#commute #worklifebalance #salaryincrease #Bostoncommute
Would you commute to Boston, 1 hr 30 min each way, for 40k more salary? This is a dilemma that many individuals face when considering a job opportunity that requires a long commute. The thought of spending 3 hours or more each day on the road can be daunting, especially for those with young children.
The Problem:
For many, the prospect of a higher salary is tempting, but the sacrifice of time spent commuting can weigh heavily on one’s mind. The question becomes: is the financial gain worth the loss of valuable time with family or for personal hobbies?
Possible Solutions:
1. Evaluate Your Priorities:
- Consider what is most important to you – financial stability or work-life balance.
- Reflect on how the long commute will impact your overall well-being and happiness.
2. Explore Alternate Transportation Options:
- Look into carpooling or taking public transportation to make the commute more bearable.
- Consider negotiating for flexible work hours or remote work options with your employer.
3. Calculate the Real Cost:
- Factor in the expenses of fuel, tolls, and wear and tear on your vehicle for the commute.
- Consider the opportunity cost of the time spent commuting that could be used for personal growth or relaxation.
Ultimately, the decision to commute to Boston for a higher salary is a personal one that requires careful consideration of your priorities and values. While the financial gain may be enticing, it’s important to weigh the costs – both monetary and personal – before making a decision that will impact your daily life significantly.
Nope
You’re fully remote now? No, unless you think this job will mean you can make $150k in 2 years. Then maybe
An extra $40,000 a year would go a long way for your child.
Edit to add: I’d suggest you use a calculator to figure out how much money your child could get after 18 years (or whatever the you want). Compounding interest is no joke.
I commute 1.5 hours each way 3 days a week. It’s not easy but it’s not impossible. I had to go in everyday for one week and that was just awful. By the time you get home you’re exhausted and probably won’t be able to spend quality time with your spouse/kids. I honestly don’t think $40K more is worth it if you’ll have to go in everyday.
When I was just starting out, I may well have moved for a 50% comp increase… that’s like 5-10yrs worth of annual raises, a big step forward
1 1/2 hours is a really long commute I’d be concerned about burn out
At that point you’re barely even getting paid more per hour, if you count the extra 15-20 hours of commuting time as time spent. Doesnt seem worth it to me, at that point you’d have barely any time left over to live.
Boston commute is hard and inconsistent . 40k is bank. There is not just travel time. Gas and wear and tear on your car. Have to bring lunch or eat out. Parking is not cheap… I want to say approx $40 a day…. I could be wrong but it’s close. While working from home is 3hour less travel time. Full kitchen, clean bathroom, no people. Childcare flexible schedule. If you do the math I think you can see 40k may not be all it sounds like after taxes and travel expenses. A lot depends on your personal preferences. Run the numbers.
I wouldnt its worth the cut not commuting and wfh
Via car or train?
No.
Hell… NO.
Also you have a 1 year old… you have 4 more years of them getting sick every few months. Have fun.
I took the train 1:30 each way in NY. It was actually my favorite part of the day because I had time for myself to read.
i work remote and would not consider even a 20 min commute for 40k more.
Every single day? Hell no. 2 (maybe 3) days per week. Maybe. I’d have to carefully weigh the pros/cons
Math it out. That’s 3 hrs a day, so 15 hrs a wk or 60 hrs a month.
$40k a year? That’s about $3200 a month or $800 a wk. so is that $800 a wk for 15 hrs.
I wouldn’t do it. Quality of life would be wrecked and that’s not enough money to be “worth it” to me
Yes. You can probably transition and leverage this job later on, perhaps into remote for the same pay. Real parent talk right here, the baby years are cute but the important years where you should spend more time start when they get to be around 4-5. That commute does suck dick, but you could easily tough it out for 2yrs and then leverage it for something better. Unless you think your currently job can give you +15k within the next 2-3yrs, Id take the higher paying job with longer commute right now.
Similar ish circumstances here. Took an 18k increase( plus really, really good benefits) to go from 15 min drive 3x a week, to 1 hr drive 3x a week (each direction). We’re handcuffed with our mortgage too, and what we’ve decided is sometimes we will Airbnb near work a night or two a month. If your spouse is a stay at home parent, then they can take the kid for new experiences in new places for fun.
You get out ahead of relocating, kid gets to do something fun, you retain some sanity and quality of life, and you bank roll the rest. My 1 hour drive isn’t that bad, but 1.5 will start to add up. This all depends on personal tolerance.
No, just find a new remote job that pays more instead.
3 hours a day commuting??
15 hours a week??
Hell no !
Not at all. Fuck commuting, and especially fuck large urban areas. Oh, and along with commuting math, don’t forget that things like gas and lunch probably cost more than they would 90 minutes from the city.
Interviewed at a place a year or 2 ago and when I realized that I’d have to park in a parking garage daily, and that the whole area was upscale, that killed it right there. Salary was on par with my previous role, but they insisted I had to be in office 5 days a week (from remote for 3 years previous), it was about a 45 minute commute with area traffic, and my math was that I’d spend probably about 8-12k a year more if I ended up eating lunch locally, vs making my own lunch at home every day. Plus they had a 45 hour work week instead of 40.
I noped out of there, and then the hiring manager called to offer me the job and tell me how much the 4 interviewers all liked me, and he sounded so shocked when I told him no.
Yes
If you gonna do it, Do it for one year then leverage that salary to bump you to a job closer.
I quit my job when they moved from Boston to Lexington. My 15 min commute changed to 1.5 – 2 hours each way (orange line -> red line -> bus). Things happen, it is going to be longer than you think. For example, a car crashed into alewife, and my commute bumped up to 3 hours per way for a few weeks.
I asked for a raise, and they said no so I quit. They did not reimburse me for any travel expenses, and it was a frustrating job paying 55K so just pure garbage. With the unpaid overtime that started to occur, I was making sub-minimum wage.
I would absolutely do that commute for a 40K salary raise.
Math for me (conservative): 55K Salary / 780 hours commuting + 2080 hours salary/ = 19.00/hour (yuck)
Actual for me (1144 +2080) 3224/ 55,000K = 17.00/hour
Math for you (conservative): $110K/ 600 hours commuting / year + 2080 (9-5 salary assumed) = 41.00/hour
Math for you (realistic): 110K / 780 hours commuting +2080 salary = 38.00/hour
If you can negotiate one or more work from home day, this can really help you.
You’ll never get that time back with your kiddo. Don’t do it
Don’t know. We don’t pay your bills
Where are you coming from?
I did before but that was only out of necessity. That commute is soul sucking and I’d want at least 200k to even consider it, half joking
Only if you have someone that can cook, clean, do your laundry, have dinner ready when you get home, lunch ready for you to take to work and someone to do your snow removal, before you leave the house and again before you get home if needed. Otherwise , not worth it.
Nope, 3 hours a day, 750 hours of commuting a year, it’s not worth the $32k you’d have after taxes for me.
I’d give a LOT to have more time with my young kids again.
With 3 hours a day of commuting, plus lunch break, you’ll be away from 12 hours a day. Maybe see them for 2 hours before bedtime.
But I’m not in your shoes and that money may mean a lot more to you.
Hmm I think it’s worth it, cause it’s 4 days a week (not 5), and your car drive is minimal, the train ride is the bulk of your commute time where u can just chill. $40k more in pay per year, yeah I’d do it especially since you’re already married. You’re not a single person wanting to bar hop and have a big social commitment to friends or dating after work every night. It’s just barely worth it though.
Do it and start making the phat money u and your family deserve. Plus it’ll give you leverage for your next job to make even more than that.
I’d agree to do it then get a medical excuse that would allow me to go remote. Problem solved
If you don’t need the money, it’s not worth it. Such a large raise can be enticing, but after a week of that commute you will start to hate it.
Nope. Time is way more valuable than that. Your profits will be eaten by sadness and stress and gas and wear on your car. Are you also accounting for traffic. Being full remote your kid will actually know you. Priceless
No
You are never gonna get that time back with your kid. You gonna get home, tired and stressed, etc
Ain’t worth the money in my opinion.
Can’t make that decision in a vacuum. What are the outlooks of each job in the 2-5 year range? The sacrifice could be worth it if the potential is higher, but I would map that out and if possible also communicate intention upon acceptance.
I currently community from the west coast to east coast. Not daily but I alternate weeks (1 week WFH, one week on the east coast). Ive been doing this for two years and it’s definitely taken its toll, but the role has also accelerated my trajectory so it’s a trade off I’m willing to make for now
Yep 40k worth it
Just did that drive today. CC to Boston. I couldn’t do it constantly with a 1 year old. This would be too taxing. But I’m in my 40s
I did a similar trip. Springfield to Mid NH. I put 50K on my Prius in one year. In my 30s with no kid it was doable then.