Would my commute be too long?

Question

I am trying to decide if to commute or to split households and live in a different city from my husband (young couple, no kids). I'm starting a new job soon, and the commute time would be about 1 hour 15 minutes one way. I've commuted at different times 45 minutes and 1 hr in the past, but at most 4 days a week. I'm not sure about doing 1:15 5 days a week... and we would need to get a better car too... but would it be worth saving a little money and time to be living apart? What do you think? (Thanks in advance for any thoughts.)

Answer 1

1:15 isn't really all that bad. Alot of people have much longer commutes. It isn't worth the strain on a relationship to save a few hours a week driving.

Get yourself a cheap commuter car - like a honda civic. Something a few years old with low miles. Then take it to BestBuy and have them install a good stereo with a satellite system (XM or Sirrius). You should be able to get going for less than $10,000.

Answer 2

My husband and I did this, although we had 3 kids so the situation was a little different.  It was miserable because I was basically a single mother the majority of the time.  However you probably won't be able to spend much time together if you are traveling 2 and half hours each way.  If it is more economical and your relationship is solid enough to withstand separation than it may be more plausible to live apart.

Answer 3

This split might also be the end of a relationship so watch out! 70 or 80 mile drive each way say(75milesx2) 360 times is 54,000 miles one set of tires add $1,000 minimum car maintenance and let's say you purchased a good gas mileage car 29 miles a gallon @$2.75 that is $5,120 in fuel and new car payment $385 a month over 60 month loan $4,620. and the 1,500 down payment. 1,500 a year insurance. So let's say this new job looks like 12,000 a year more income that's a 1,000 month raise right? Your new job just cost you $1,740 because you just spent $13,740 getting to and from your job. Then It has to be a really good raise I would think at least $20,000 more a year pay to justify.  Some of these expenses are the same staying where you are.