Would you Drive an extra hour+ a day for an $10K a year more

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Are you happy at your current place? Any ability to move-up there?

I would only do it if it created career growth opportunity b/c you'll probably hate the commute in short-time.

But being in Maine, I'm guessing you're used to having to travel to get to places.

I'm pretty happy, a bit worried about funding cuts, so it's a little less stable. Ironically I am given a company vehicle because I travel to every county in the state for my current job. Not much vertical growth opportunity here right now. Budget cuts again / smallish department (5 of us for the whole state).

Yeah, I think it might be okay in the summer, but the winter is going to stink.

Maybe I should take a shot at it? I don't really live in a state where the traffic would be a problem, which seems like what most of you dislike.

Where in Maine are you? I have good friends that lived in West Rockport, Camden and now Freedom. Whenever I visit, it's a drive to anything - food shopping in Belfast or the movies in Augusta.

Your longer commute wouldn't be bumper to bumper so it wouldn't be so bad. But yeah, in the winter it could suck big time.

If you take the job and like it, would your gf be willing to compromise and move a little closer to your new job?

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: takeru
i am actually in a similar situation. i commute by subway about 50-70min a day right now. but what if the difference was say... 30k more, and driving for 90-100min a day instead?

Hmm..maybe. I think I max out at 60 minutes each way.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Are you happy at your current place? Any ability to move-up there?

I would only do it if it created career growth opportunity b/c you'll probably hate the commute in short-time.

But being in Maine, I'm guessing you're used to having to travel to get to places.

I'm pretty happy, a bit worried about funding cuts, so it's a little less stable. Ironically I am given a company vehicle because I travel to every county in the state for my current job. Not much vertical growth opportunity here right now. Budget cuts again / smallish department (5 of us for the whole state).

Yeah, I think it might be okay in the summer, but the winter is going to stink.

Maybe I should take a shot at it? I don't really live in a state where the traffic would be a problem, which seems like what most of you dislike.

Where in Maine are you? I have good friends that lived in West Rockport, Camden and now Freedom. Whenever I visit, it's a drive to anything - food shopping in Belfast or the movies in Augusta.

Your longer commute wouldn't be bumper to bumper so it wouldn't be so bad. But yeah, in the winter it could suck big time.

If you take the job and like it, would your gf be willing to compromise and move a little closer to your new job?

Actually right in Bangor. I live there so I don't have to drive just to get things done. It's a beautiful state really, though I don't care for snow so much, I like the wildlife, and all the waterfronts.

I think..maybe if I liked it, we could move close enough to cut the commute to 15-20 minutes for each of us...I guess that would be ideal. She'd probably need a new car then / spend more on maint.

 

[Kaspian]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Unless this new job gives you some additional experience that could further bump your salary a year or two down the road, I definitely wouldn't take it.

 

[Aikouka]

No.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: TruePaige
I know there was a similar thread a while back, with a smaller distance, and a lot more cash, so this one feels more on edge, and I am curious.

A job is open that adds about 30-40 minutes each way to the commute, but at minimum pays at least 10k more.

Would you take it? Or am I going to feel burnt out from being gone 10 hours for each 8 hour workday, and not be able to be as happy as my current 15 minute commute?

How is traffic on this route? Can you move closer to the job?

I've done a 70 mile round trip commute before and it pretty much sucked ass. It took me at least an hour to drive the 35 miles one way but in bad traffic it could easily take 2 hours one way. I put 25,000 miles on my car in one year at that job until I started car pooling with a couple co-workers 3 days a week and taking the train/riding my bicycle every Friday.

I got a job working 10 miles from home now (been with this company for 5 years now). Much less stress and a better quality of life FTMFW!!!

 

[BurnItDwn]

I would only take it if the area near the job was worth living in and worth moving to. Most likely it's not since I love where I live.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Being all the way up in Bangor, companies and jobs are pretty spread out so having to commute a distance is pretty normal. Would you still have a state car to drive? At least you don't have to worry about wear and tear or maintenance.

 

[kranky]

Is the retirement match at 100%?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: takeru
i am actually in a similar situation. i commute by subway about 50-70min a day right now. but what if the difference was say... 30k more, and driving for 90-100min a day instead?

First off... driving is going to be more expensive than riding the subway. Not only will you be filling up your tank at least two times a week, you're going to be needing a lot more car maintenance.

Secondly, you spend 50-70 minutes on the subway or waiting for the trains to come... do you feel like you have an extra 20-30 minutes that you don't care about in the day?

One of the kickers here is that while you are on the subway you can still do things, read the paper or a book, play a game or something... while driving you have to be pretty focused.

30k more might be worth it, but 30k more would also be worth completely relocating for.

 

[lozina]

I wouldn't do it.

My commute is about 9 minutes from my garage door to sitting at my desk at the office.

No way in hell would I want to increase that by half an hour each way

I go home for lunch and sometimes I even run home to fetch something or do something real quick

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
No.

this.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: kranky
Is the retirement match at 100%?

Yep! After 3 years, it's over 100%.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Descartes
Unless this new job gives you some additional experience that could further bump your salary a year or two down the road, I definitely wouldn't take it.

Hmm, would probably look good on my resume to be Information Systems Coordinator.


Oh, and to anyone wondering why I'd go from VA to ME, remember..

Love > Money. =D

I have no idea what the position would entail, but if it involves being "on call" or being the person that has to come reboot a server if something F's up, frequent weekend work or anything like that, I'd forget it.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

I drive 5 miles to get to work. Like fuck would I add an hour on.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Being all the way up in Bangor, companies and jobs are pretty spread out so having to commute a distance is pretty normal. Would you still have a state car to drive? At least you don't have to worry about wear and tear or maintenance.

Companies and jobs are pretty spread, and like I said, this state isn't really a high tech state, so you have to weigh your options carefully. =)

I would not at this job sadly...so it is an extra strain on my car. I get 28/32 MPG though, so gas isn't a huge worry.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: TruePaige
I know there was a similar thread a while back, with a smaller distance, and a lot more cash, so this one feels more on edge, and I am curious.

A job is open that adds about 30-40 minutes each way to the commute, but at minimum pays at least 10k more.

Would you take it? Or am I going to feel burnt out from being gone 10 hours for each 8 hour workday, and not be able to be as happy as my current 15 minute commute?

How is traffic on this route? Can you move closer to the job?

I've done a 70 mile round trip commute before and it pretty much sucked ass. It took me at least an hour to drive the 35 miles one way but in bad traffic it could easily take 2 hours one way. I put 25,000 miles on my car in one year at that job until I started car pooling with a couple co-workers 3 days a week and taking the train/riding my bicycle every Friday.

I got a job working 10 miles from home now (been with this company for 5 years now). Much less stress and a better quality of life FTMFW!!!

It's a pretty light route, occasional tourists in the summer, otherwise pretty dead.

Maybe after a while I could move closer.

I'd be pretty close to what you had, except with very low traffic, so not as much to worry about, I figured maybe some books on tape would make it go by fast.

Glad to hear things worked out so well for you! =)

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Descartes
Unless this new job gives you some additional experience that could further bump your salary a year or two down the road, I definitely wouldn't take it.

Hmm, would probably look good on my resume to be Information Systems Coordinator.


Oh, and to anyone wondering why I'd go from VA to ME, remember..

Love > Money. =D

I have no idea what the position would entail, but if it involves being "on call" or being the person that has to come reboot a server if something F's up, frequent weekend work or anything like that, I'd forget it.

I would stab someone if I had to come in to reboot a server. Or maybe not. You get paid a lot to come in when you're on on-call.

Most equipment has Remote Access Controllers though, so I doubt that'd happen.

It's mostly for an educational facility so things are pretty dead when no one is there.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Being all the way up in Bangor, companies and jobs are pretty spread out so having to commute a distance is pretty normal. Would you still have a state car to drive? At least you don't have to worry about wear and tear or maintenance.

Companies and jobs are pretty spread, and like I said, this state isn't really a high tech state, so you have to weigh your options carefully. =)

I would not at this job sadly...so it is an extra strain on my car. I get 28/32 MPG though, so gas isn't a huge worry.

That sucks about losing the state car. Have you interviewed and met your new boss/co-workers? Is the department bigger than your current one? From the size of your current one, it sounds like it could be a dead-end job at a measly $25k.

If you think you'll like this new job, you can always move a little closer. Though, if you moved closer, would that take you out of Bangor in the total boonies? The $10k is a lot based on what you're currently making.

I think a lot of people that are responding don't realize what your commuting/job opportunities are like being in Bangor, Maine.

 

[JImmyK]

I should probably have spent more time reading the other posts but try not to always look at money just $ wise. Look at the percentage increase it can put it into more relative terms a 5% increase doesnt really change your quality or standard of living but a 50% change can mix things up quite drastically.

For many people 5% can still be a 20K difference but at that earning level it doesnt change much, while 50% for some could still be 20K and it would change things quite a bit!

All of the above is short term - far far far more important is long term goals and incentives (pension plans, 401K, if they have pension/401K how long does it take to get vested) and as I said earlier the most important is growth!

Take 2 friends of mine both from VA Tech exact same majors (finance) around 2001.

Friend A decided to stick with her summer job which was working at the MAC makeup counter in Tysons Corner making almost 50K Friend B took a help desk role because he was good with computers and couldnt find a finance job - started for 34K (he was a bit flaky academically so not the best candidate)

Ill map out their progression for the next 6-7 years.

Friend A
50K 2001
51.5K 2002
53K 2003
55K 2004
56.5K 2005
57K 2006
She married a rich guy and no longer works

Friend B
34K 2001
36K 2002
42k +10K bonus got a role as a jr finance analyst 2003
47K +10K bonus 2004 (he was low end of pay grade so his increases are materially higher)
Fast Forward to last year
78K w/bonus - fully vested - full pension - company matching 6% 401K

That difference would have forked far greater as time progressed.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Being all the way up in Bangor, companies and jobs are pretty spread out so having to commute a distance is pretty normal. Would you still have a state car to drive? At least you don't have to worry about wear and tear or maintenance.

Companies and jobs are pretty spread, and like I said, this state isn't really a high tech state, so you have to weigh your options carefully. =)

I would not at this job sadly...so it is an extra strain on my car. I get 28/32 MPG though, so gas isn't a huge worry.

That sucks about losing the state car. Have you interviewed and met your new boss/co-workers? Is the department bigger than your current one? From the size of your current one, it sounds like it could be a dead-end job at a measly $25k.

If you think you'll like this new job, you can always move a little closer. Though, if you moved closer, would that take you out of Bangor in the total boonies? The $10k is a lot based on what you're currently making.

I think a lot of people that are responding don't realize what your commuting/job opportunities are like being in Bangor, Maine.

Thanks for understanding, Capt. Caveman.

I know most people that have responded think the wages are crappy, and sure if I wanted to make 50k I could move back down to Northern Virginia and get a job right now. But I'm trying to put myself through school, and work my way up the ladder here.

It wouldn't toss me into the boonies completely, but I'd have to drive like 5-10 minutes to see a McDonalds, for example.

Yeah, it's a good pay boost, and I enjoy new opportunities to improve myself. The extra money would come in handy this winter I'm sure. =)

I appreciate all the helpful replies from all of you so far.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: JImmyK
I should probably have spent more time reading the other posts but try not to always look at money just $ wise. Look at the percentage increase it can put it into more relative terms a 5% increase doesnt really change your quality or standard of living but a 50% change can mix things up quite drastically.

For many people 5% can still be a 20K difference but at that earning level it doesnt change much, while 50% for some could still be 20K and it would change things quite a bit!

All of the above is short term - far far far more important is long term goals and incentives (pension plans, 401K, if they have pension/401K how long does it take to get vested) and as I said earlier the most important is growth!

Take 2 friends of mine both from VA Tech exact same majors (finance) around 2001.

Friend A decided to stick with her summer job which was working at the MAC makeup counter in Tysons Corner making almost 50K Friend B took a help desk role because he was good with computers and couldnt find a finance job - started for 34K (he was a bit flaky academically so not the best candidate)

Ill map out their progression for the next 6-7 years.

Friend A
50K 2001
51.5K 2002
53K 2003
55K 2004
56.5K 2005
57K 2006
She married a rich guy and no longer works

Friend B
34K 2001
36K 2002
42k +10K bonus got a role as a jr finance analyst 2003
47K +10K bonus 2004 (he was low end of pay grade so his increases are materially higher)
Fast Forward to last year
78K w/bonus - fully vested - full pension - company matching 6% 401K

That difference would have forked far greater as time progressed.

Nice post. Friend A must of married a really rich guy too,eh?

It is something to think about, career opportunities can sometimes be worth the hassle.

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Aikouka
No.

this.

That

Not sure, but you may be talking about a thread I started a while back. I didn't take the job, the commute would have been pure hell.

This one?

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: JImmyK

Friend A
50K 2001
51.5K 2002
53K 2003
55K 2004
56.5K 2005
57K 2006
She married a rich guy and no longer works

Friend B
34K 2001
36K 2002
42k +10K bonus got a role as a jr finance analyst 2003
47K +10K bonus 2004 (he was low end of pay grade so his increases are materially higher)
Fast Forward to last year
78K w/bonus - fully vested - full pension - company matching 6% 401K

That difference would have forked far greater as time progressed.

The lesson here is:

Find a rich spouse.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Aikouka
No.

this.

That

Not sure, but you may be talking about a thread I started a while back. I didn't take the job, the commute would have been pure hell.

This one?

Oh yeah..heh, you were in a boat much more similar to myself than I thought. =)