My job choice is difficult because of the commute I'll face?

Question

What's a reasonable commute for a job? I've been offered a job in Holyoke, MA, which is about 90 miles from where I live in Boston. It pays about $5000 more than my next best offer. I might rent a place in Holyoke to live in during the week, and commuting each weekend.

I've done this commute twice a month for the past 9 months - but I'd have to up it to 4x/month for the next year or so.

The difficult factor here is my boyfriend who lives in Boston. We haven't talked much about it except for when I told him about it he was pretty upset and pessimistic and Later when we discussed it he said it would be ok, as long as I got a nice place near the highway. I know he doesn't want to tell me what to do, and that's why we haven't said much more about it.

I'm concerned about the $$$ cost and mental cost of commuting, and I'm not sure I want to stay in this industry (It's a Utility company, and Boston has more medical jobs). Basically, regardless of the salary, I'm not sure it's worth it

Answer 1

Err, is $5000 going to cover all those extra expenses you are going to have. Don't forget to include the extra income and other taxes involved?

Is this a boyfriend that you want to convert to husband?

Is driving the only way to commute? Are ther other services you could use.

Frankly, it sounds like this is a job to decline if you do not want to be in the industry, plus you want to keep boyfriend and you want to stay in Boston.

Answer 2

You really need to think about the cost of sacrificing your quality of life. That seems like a lot for really not that much benefit.

On the other hand, some people are able to get into the commute and actually enjoy the time where they can have their thoughts.

Whatever you decide- Good luck!

Answer 3

You're going to have to factor in the actual costs of the commute,  the costs of the additional residence, as well as the mental cost of the commute.  I don't know how much rents are in MA, but in NY, an extra $5000 won't cover the $ costs of those two, let alone the mental costs.   And I can tell you from my own experience that any commute over an hour, where the commute is driving, not mass transit, is very wearing in the long term.   I did it for about a year, and I don't recommend it.

Answer 4

Assuming that you are talking about $5,000 more a year(?) then it is certainly NOT worth  it.

That comes out to only $416 a month more and that is gross which means it will be even less than that after taxes.

The numbers do not work out based on the cost of having to get a place to live during the week. Plus the costs of now being isolated from your friends/bf  in Boston. Not the mention the increased gas costs and the fact that the roads in your area can get impassable in the winter. You might get "stuck" there and not be able to go to Boston or vice versa you might get "stuck" in Boston and not be able to make it back for work on Monday. Either way it is not good.

Also, consider the fact that gas is now costly and if anything the price of gas is going to go up. There is only a very limited chance of the price of gas going down any time soon.

Plus consider that Boston is the largest city in New England as such there should be plenty of good jobs in or closer to town.

Here is a general rule that has been serving me well for years. : Do not commute more than 1/2 hour each way and be sure to consider whatever traffic/weather conditions you will be facing. Make an exception to this rule ONLY if the job pays a LOT more I am talking $25K per year more or more. If not it really is not worth it.

In the end it is NOT worth the $5,000 a year.

Answer 5

Since I will assume the $5000 annual increase in salary, Cost of commute alone will eat half of this money and not to mention the wear and tear on you+the vehicle.

Second You move closer and your rent and you pay utilities and food and and and and you miss your boyfriend.

IT IS NOT WORTH IT

Answer 6

i don't think commuting that far is worth any amount of money..you'll never have a real life....and yes, mentally, it will cost you...trust me, I know....I commute 60 miles a day...and I am ready to stop it after 2 yrs.....

Answer 7

The way to think about it is add on the hours of the commute to the work hours and recalculate the salary per hour. This way you can compare it to other jobs that are more local.

Commuting = Terrible. Avoid even if it pays a bit more.

Answer 8

Figure 50 weeks of 180 mile commutes with your gas mileage per gallon at current gas prices. Cost? assuming there will be no unexpected problems along the way. No fear. Problems almost never happen in life except for when they do.

Plus the upkeep car costs, driving risks, impolite drivers, rent cost if you do. Is slow backed up traffic a possiblity at least once a month making you late for work? Do you want to waste 4 hours of weekend rest recreation time all year long losing your freedom to the exciting stress free calm life of Boston outskirt area traffic? Figure that driving time as equal to your hourly wage being subtracted. Where is the profit in inescapable stress after a few months?

It may be better to be patient and keep searching for a nearby job that's not so expensive for you. Sounds like Holyoke may be costing you about $5000 just to be there.

Answer 9

It's not worth it.  Factor the cost of driving as well as the time lost, and there goes the extra $5000.