Commuting to Work Question

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HealingTouch23

HealingTouch23

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I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?

Updated Questions:

Is it better to take a full time job far away from home or a part time job where you can live at home first?

I heard most apartments are 1 year leases, does that mean I can't transfer locations before the year ends? (if i dont want to waste money that is)
 
Last edited:
I personally couldn't sustain such a commute long term. I know several people that have done it, but yeccchh...

One floater I know has an RV, so he just travels to a store's area and parks for a week or two and then disappears, like a grimy Mary Poppins.

At least you'd get to catch up on any audiobooks or podcasts you've fallen behind on!
 
I mean I don't get it...do you have other options to choose from? Do you have bills to pay? Have saved money and can ride it out while you look for other jobs?
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?
Click to expand...
Each way or roundtrip?

Either way - you're working 50-60 hours for the price of 40.
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't do it. Think of it like this, you are spending 2 to 3 hours a day driving. The opportunity cost is huge, if you get paid 60 dollars an hour. You are losing 10k in lost time.
 
That would be terrible. I have a 25 minute commute (one way) and I hate it, and I hate seeing the miles add up on my car. Move closer.
 
DrVader said:
I wouldn't do it. Think of it like this, you are spending 2 to 3 hours a day driving. The opportunity cost is huge, if you get paid 60 dollars an hour. You are losing 10k in lost time.
Click to expand...

If the alternative is unemployment, wouldn't that negate the opportunity cost of the commute?
 
Hey everyone, thank you for the advice. I just drove there today to try it out. I think I'll have to look for an apartment around there. Should I wait till I find place before starting work or use a motel first and start work asap while searching for an apartment? (this is still speculation until I actually get the offer if i do)
 
Search for apartment just to see your options but don't sign any lease until you get a job offer and start working asap.
 
I had a 65 mile commute that was mostly open freeway. I loved it.

I now have a 6 mile commute of all city surface streets. Only takes 1/2 the time.

I almost miss my 8 hours a week of podcasts and books on tape. Now I have to make a more concerted effort to get the same amount of reading in.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
A more serious answer than the one I gave you last night:

Do you have any other job offers?
What is the pay/benefits of this job?
Is your vehicle in decent shape to do this daily commute? How much in student loans do you have?
Is this a retail or hospital gig? How important is it to you?

You need to list out all the pros and cons, from pay/benefits, potential car issues and costs, is this place paying you any drive-time mileage (doubtful, but ask)? etc
 
njac said:
I had a 65 mile commute that was mostly open freeway. I loved it.
I now have a 6 mile commute of all city surface streets. Only takes 1/2 the time.
I almost miss my 8 hours a week of podcasts and books on tape. Now I have to make a more concerted effort to get the same amount of reading in.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...

I used to drive about 40-50 minutes, and I'd always listen to the new Fantasy Fiction ™ podcast for the week
 
I know it’s bad for the environment, but I used to love a long commute. Driving makes you set everything else aside. It’s forced and unavoidable free time. What’s not to love.

I would take the job and just commute temporarily while I was looking for an closer apartment. Living out of a motel sounds like a nightmare. I suppose you could consider renting an Airbnb instead. At least then you would have a stove.
 
PharmDBro2017 said:
A more serious answer than the one I gave you last night:

Do you have any other job offers?
What is the pay/benefits of this job?
Is your vehicle in decent shape to do this daily commute? How much in student loans do you have?
Is this a retail or hospital gig? How important is it to you?

You need to list out all the pros and cons, from pay/benefits, potential car issues and costs, is this place paying you any drive-time mileage (doubtful, but ask)? etc
Click to expand...
I'm just speculating right now, still need to wait to see if I get offers. But I get the feeling that the far location will have full time while the other one will be closer to home but part time. I've received interview dates with both places, both are retail. My car is in good shape but I do have a lot of student loans.

I guess the biggest consideration I'm worried about is whether I can get full time.

Another question, let's say I get an apartment and work at the far location for a couple months but I have the chance to transfer closer. If my apartment lease is 1 year, would that mean I have to finish out the year working there because I can't leave the apartment?
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?
Click to expand...

You can only do this for so long after it gets tiring. Eventually you will need to move
 
HealingTouch23 said:
Another question, let's say I get an apartment and work at the far location for a couple months but I have the chance to transfer closer [to my parents' house where I live and want to continue living forever]. If my apartment lease is 1 year, would that mean I have to finish out the year working there because I can't leave the apartment?
Click to expand...

Gotta cut the cord some time...
It'll be hard at first and you'll make mistakes, but life's actually not that hard when you make as much money as we do.
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm just speculating right now, still need to wait to see if I get offers. But I get the feeling that the far location will have full time while the other one will be closer to home but part time. I've received interview dates with both places, both are retail. My car is in good shape but I do have a lot of student loans.

I guess the biggest consideration I'm worried about is whether I can get full time.

Another question, let's say I get an apartment and work at the far location for a couple months but I have the chance to transfer closer. If my apartment lease is 1 year, would that mean I have to finish out the year working there because I can't leave the apartment?
Click to expand...
 
Can you try to find a temporary place with zero or shorter rent contract? If not, there's always the option of subletting your place if you need to move out prior to the lease ends. It's a hassle, but it's doable.

That far of a commute is not worth it if you're not reimbursed for mileage. With that time spent behind the wheel, you can potentially pick up extra shifts... With the current job market, getting an offer is better than none. Find a temp place to rent near where your job is, an income is still better than no income.

Wish you the best!
 
My drive is like 25 minutes one way, but it's all highway driving and makes for an easy trip. I can get through a podcast or a few chapters in a audio book daily. Not bad at all.
 
croquemonsieur said:
Gotta cut the cord some time...
It'll be hard at first and you'll make mistakes, but life's actually not that hard when you make as much money as we do.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean. Independence is important. On the other hand, I wanted to be able to live either at home or a relatives house where I could get cheaper rent so I can pay off loans faster xp. But yes, I think its a great opportunity to move out too.
 
HealingTouch23 said:
Hey everyone, thank you for the advice. I just drove there today to try it out. I think I'll have to look for an apartment around there. Should I wait till I find place before starting work or use a motel first and start work asap while searching for an apartment? (this is still speculation until I actually get the offer if i do)
Click to expand...
It’s an apartment, not Pirate treasure....it shouldn’t take more than a week or so to lock one down. Don’t live in a hotel to avoid an hour drive, just solve the apartment problem quickly
 
If you needed to you, you could probably break your apartment contract.....forfeiting your down payment.
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?

Updated Questions:

Is it better to take a full time job far away from home or a part time job where you can live at home first?

I heard most apartments are 1 year leases, does that mean I can't transfer locations before the year ends? (if i dont want to waste money that is)
Click to expand...

Just move. you don't want to be commuting that much every day
 
20-30 mins is max commute, anything more will impact your happiness. It's is a scientific fact.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
I've noticed that anything more than 30 minutes severely decreases my morale at work. My current workplace is 12 minutes from home and I'm incredibly happy.
Click to expand...

The best is to own a independent and just live upstairs or in the back room. We are talking like a 30 second commute.
 
Some of my customers have questioned whether I live at my store or sleep in the back room. Needless to say you need to keep boundaries between work life & family life. I'd be too stressful for most RPh who are very often control freaks

I'll add Independence >>> paying off loans slightly faster by living at home under parents. You've just got to be frugal & strategic
 
HealingTouch23 said:
I'm a new grad and I'm looking into getting my first job. However, it's possible that I will be commuting 80 miles toward and back from work. Is it worth it? Should I just do it to gain experience first and then hopefully request a better location later on?

Updated Questions:

Is it better to take a full time job far away from home or a part time job where you can live at home first?

I heard most apartments are 1 year leases, does that mean I can't transfer locations before the year ends? (if i dont want to waste money that is)
Click to expand...

depends how long you are going to keep that post. I almost accepted a managers spot for ~ 77$ but would have been driving 120 miles round trip, could have moved but that town was a little too rough. I cannot reccomend driving more than half hour each way. that is an hour each shift...
 
That is too far to commute for my taste. I would move closer to work if I were you, rent an apt.

I have commuted an hour each way in the past and it was no fun. It made for long days. That is time you could be sleeping, exercising, time with kids and friends.

I commute 10-15 minutes now and it's great. More time with kids in evening and I exercise almost every morning. Translates to almost another 4hrs/week with family in evenings that I didn't have at my last job.
 
When first moving to a new job location check out extended stay motels. Even some motels that are not extended stay may offer you a break on a monthly rate. The caveat though is that depending on the area these types of motels may not be very safe.
 
uicgrad said:
When first moving to a new job location check out extended stay motels. Even some motels that are not extended stay may offer you a break on a monthly rate. The caveat though is that depending on the area these types of motels may not be very safe.
Click to expand...

I did this for my current job. I did not enjoy the experience to put it mildly. But it is a practical short-term option. If I were considering it again I would check out the place beforehand and make sure I felt safe/comfortable first.
 
owlegrad said:
I did this for my current job. I did not enjoy the experience to put it mildly. But it is a practical short-term option. If I were considering it again I would check out the place beforehand and make sure I felt safe/comfortable first.
Click to expand...

Air bnb may be a good option too, some will cut you a deal on extended stay.
 
Modest_anteater said:
The best is to own a independent and just live upstairs or in the back room. We are talking like a 30 second commute.
Click to expand...
I worked at an independent ~10 years ago and got an apartment upstairs, which I thought would be pretty cool - until I realized that the pharmacy phone rang literally all night and I could hear it as if it was right at my bedside.
 
owlegrad said:
I did this for my current job. I did not enjoy the experience to put it mildly. But it is a practical short-term option. If I were considering it again I would check out the place beforehand and make sure I felt safe/comfortable first.
Click to expand...
What made you feel unsafe? the constant flow of sex workers in and out of rooms?
 
There are several things to consider here.
1. Is this the only job available? If so, you're SOL and have to commute unless you plan on going on welfare or "waiting" for a better opportunity.
2. Is it safe for you to drive home after a shift, day after day? Can you physically handle the commute? Your car?
3. What happens in inclement weather?

Personally I would never drive 80 miles one way, but I haven't read this thread to see if it's 40 /40 or 80/80. The former is do-able... the latter, NFW.
 
100 mile daily commute back and forth. Only thing I got right now. Really don't understand why more students are going into this profession.
 
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