually get paid less at first for new job but after figuring the costs of the commute is basically break even money wise. I'm kinda torn because current job treats me well and I'm comfortable. Looking for a little atot input.

 

[rednas]

why not move closer to the job you have now?

 

[Lonyo]

Which one has the best future prospects, e.g. promotion etc?
That's what you should be looking at more than whether it's comfortable now, unless you don't have much ambition right now to move upwards.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

why not move closer to the job you have now?

I love where I live. Hometown. Wife works 10 minutes from home. Etc.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Which one has the best future prospects, e.g. promotion etc?
That's what you should be looking at more than whether it's comfortable now, unless you don't have much ambition right now to move upwards.

It's basically even in that regard. I'm a truck driver and I don't want to be anyone's boss.

 

[allisolm]

Is it possible for you to talk to any of the people who already work for the 2nd company to see how they feel about the working conditions/policies/bosses/etc. there?

 

[Eug]

When I looked for a house, one of the criteria was that it had to be within 30 minutes of work, in a city (Toronto) where commutes of an hour or much longer are common. The difference between 1.25 hours and 0.5 hours is HUGE, when you have to do the drive every single day. In fact, I'd take a pay cut if I could get a similar job with a 15 minute commute (and a nicer administration).

However, your current job sounds like a nice workplace. A nice workplace counts for a lot.

 

[bearxor]

I'd still look at future possibilities. I know you don't want to do it now, but in 10 years you might feel differently.

For me, if it would be a really easy transition, I'd take the job with the better commute, even for a small pay cut. An extra hour and a half of your day could be really invaluable.

But I'd also want to think about where I might be 10 years down the line.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Is it possible for you to talk to any of the people who already work for the 2nd company to see how they feel about the working conditions/policies/bosses/etc. there?

Good idea but I don't know anyone.

 

[NutBucket]

However, your current job sounds like a nice workplace. A nice workplace counts for a lot.

This is the biggest takeaway.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

If you're driving 50+ miles to work every day you can easily deduct $10,000 off your salary to get how much you actually make. That's just fuel, and maintenance on your car. How much is your time worth sitting in the car also? Even more money off your take home pay.

I went from driving 62 miles one way to work to 11 miles. I will never do that again.

 

[Kaido]

If you're driving 50+ miles to work every day you can easily deduct $10,000 off your salary to get how much you actually make. That's just fuel, and maintenance on your car. How much is your time worth sitting in the car also? Even more money off your take home pay.

I went from driving 62 miles one way to work to 11 miles. I will never do that again.

Yup. The commute is one of the reason I have left jobs in the past. I was spending 2 hours a day commuting at a prior location, even though it wasn't very far away, ~20 miles, but the traffic was horrendous. 30 minutes in the morning & then upwards of 1.5 hours home no matter what time you left. Literally 40 hours a month sitting in traffic.

On the plus side, I did get to listen to a lot of great audiobooks :awe:

 

[Koing]

When I looked for a house, one of the criteria was that it had to be within 30 minutes of work, in a city (Toronto) where commutes of an hour or much longer are common. The difference between 1.25 hours and 0.5 hours is HUGE, when you have to do the drive every single day. In fact, I'd take a pay cut if I could get a similar job with a 15 minute commute (and a nicer administration).

However, your current job sounds like a nice workplace. A nice workplace counts for a lot.

Use to work in London. A f0cking 2hr30min round trip!

Koing

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

A shorter commute is worth a lot. More time to do what you want and less stress.

 

[Imp]

Shorter commute is worth a lot, but so is a place of work you're comfortable with. The new place could be similar or better or worse, which is the gamble. Sounds like OP is tied to current location due to wife and good living location.

I'd kill for a shorter commute but my city is so damn expensive that moving closer would mean living paycheck to paycheck. Over the past week, I did some training at an office closer to home. What an absolute pleasure to be able to walk to work in 30 minutes versus walking and public transit taking an hour.

 

[JManInPhoenix]

Not a bad situation to be in - having to choose between two good options.

In my case, I would go for the closer job if all other factors are equal (initially less pay is offset by less travel as you stated).

 

[highland145]

What allisolm said. I know the drive sucks but it would suck worse if you don't like the new company. Did they seek you out? And you're smart enough to not burn any bridges.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Took the job with a shorter commute. I need my life back. Also tried not to burn the bridge but boss went into douche mode after being informed of my departure. Was going to give a week notice and they got none as I left early for the day and for good.

 

[highland145]

Took the job with a shorter commute. I need my life back. Also tried not to burn the bridge but boss went into douche mode after being informed of my departure. Was going to give a week notice and they got none as I left early for the day and for good.

Crap happens...wishing you the best.

 

[Mixolydian]

I personally would not want more than a 30-minute commute to or from work. but right now I'm spoiled cause it's only 15 mins.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Enjoy the extra time with the better commute. I used my new found time to take some classes to start a new career.