How far do you commute?

[ocean24]

Possible job offer an hour away and no chance I could move. Worth it? The pay is decent.

[pisces2473]

*Paging CTGirl*

I work about 30 miles from home, and it's about 20-25 min. ride.

[WorkInProgress]

Depends on whether you can stand that commute and whether the pay raise a)covers your new commuting costs and b)gives you a little left over. And if it's a better job that the one you have. And, and, and.

I currently commute 20-25 minutes in the opposite direction of rush hour. It will soon be 30-40 because my office is moving. I think that'll be about my limit (insofar as it's doable) and I'm considering moving considerably closer to cut my commute time, but that depends on a lot of things.

[wordsmith]

A block and a half. I've never had a job more than a few miles from where I live and prefer it that way.

[CTGirl]

*Paging CTGirl*


lol, *bows*

I commute 55 miles each way to my new job, and thanks to traffic here, that takes me between an hour and 15minutes to 3 hours each way depending on the time of day and how many people decided to crash into something that day.

But, I LOVE my new job, so I deal, and when my lease is up in a couple months, I'll move closer.

[ocean24]

A block and a half. I've never had a job more than a few miles from where I live and prefer it that way.

So you just walk to work everyday? That must be nice! I can't imagine that...everything around here is pretty spread out so driving at least some distance is a must.

[wordsmith]

No, I have to have my car handy, because I work for a newspaper and have a lot of driving over a three-county area for coverage, all of which is pretty remote and spread out. But my office is within view of my living room.

[SmilesSoSweet]

There was a time that I was living a good 30 miles from my job, but it was over an hour long to get there (one way) due to the traffic. Going home was even worse.

So when you say an hour away, is it a good 60+ miles? I'm just used to measuring distance by time, not miles.

Currently when there isn't any traffic, I'm a good 10-15 minutes from work (one way). It's six miles from my apartment to my office.

[Kitty]

For me, it's not. I commuted for about 2 years and won't ever do it again. The commute was about an hour or an hour and a half depending on traffic. I seriously had breakdowns in my car.

My commute now is only about 10 minutes now.

[wordsmith]

It would seriously hinder my quality of life. Even for my more remote coverage, I never drive more than an hour one way, and even that's not a regular thing. At most, I'm flitting around within a 20-mile radius on a regular basis.

That's the main reason I have to work in places with affordable COLs. I need to be able to live where I work.

[ocean24]

There was a time that I was living a good 30 miles from my job, but it was over an hour long to get there (one way) due to the traffic. Going home was even worse.

So when you say an hour away, is it a good 60+ miles? I'm just used to measuring distance by time, not miles.

Currently when there isn't any traffic, I'm a good 10-15 minutes from work (one way). It's six miles from my apartment to my office.


Mapquest says 45 minutes, but that would be without traffic. So I would say an hour, especially since this freeway is notorious for traffic.

[Kitty]

Are you a patient person? I am not and that's one of my biggest hells with commuting in traffic. I just go insane and feel like I'm wasting my life sitting in a car, inching forward, wanting to scream.

[ocean24]

Are you a patient person? I am not and that's one of my biggest hells with commuting in traffic. I just go insane and feel like I'm wasting my life sitting in a car, inching forward, wanting to scream.

I'm really not a patient person, but it could almost be a good time to unwind. I'm an early-riser, so the commute there might not be horrible. The commute home, however, could be frustrating.
There really aren't any opportunities like this in my area, so I might have to take a chance.

[PenforPrez]

My commute is just under 30 minutes right now. Of course, I now work in the town I attended college in, and I drove back and forth daily for four years doing that. So it's a drive I know very well. :)

Paul

[capella]

I've commuted before and it was complete hell. My first real job out of college was about a 90 minute to 2 hour drive each way depending on how traffic was. It was 60 miles, but the traffic on any major highway in the DC metro area is insane.

I moved closer for a while and it was 45 to an hour. That still sucked.

Then I moved here and when I lived in my apartment it was about 15 minutes to work. Then I moved to my house and it was a hour each way (or more in the morning). This was a drive that should take maybe 30 minutes without traffic. I concur with Kitty's assessment of commuting. Inching and rolling forward a little more each minute is infuriating. I had lots of breakdowns.

I did that commute for a year and a half. I, too, thought that it would be a time to unwind, but all it really did was stress me out because I just wanted to be home already. I was exhausted and really didn't feel like dealing with assholes on the road.

I tried leaving earlier, but I would have had to leave at 5 am to miss the traffic and I didn't need to be at work until 8:30. I would have been at work before the building was even open (it opened at 7 am). Plus I still would have had to work until 4 and drive home in traffic. The traffic is getting worse each month here with all the growth.

Now, I drive 2.5 miles and about 7-8 minutes. I need to work close to where I live. I am just not OK with commuting. It's really more of a personal preference.

[vxmike]

Job #1 is less than 1/4 mile from my apt so I walk everyday.

Job #2 is 12.5 miles away and takes me about 25 minutes each way.

[ocean24]

Thanks so much for all of the input. I guess I will do the old pros/cons list and see if there is any possibility of moving closer in a few months before deciding.

[Spinney]

My first real job was downtown Vancouver but with the pay I was getting anywhere "close" that I could afford I didn't feel very comfortable / safe in. If it was in a non-scuzzy area, close and in my budget it was little more than a closet. I ended up living in North Van which was a lot more like the area I grew up in but the commute was about an hour each way.

Luckily it was an "easy" commute, because the bus stopped right by my building and took me to the seabus, which got me across the water and directly onto the skytrain, which got me to about 4 blocks from work heh. I don't think I could handle 2 hours of rush hour traffic every day. I'm exhausted around 5:30pm and traffic is the last thing I want to deal with.

Edit: Oh yeah...now I live about a 10 minute walk from work :D

[J-girl]

anywhere from 30-45-55 minutes. Not bad but my last job was an hour train ride which I REALLY miss. I could READ on the train listen to music, take a nap. Seriously it was a mini vacation.

I hate driving with a burning passion. Toronto drivers are a-holes.

[cache]

lI commute 55 miles each way to my new job, and thanks to traffic here, that takes me between an hour and 15minutes to 3 hours each way depending on the time of day and how many people decided to crash into something that day.

That's funny. All the accidents that slow me down are from people staring at the ocean. "Oh look! WATER!"

[Xander]

6-10 minutes from my room to my office. How much will transportation cost? How much time does that take (how much do you make an hour post-tax)? Add that up per day, times an entire month of commuting. Does that outweigh the increased cost of living next to work? If so, move. If not, it might not be worth moving.

...that's how I did it.

[spokes]

i am about 30 k from work.

it takes me an hour on the bus (each way)
an hour by bicycle (each way)
an hour by car/train (each way)
it would take me about 25-45 minutes if i drive to work - which is a rare treat thanks to the price of parking in this city.

i'd like to move to cut down my commute (when i am not biking) - but i am now somewhat committed to living out in the burbs.

[yankeeyosh]

Forty five minutes, although it's usually longer in the evening when I have to wait for the bus (or I miss said bus and have to walk home) after an insufferable 'T' ride.

If I'm staying in boston or going to cambridge or somerville in the evening, and I drive to the station, usually it's only forty minutes.

[wordsmith]

I should probably note that I don't mind a long drive at all, as long as it's not trafficky. Where I live, there is no traffic, none. Even if I worked an hour away, it would be an open highway to get here, no sitting in traffic. That's the part I couldn't tolerate.

[CTGirl]

That's funny. All the accidents that slow me down are from people staring at the ocean. "Oh look! WATER!"

Yeah, we get that sometimes too, with the sound, people are so silly :rolleyes:

So wow, people are suffering "breakdowns" in their cars just cuz of a long commute? That's crazy. I dont really have a problem with my commute, I blast my music and sing along with it like an idiot ( I get a lot of stares from otehr drivers), plus I actually enjoy driving (I think its an inherited condition, lol) so sometimes I'm almost bummed when I finally reach my destination. It is of course easier in the morning than the evening, cuz by the time I am going home I'm usually pretty worn out.

Like others have said, it's all about your personal preferences, and of course the well-being of your poor car.

[winneythepooh7]

I take the LIRR to work. It's just under an hour each way. It's not a big deal really. I usually sleep or read a book and it goes by fast. Plus you are allowed to drink on the train. I'd much prefer to take the LIRR then drive into the city. Which I actually have to do today because a co-worker and I have to go Upstate to do intakes.

[WorkInProgress]

I dont really have a problem with my commute, I blast my music and sing along with it like an idiot ( I get a lot of stares from otehr drivers)

That's what I do too, which I like. The only issue I have with my soon to be longer commute is that it bumps my morning rountine even earlier, and I'd rather be sleeping. And, I while there are people on the road with me, it's NOT the stop and go of "normal" commuting, which I despise. Given a choice between a little bit longer commute in moving traffic and a little bit shorter one in stop & go, I'd MUCH rather go a little longer.

[CTGirl]

That's what I do too, which I like. The only issue I have with my soon to be longer commute is that it bumps my morning rountine even earlier, and I'd rather be sleeping. And, I while there are people on the road with me, it's NOT the stop and go of "normal" commuting, which I despise. Given a choice between a little bit longer commute in moving traffic and a little bit shorter one in stop & go, I'd MUCH rather go a little longer.

Yeah, I leave my house at 6 every morning in an effort to avoid most of the other commuters, but I still get stuck in the stop and go nonsense even at that hour. It is better though, and for me, its worth getting up early for a 1 hour commute instead of 2 hours.

[spiritedaway]

Haha, me too! I love driving too and don't mind the commute, unless I am in a hurry (ie running late for a meeting). I drive to work, I drive home from work, I drive out for lunch whenever I can (and listen to music, another one of my favorite things to do). In fact, my brother and I sometimes fight over who gets to drive when we go places, but I usually let him.

plus I actually enjoy driving (I think its an inherited condition, lol) so sometimes I'm almost bummed when I finally reach my destination. It is of course easier in the morning than the evening, cuz by the time I am going home I'm usually pretty worn out.

Like others have said, it's all about your personal preferences, and of course the well-being of your poor car.

[kaution81]

i commute about 5 -7 miles and it takes me 45 min to an hour door to door

[blueyes]

Going to work is anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes.

Getting home is a total crap-shoot: anywhere from 5 - 45 minutes.

[old_school_soul]

8 minute walk to the subway, 8 minute train ride, 5 minute walk to work. An hour is not a bad commute if you aren't driving! No way I could handle an hour each way driving. I'd go nutso. Specially with DC traffic.

[LakeJay]

With my new place, no more than 15 minutes but I only live 4 miles away from work.

[EmberMae]

I'm 14 miles from work. It takes about 45 mins to an hour. Now that I've learned all the shortcuts, it's closer to the 45 minute mark. It wouldn't be bad if it weren't for the traffic. The wednesday before thanksgiving it took less than 30 minutes. I hate commuting though, I really do feel like I'm wasting my life. I plan to move closer if I'm still at this job when my lease expires in August, but there's a limit to how close I can really be because my fiance's job and mine aren't that close and we have to split the difference as best we can. If we had a train or something and i could read, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but public transportation is virtually nonexistant here.

[kaution81]

i commute about 5 -7 miles and it takes me 45 min to an hour door to door


oh i should clarify that im not driving..its a walk to one "train station" ..about a 10 min ride then switch to the PATH train which is another 10 or 15 minutes..then a 10-15 walk

[capella]

So wow, people are suffering "breakdowns" in their cars just cuz of a long commute? That's crazy.
I don't really think it's so out there to be extremely frustrated sitting in traffic. It's not the time thing that bothers me. It's the roll and inch, sit, roll and inch, sit, roll an inch, sit, repeat ad nauseum that makes me crazy. It's the constant grind of it each and every day that made me want to punch the steering wheel and scream.

I HATE sitting in traffic. All I can do is think about all the crap I need to be getting done, but I can't because I'm sitting in traffic. It's sucking my life away from me and it's time I will never get back. I don't think there is much that would convince me to commute again. Probably not even a million dollars. :rolleyes: And there were a few days when it was so bad that I might not be in my classroom when the bell rang. That is extremely frustrating. Nothing like a no-show teacher.

[coll214]

On a normal day, it takes me a half hour if i'm lucky--- no highway, so if i'm stuck behind one horse trailer, 18 buses, or a state trooper it may be a wee bit longer. Or like today b/c of a wee bit of snow an HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. I finished a magazine, called multiple people to bitch... but i wasn't the only one. Going home it may be a bit longer, say 40 minutes.

[arrow]

45-50 minutes door-to-door, from middle of Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan. It's a pain in the a**, too, because very often I can't get a seat, and it's in the middle of rush hour so I have to contiually dodge people or get hit when I'm coming in. Sometimes I'm in such a bad mood when I get to work b/c of the commute that it takes me the first half-hour to just calm down and focus. Grrr

Alright, enough complaining.

[Kitty]

So wow, people are suffering "breakdowns" in their cars just cuz of a long commute? That's crazy.

Just because YOU don't mind commuting, doesn't mean that other people absolutely hate it. :rolleyes:

[arrow]

oh i should clarify that im not driving..its a walk to one "train station" ..about a 10 min ride then switch to the PATH train which is another 10 or 15 minutes..then a 10-15 walk

Hey, at least you get a lot of walking in your day. I hope your wait for the PATH isn't outdoors.

[WorkInProgress]

Just because YOU don't mind commuting, doesn't mean that other people absolutely hate it. :rolleyes:

I think the "crazy" bit was about the breakdowns.

[analogman]

I live one 1 block from work. I also commute an hour each way to graduate school three days a week and it's not fun. I spend more time commuting than in class.

[Kitty]

I think the "crazy" bit was about the breakdowns.

Yeah, which stem from my absolute HATRED of driving and commuting, especially on a daily basis. It seriously affects my quality of life.

[coll214]

I LOVE to drive and have hopped in the car on many occasions for a road trip, but I HATE, LOATHE, and DESPISE rush hour traffic. It's just different.

[capella]

I think the "crazy" bit was about the breakdowns.
Still, it was judging what someone else should be feeling. I don't think it's crazy at all to be aggravated to a want to cry, scream, hit things kind of breakdown from being stuck in the car for over an hour. It's not anyone else's place to say what I should feel during a commute. I didn't turn around and say, Gee, you like your commute! That's crazy!

I quit my job to get one closer to home because it drove me to tears some days. I can't think of anything more stressful than facing an hour commute in stop and go traffic after you've already put in a long day and had a long commute in the morning too.

[MollyM]

About 25-30 minutes.

Traffic is really not bad.

[Kitty]

Still, it was judging what someone else should be feeling. I don't think it's crazy at all to be aggravated to a want to cry, scream, hit things kind of breakdown from being stuck in the car for over an hour. It's not anyone else's place to say what I should feel during a commute. I didn't turn around and say, Gee, you like your commute! That's crazy!

I quit my job to get one closer to home because it drove me to tears some days. I can't think of anything more stressful than facing an hour commute in stop and go traffic after you've already put in a long day and had a long commute in the morning too.

Yup, agree. I also moved closer to my job becasue I hated it that much.

[arrow]

Yup, agree. I also moved closer to my job becasue I hated it that much.


I think many of use would do that if we could afford it!

[Skyblade]

My commute is about 35-40 miles. There is a lot of traffic because many people commute from Ventura to Santa Barbara due to the cost of living. I usually don't mind it because I take a commuter bus that costs $1.80 each way. The only downside is I have to wake up early because the bus leaves at 6:20am and I get to the office around 7:20am. Going home takes a bit longer because there are more stops I get on the bus around 4:40pm and get home at 6:00pm.

[Kitty]

I think many of use would do that if we could afford it!

The cost of commuting equaled the increase in rent for me. So, it all balanced out in the end.

[labrat2111]

I should probably note that I don't mind a long drive at all, as long as it's not trafficky. Where I live, there is no traffic, none. Even if I worked an hour away, it would be an open highway to get here, no sitting in traffic. That's the part I couldn't tolerate.

I used to have to commute 30 minutes with minimal traffic and now do 20 minutes with a little more traffic. However in the spring I'm moving in with the g/f and that will stretch my commute to 30-45 minutes. What makes it manageable is that my job is right off of interstate 81 so most of the drive is on the interstate with light to moderate traffic. I figure driving the extra distance is worth the salary I'm making at my job and the experience I'm getting. Plus by doing this my g/f can keep her job with the state which pays pretty well and is a stable job in case I should ever lose mine. And if I can't deal with the commute in 2-3 years I can find another job with my experience.

[Xander]

Are you guys counting time by door-to-door, or just time spent in the car/bus/etc.?

[WorkInProgress]

Are you guys counting time by door-to-door, or just time spent in the car/bus/etc.?

I'm counting door to door. It doesn't matter to me how it breaks down (interstate driving vs state roads, etc.).

[CTGirl]

Still, it was judging what someone else should be feeling. I don't think it's crazy at all to be aggravated to a want to cry, scream, hit things kind of breakdown from being stuck in the car for over an hour. It's not anyone else's place to say what I should feel during a commute. I didn't turn around and say, Gee, you like your commute! That's crazy!


Oh please, I'm not judging how you're feeling, relax :rolleyes:

I was trying to say that the fact that you have a commute so bad that it causes "breakdowns" is crazy.

Perhaps you're the one judging me unfairly cuz you misinterpreted what I posted as something offensive.

[winneythepooh7]

I agree that commuting can be extremely stressful and costly. I think more often than not, commuters eventually end up looking for something a little closer to home. A lot of times, taking a paycut even, because usually it evens out after factoring in commuting costs.

And I would go into road rage if I had to drive into Manhattan daily. This is why I count my blessings that I am the first and last stop on the LIRR.........I always get a seat. I can tell though that the people who get on after me who don't get a seat though are super-pissy.

[capella]

Oh please, I'm not judging how you're feeling, relax :rolleyes:

I was trying to say that the fact that you have a commute so bad that it causes "breakdowns" is crazy.

Perhaps you're the one judging me unfairly cuz you misinterpreted what I posted as something offensive.

Wow. I am not trying to be rude here, but I think you have a problem with discounting other people's feelings. No one has the right to tell me how I should react to something, messageboard or in RL. I was also NOT the only one who "misinterpreted" what you were trying to say.

Anyhow, it is a messageboard afterall and I can't see your expression or hear your tone of voice. But I certainly wouldn't walk around telling people to "relax" and roll my eyes at them. That's a little immature.

Frankly, I don't know you and I really don't care whether you think that's "crazy" or not. But I'd hazard the advice to be careful how flippant you are about other people's feelings. It might bite you in the long run. Just sayin'.

[winneythepooh7]

Oh please, I'm not judging how you're feeling, relax :rolleyes:

I was trying to say that the fact that you have a commute so bad that it causes "breakdowns" is crazy.

Perhaps you're the one judging me unfairly cuz you misinterpreted what I posted as something offensive.


I think you are being extremely harsh. Commuting combined with work-related stress can cause people to have a breakdown. I've been there. And I don't consider myself "crazy". I wasn't committed or anything, but I also was not in a happy, healthy place.

[SpaceMonkey]

I walk 2 miles. It takes me about 40 minutes.

[yankeeyosh]

Wow. I am not trying to be rude here, but I think you have a problem with discounting other people's feelings. No one has the right to tell me how I should react to something, messageboard or in RL. I was also NOT the only one who "misinterpreted" what you were trying to say.

Anyhow, it is a messageboard afterall and I can't see your expression or hear your tone of voice. But I certainly wouldn't walk around telling people to "relax" and roll my eyes at them. That's a little immature.

Frankly, I don't know you and I really don't care whether you think that's "crazy" or not. But I'd hazard the advice to be careful how flippant you are about other people's feelings. It might bite you in the long run. Just sayin'.

Agreed. I hate traffic jams, and it I get flustered even when it's just a ten minute commute. Even when I'm on the 'T', I'm fuming when there's a delay (although most of the time, I think I hide it well enough so people don't stare at me).

[WorkInProgress]

I was also NOT the only one who "misinterpreted" what you were trying to say.

Really not looking to get in the middle of this, but I was surprised that anyone interpreted what she said about the commute being crazy to mean that the person making the commute is crazy.

[capella]

Well, Kitty did, too. And I don't think either of us are unintelligent.

"So wow, people are suffering "breakdowns" in their cars just cuz of a long commute? That's crazy. "

That is a demonstrative pronoun and I don't think it's a stretch to think the "that" in "that's crazy" would refer to the noun "breakdowns" and not the noun "commute." Besides there was extra derision with the use of quotation marks.

Again, I can only infer what I've read because I couldn't take any non-verbal cues in deciphering the intended message here. But the fact that she went on to further deride what I supposedly "misinterpreted" and tell me to "relax" when I wasn't all that attacking in responding the the comment is even more annoying. All I'm saying is that if you meant wow, that's some commute! then that's what you should say. Not throw in a qualifying, judgement word like "crazy."

I do realize I'm being pretty nitpicky here. But I don't think her comment was clear and I think it could be interpreted as being quite rude. And I didn't think she said the person commuting was crazy. I took it as having a "breakdown" over a commute is crazy. But whatever.

[CTGirl]

Really not looking to get in the middle of this, but I was surprised that anyone interpreted what she said about the commute being crazy to mean that the person making the commute is crazy.

Thank you :)

I apologize if you thought I was insulting your character or putting you down for whatever it is you're feeling, that was not my intention.

If I had intended to be a bitch and say that you guys were crazy for having "breakdowns" due to your commutes, I would have said "you're crazy" instead of "that's crazy" but I could spend hours here trying to clarify what I meant and how you misinterpreted it, but that would not change the fact that you think I'm rude and harsh to you. The bottom line here is that these are just words on a messageboard, and it's not that big a deal. I'm also sorry that I hurt your feelings again when I said that over-reacting to your misinterpretation of my words was silly and using the rolling eyes smiley face.

In the future, if I say something that you take offense to, I would appreciate you getting clarification on what it was I meant rather than assuming I had intended to put you down, which has actually never been the case here.

[capella]

Thank you :)

I apologize if you thought I was insulting your character or putting you down for whatever it is you're feeling, that was not my intention.

If I had intended to be a bitch and say that you guys were crazy for having "breakdowns" due to your commutes, I would have said "you're crazy" instead of "that's crazy" but I could spend hours here trying to clarify what I meant and how you misinterpreted it, but that would not change the fact that you think I'm rude and harsh to you. The bottom line here is that these are just words on a messageboard, and it's not that big a deal. I'm also sorry that I hurt your feelings again when I said that over-reacting to your misinterpretation of my words was silly and using the rolling eyes smiley face.

In the future, if I say something that you take offense to, I would appreciate you getting clarification on what it was I meant rather than assuming I had intended to put you down, which has actually never been the case here.
Well, quite honestly, not that I really want to stretch this out any longer, but perhaps you could just think before you write.

And I am really not all that offended. I just think that it's important to be clear about what you're trying to say and to not further blame another person for your lack of clarity. The fact is I was not the only one to think you meant otherwise. I would appreciate people thinking before they speak and not make judgement calls, "misinterpreted" or not, about other people's lives. See how those darn quotation marks work? I bet you think I'm being sarcastic here. And I bet you'd be right.

[wordsmith]

Actually, words on a message board ARE a big deal, because it's a community like any other,and one that was begun with the intent of being supportive, no less.

There's an increasing pattern going on here, as many have noticed,if reported posts are any indication, of talking down to others/being rude if you don't think their problems are a big enough deal to warrant being actually discussed, and we're going to be way more vigilant about addressing that when it happens. One of our first "rules," if you will is that people should be able to post things that concern them without other people telling them their concern is no big deal and get over it, essentially.

[CTGirl]

Actually, words on a message board ARE a big deal, because it's a community like any other,and one that was begun with the intent of being supportive, no less.

There's an increasing pattern going on here, as many have noticed,if reported posts are any indication, of talking down to others/being rude if you don't think their problems are a big enough deal to warrant being actually discussed, and we're going to be way more vigilant about addressing that when it happens. One of our first "rules," if you will is that people should be able to post things that concern them without other people telling them their concern is no big deal and get over it, essentially.

I completely agree with you.

The only reason I personally was telling people to "get over it" was because they had misinterpreted me, and what I had really meant was not an insult to anyone at all, and I'm sorry that caused so much hurt.

[Suidoken]

I live in a decent medium sized town on the outskirts of a major city. The jobs where I live aren't paying the top dollars. I'm about 1 hour away north or south from two major cities. City jobs pay more but the cost of living is way higher. What I've seen and experienced is that a lot of people prefer to live on the outskirts of the city to take advantage of lower housing prices and such.

My commute sucks big time but I'm well compensated. One of my goals is to suck it up until I'm making $100,000 or over and then transfer that salary down south where the housing prices are RIDICULOUSLY lower than other parts of the country.

[CTGirl]

I live in a decent medium sized town on the outskirts of a major city. The jobs where I live aren't paying the top dollars. I'm about 1 hour away north or south from two major cities. City jobs pay more but the cost of living is way higher. What I've seen and experienced is that a lot of people prefer to live on the outskirts of the city to take advantage of lower housing prices and such.


Yeah, that's just what it's like here living in the NY-Metropolitan area, which is why a lot of us commute from really far, so we dont have to pay the ridiculously high COL closer to NYC.

[Suidoken]

I'm out in the D.C. Area. Where I live I can afford a townhouse. In D.C. the equivalent of what I live in would be 300k or something crazy like that haha.

[arrow]

I'm out in the D.C. Area. Where I live I can afford a townhouse. In D.C. the equivalent of what I live in would be 300k or something crazy like that haha.

Ha, and in Manhattan 300K can buy you a one-bedroom apartment, which is why I live way out in Brooklyn. Where I still couldn't buy a one-bedroom, but I can split the rent of one with my bf.

[winneythepooh7]

Ha, and in Manhattan 300K can buy you a one-bedroom apartment, which is why I live way out in Brooklyn. Where I still couldn't buy a one-bedroom, but I can split the rent of one with my bf.


Are you sure? 1-bedrooms in Long Beach are going for like $500K. I would think that it would be close to that in Manhattan, if not more. Whatever though, the costs in NYC and Nassau County and the surrounding areas (my parents live in Orange County which has turned into a major bedroom community for commuters) are ridiculously expensive. Some of you who aren't from here would probably shit a brick when I tell you how much our rent is. And it's still "cheap" compared to what I know monthly mortgages are in desirable areas around here.

[yankeeyosh]

Ha, and in Manhattan 300K can buy you a one-bedroom apartment, which is why I live way out in Brooklyn. Where I still couldn't buy a one-bedroom, but I can split the rent of one with my bf.

300K for a one bedroom? That's not happening. The average selling price is $1 million in Manhattan, so I would suspect the average 1 bedroom is about $700K or so.

I did read about a 1 BR apartment selling for $169K in Inwood...the cheapest in Manhattan. Still, it's forbiddenly expensive for most the average single person.

[arrow]

300K for a one bedroom? That's not happening. The average selling price is $1 million in Manhattan, so I would suspect the average 1 bedroom is about $700K or so.

I did read about a 1 BR apartment selling for $169K in Inwood...the cheapest in Manhattan. Still, it's forbiddenly expensive for most the average single person.


There are 300K 1-bedrooms in Manhattan. You just have to look around. They're usually on the upper east and west sides, harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and even some spots around the LES. But yeah, it's forbiddenly expensive.

In my neighborhood there was some one-bedroom condo for 150K but it had a monthly maintanance fee of $750 or something like that. That's just silly.

NY prices suck so much. I would never buy here.

[winneythepooh7]

There are 300K 1-bedrooms in Manhattan. You just have to look around. They're usually on the upper east and west sides, harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and even some spots around the LES. But yeah, it's forbiddenly expensive.

In my neighborhood there was some one-bedroom condo for 150K but it had a monthly maintanance fee of $750 or something like that. That's just silly.

NY prices suck so much. I would never buy here.


Honestly, if my fiance didn't have his business here, I'd get the hell out of dodge. I can't make him make that decision though--he needs to come up with it on his own. I've heard of Social Workers making roughly the same amount I do in NYC in places like Wichita KS where I know there is a lower cost of living.

[CTGirl]

Honestly, if my fiance didn't have his business here, I'd get the hell out of dodge. I can't make him make that decision though--he needs to come up with it on his own. I've heard of Social Workers making roughly the same amount I do in NYC in places like Wichita KS where I know there is a lower cost of living.

Agreed (aside from the fiance part, lol). I love the job that I have, which is just north of NYC, but I know I'd be making this same amount in any other city, which have lower COL, so it's really rough.

[winneythepooh7]

I think it would be harder for me to find a job if I was just starting out, but I have management experience now, so I think I could do well in most smaller-scale "cities". It's something worth looking into though for down the road.

[pisces2473]

Hmm, just from what I've seen here...Capella mentioned her salary in FL the other day. It's about 5K more than what I make, and the COL here is MUCH higher. So, I think there are variables that affect things and outliers that mess things up everywhere.

[yankeeyosh]

Hmm, just from what I've seen here...Capella mentioned her salary in FL the other day. It's about 5K more than what I make, and the COL here is MUCH higher. So, I think there are variables that affect things and outliers that mess things up everywhere.

It is a different field, but yeah...I really don't see much differences across the boards when it comes to salaries. Honestly, if I could live in Richmond or some place like that which is a "nice size" and has stuff to do and the COL is low, I'd move in a heartbeat.

[winneythepooh7]

Hmm, just from what I've seen here...Capella mentioned her salary in FL the other day. It's about 5K more than what I make, and the COL here is MUCH higher. So, I think there are variables that affect things and outliers that mess things up everywhere.

Playing Devil's Advocate, I don't think teachers are paid enough anywhere. Keep in mind, it's not a 9-5 position either. So she may make 5K more than you, but is also giving up like all of her evenings and weekends to do lesson planning, correcting papers, etc. etc.

[pisces2473]

Playing Devil's Advocate, I don't think teachers are paid enough anywhere. Keep in mind, it's not a 9-5 position either. So she may make 5K more than you, but is also giving up like all of her evenings and weekends to do lesson planning, correcting papers, etc. etc.
Yeah exactly, that's what I'm saying--there's variables and outliers that affect things.

And check your email.

[arrow]

I'd love to move, but my job wouldn't move with me, unfortunately, and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't doing this job.
Also, my boyfriend can't really do what he's doing anywhere but NY and Cali. Assuming I'd choose to stay with him instead of going off by myself and settling down somewhere..

[capella]

Playing Devil's Advocate, I don't think teachers are paid enough anywhere. Keep in mind, it's not a 9-5 position either. So she may make 5K more than you, but is also giving up like all of her evenings and weekends to do lesson planning, correcting papers, etc. etc.
Yep, and I pay about 1400 a month for my house and stuff. I also have a lot of debt. So my money doesn't go far. Besides, in CT I would probably make closer to 45K, but it really isn't all THAT much cheaper to live here. I also live in a pretty cruddy outer area... just barely suburban really. It's all relative to what your needs/desires/abilities are I suppose.

But why does it matter that I make 5K more than you and you live in a higher COL area (not saying you don't but Orlando is getting pretty ridiculous too)?

[pisces2473]

But why does it matter that I make 5K more than you and you live in a higher COL area (not saying you don't but Orlando is getting pretty ridiculous too)?
I was just using your info as an example about how there are people living in lower COLs making more $$ than those living in higher COLs.

[capella]

I was just using your info as an example about how there are people living in lower COLs making more $$ than those living in higher COLs.
Gotcha. Yeah, that's true of a lot of things I'm sure. But if you compare my job and salary here and the equivalent there.... teachers there make more. It's hard to make comparisons like that I guess.

[pisces2473]

Gotcha. Yeah, that's true of a lot of things I'm sure. But if you compare my job and salary here and the equivalent there.... teachers there make more. It's hard to make comparisons like that I guess.
Yeah, it doesn't really work...nevermind.

I should ask my mom what starting teachers make in our town...or maybe I shouldn't.

I know I've been money-obsessed lately, everyone. I just hate being in an entry level job at my age and with all of the exeperiences I've had.

[shimma]

I know I've been money-obsessed lately, everyone. I just hate being in an entry level job at my age and with all of the exeperiences I've had.

It's hard when you know you're really smart,have a great education, and lots of potential, but haven't really found what exactly you want to do yet, isn't it? I feel your pain.

[pisces2473]

It's hard when you know you're really smart,have a great education, and lots of potential, but haven't really found what exactly you want to do yet, isn't it? I feel your pain.
Yup, yup, and yup. I also hate being everyone's bitch (in the office). I wouldn't mind the salary I'm being paid (as low as it is) it's just the work itself being so deflating.

[wordsmith]

Yeah, it doesn't really work...nevermind.

I should ask my mom what starting teachers make in our town...or maybe I shouldn't.

It's generally a matter of public record, since it's taxpayer funded and an elected body votes on the salaries. We can link to it here on district websites, as well as a few special interest group databases.

[shimma]

Yup, yup, and yup. I also hate being everyone's bitch (in the office). I wouldn't mind the salary I'm being paid (as low as it is) it's just the work itself being so deflating.


Yes you would. You'd be mentally taxed and annoyed that it isn't yielding more money for you.

So do you get discounts on books?

[pisces2473]

Oh yeah, I know it's taxpayer funded, so it's public info. I think I just don't want to know.

[pisces2473]

Yes you would. You'd be mentally taxed and annoyed that it isn't yielding more money for you.

So do you get discounts on books?
Yeah, true. That's how it was at the old place. Less than 10 bux an hour, I don't think so.

You know I'm not there anymore, right? I'm at a new place. No discounts--but we have OPEN INVENTORY.

[shimma]

You know I'm not there anymore, right? I'm at a new place. No discounts--but we have OPEN INVENTORY.

So can you hook me up with some 5-finger discounts? :evil:

[winneythepooh7]

Oh yeah, I know it's taxpayer funded, so it's public info. I think I just don't want to know.

I also still think it's often comparing apples to oranges Jen. The grass always looks greener. On the surface it looks like teachers have a really sweet deal, but in reality, they still have to deal with a lot of crap. You get to go home at night and see your fiance. Many teachers are up all night grading papers and lesson planning. Or at school doing teacher conferences and after school activities.
I remember Ebruening posting over the weekend that even though she has off this week technically, she has been asked to do all this test-prep stuff. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, I just don't think you are seeing the whole picture. I wish I had an answer for you.

[pisces2473]

So can you hook me up with some 5-finger discounts? :evil:
Not on books...

They told us that we can take whatever we'd like, as long as we weren't lifting 50 copies of something or eBay.

[pisces2473]

I also still think it's often comparing apples to oranges Jen. The grass always looks greener. On the surface it looks like teachers have a really sweet deal, but in reality, they still have to deal with a lot of crap. You get to go home at night and see your fiance. Many teachers are up all night grading papers and lesson planning. Or at school doing teacher conferences and after school activities.
I remember Ebruening posting over the weekend that even though she has off this week technically, she has been asked to do all this test-prep stuff. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, I just don't think you are seeing the whole picture. I wish I had an answer for you.
No no no. I wasn't comparing me with TEACHING. I know it's rough. I was a 2ndary ed major for awhile. I got out! I don't want to be a teacher. I don't know how anyone puts up with it.

I wasn't really comparing anything...I don't know....

And actually, no I don't get to go home and see C at night. I'm at my 2nd job right now, since job #1 pays crappy.

[winneythepooh7]

No no no. I wasn't comparing me with TEACHING. I know it's rough. I was a 2ndary ed major for awhile. I got out! I don't want to be a teacher. I don't know how anyone puts up with it.

I wasn't really comparing anything...I don't know....

And actually, no I don't get to go home and see C at night. I'm at my 2nd job right now, since job #1 pays crappy.


OK. Sorry about that.

[leahhers]

my school is close to 2 hours from my house but thats the major I want and the only affordable school

my internship site (no paying job) can be an hour or more depeneding on traffic


i am ok with it b/c I hate where I livee I live with my mom and there is no life on staten island , nyc so I make the sarcrifice when I get a paying job I plan on saving up and them moving out but it will be awhile

Leah