commute time vs Family time ?

Phugg_Innay · Post by **Phugg_Innay** » January 29, 2004, 11:27 am

I got this idea from the commute radio thread, and many discussions with the guys and gals at work.
What I would like to know is what is more important to YOU. Your time, or saving a hundred bucks and living Far away from work.
My philosophy has been easy. I will gladly Pay the extra to live in the town I work. It makes more sense to me to drive a couple mins and save all the wear and tear on a vehicle. The other argument is my time, I consider that to me a shitload more valuable to me.
In my case , I am a single dad raising a 9 yr old son. I would rather be at work for the 8hrs (+1-2 for overtime if needed) than drive for an hour each way and be gone 10-12 hrs. My son needs help with homework and such , and I just think my time with him more valuable than the $100-200 I would save in rent.
The other factor is the money spent on the commute ie: gas, tires, normal engine wear and so on. In my case its too expensive to commute. with gas at $1.69 and tires costing $950 (and the fact that I get about 10mpg) its would cost me more to save the rent money and put it into my vehicle.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » January 29, 2004, 11:55 am

we could have gotten our home for a bit less if we had moved further out.

but i like a 25 minute commute, and i like actually being close to the good stuff in the city (restaurants, etc).

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 29, 2004, 2:01 pm

It really depends on where you live. In north Jersey, it's expensive, but it's still way cheaper than trying to get anything in the city. However, even that's nothing compared to some of the people that commute from west jersey/pennsylvania each day. 90 minute each way minimum, that's absolutely not worth it. You can get a beautiful home out that way with a decent chunk of land to boot, but what's the point if you never see it

From our point of view, either my wife or I should be close to work. Since we can't really gaurantee both of us will be able to, it'll probably be me that gets the short commute as the wife must work in jersey city or manhattan if we decide to stay in this area altogether once our first is on the way.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 29, 2004, 2:11 pm

I much prefer to pay more, within reason of course, to live somewhere if it means a minimal commute. Only get one life so there's no reason to spend a large chunk of it sitting in your car in traffic. I walk to work. A little nippy in the winter but at least I'm not all stressed out after driving to work or when I get home.

Psyloche · Post by **Psyloche** » January 29, 2004, 2:12 pm

Aslanna wrote:I much prefer to pay more, within reason of course, to live somewhere if it means a minimal commute. Only get one life so there's no reason to spend a large chunk of it sitting in your car in traffic. I walk to work. A little nippy in the winter but at least I'm not all stressed out after driving to work or when I get home.

I'm jealous. I wish I could walk to work.. apart from saving money, the exercise would be really nice. Even if it meant walking in the snow storms during the winter, or the heat of the summer.

Spankes · Post by **Spankes** » January 29, 2004, 2:15 pm

I could have saved some money on my house if I wanted to triple my commute time....but I am already late to work every single day, so I am pretty sure I made the right choice~

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » January 29, 2004, 2:19 pm

lol spankes me too

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 29, 2004, 2:22 pm

Psyloche wrote:I'm jealous. I wish I could walk to work.. apart from saving money, the exercise would be really nice. Even if it meant walking in the snow storms during the winter, or the heat of the summer.

The snow doesn't bother me much but the rain could gtfo!

But you also bring up a point about saving money... I pay more in rent to live where I do but yeah, I only need to fill up my tank every 4 months. And wear and tear on my vehicle. So that offsets the higher cost of rent. People could, and do, easily spend $20 or more a week in gas.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » January 29, 2004, 2:35 pm

and vehicle maintenance and depreciation!

Rambler · Post by **Rambler** » January 29, 2004, 2:46 pm

Vehicle thing really wouldn't play a part to me. Mainly just the time in driving. 30 minutes and under would be fine, as long as traffic wasn't bad.

Anything past 30 minutes and it's a bit too long to drive twice a day.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » January 29, 2004, 2:49 pm

Better to live close

Rambler · Post by **Rambler** » January 29, 2004, 2:51 pm

Hmm... my further refined method of commuting would be living out in country, but working in a smaller city, not a huge city like Toronto.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » January 29, 2004, 3:08 pm

It also depends on your choice of lifestyle. I live in a small town about 40 miles outside of Toronto. My wife and I chose this town because we didnt want to raise our kids in The Big City.

Both of us grew up in Toronto and after 6 years in the country absolutely love the difference. I do understand the issue of time at home vs time commuting but if it is planned properly (ie missing the main rush hour) or if you have a job that permits you to work from home you can make the transistion to country living with a minimum of lost time with your family.

Fortunately for me I have a job like that and get to spend a great deal of time with my wife and kids.

Wear and tear on the car is another issue completely though ARGHHHH.
$6,000.00 in car repairs, tune ups, maintenance already this year.

Cheers

Post by **Xouqoa** » January 29, 2004, 3:35 pm

My commute is about .5 seconds, from bed to chair. (I work at home.)

You know you're jealous.

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » January 29, 2004, 3:57 pm

after commuting an hour each way for the past 2 years I'm starting to work from home in March, so Ha!

still I lose on this a bit since I need to hire a full time babysitter, but at least I'll get to stay indoors when it's ugly outside and spend more time with kids. My daughter went to daycare at 2.5 months old so I'm very much looking forward to seeing what I missed with my baby boy

Drasta · Post by **Drasta** » January 29, 2004, 11:33 pm

now the real question .. does ara cycle to work?

Fesuni Chopsui · Post by **Fesuni Chopsui** » January 29, 2004, 11:42 pm

Drasta!