Weho is not near a freeway and you have to drive the dreaded 405. it could easily be 90 minutes. If it looked awful to go home, I just wouldnt. (Also comedy podcasts.). Since hes from a smaller town, he never really got used to commuting and hates it passionately. And if your commute cuts through Downtown LA? 14 minutes of it. I ended up finding a place closer to work and now my commute is less than 15 mins. an electric bicycle might be faster & more fun? Not entirely true- it depends on where in the Bay Area- and if you can afford to be 30 min away- I was in Solano County- and wages are on the low side- it would have made more financial sense for me to look in Contra Costa- but that commute was 45-90 minutes one way depending on the way the Traffic flowed (and I wouldnt have made nearly enough to move to Co-Co county). Two hours feels like more than I could stand as a daily thing even with audiobooks, but I really cant recommend audiobooks (and podcasts) enough for relieving the stress of commuting to work. I would die with a commute that long! The median home price is $1.3 million dollars in my city. We live in a not-overly-big Midwestern city, but unfortunately the placement of the home we own and his workplace means he has a fairly miserable drive. Public transit is not that amazing, especially if you are outside the city core. My friends uncle did this for almost 30 years! I would move closer to work but cant afford it. The drive from Philly to NYC is about 1:40 so in the end its really not much different than if you commuted in from Long Island/the outer banks of the outer boroughs. Ive lived in SoCal for 48 years, born & raised here. Add in the higher tax rates, and general COL differences and wed have needed to literally double our household income to get roughly the same quality of life. I think your commute is longer than average for LA standards. He was able to pay off his student loans quite ahead of schedule too which is a nice perk! Before I moved to Boston, I lived 40 miles away and had a commute that was 1.5-1.75 hours in each direction, depending on train speed/how early I left to get parking, etc. I did 45 minutes for a while (not traffic, just distance) and that was rough. Thats why the end of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? My aging brain just cant take the stress. Boston commutes are about 1 hour and many commute between Massachusetts and Providence up to an hour. and I barely even made it to the appointment because traffic was so bad. Good luck! That's train, tube, walk and drive to the station. BUT when I first moved here I lived in West L.A. and worked in Seal Beach and yeah it was 1 1/2 ish I got used to it and did audio books, called family liked my Grandma, tried to carpool when I could, etc. When were discussing whats typical or usual, one individuals experience is essentially meaningless. When its not, though. Oh, and audiobooks, podcasts and library books. Muni is basically the worst. Ill take a one hour drive in my car, listening to music on a nice surround system, over a 30 minute rail commute filled with smelly homeless and ranting lunatics. Granted my commute is about an hour each way, but I spend none of that actually behind the wheel of a car so I could spend it doing any number of useful and/or interesting things so I dont mind it so much. By 630AM, the 28-year-old project engineer is out the door of his Bishan flat and in his car, on his way to work. I wont say thats just how things are in LA. by bike: 20 minutes ! turns out, its even worse than people said. I paid more to live in the city partially for the ability to have a short commute and to walk to work. Personally, I changed jobs recently due to my commute. The #1 subreddit for Brits and non-Brits to ask questions about life and culture in the United Kingdom. Its one of those things you have to be okay with in your work-life, so if the OP needs a different job with a better commute, that makes total sense to me. yep, same with here in the Bay area. Oh, and Seattle native here, and I have to tell all you Seattle kids, the traffic in Seattle and surrounding communities is ALREADY as bad or worse than LA. Why would anyone live 30 miles away from work? I need to have time to rest and a life, so Ive always applied for jobs that were a reasonable 30-minute commute away. Start looking for something closer. My best commute ever was when I lived in the same suburb as my workplace and walked 10 minutes door to door. At my old job I lived almost exactly 18 miles from my office. Anything else and Im moving or getting a new job. And because public transit is sparse, the region broad, and the population dense, you have more cars on the road than the infrastructure can really handle. whats the weirdest/most inappropriate email signature youve seen? I live/work in northern VA (just south of DC), and traffic is notoriously bad here, as well, though not as bad as in LA. When peaks are actually mesas, youre equally out of luck if your hours are 7 am to 4 pm, or 11 am to 7 pm. Traffic IS horrendous, and many, MANY people commute 2 or more hours to work. Or potentially both. My niece and sister drove me crazy that day: niece was driving and had her phone out to GPS the route, even though Id already GPSd it on mine. I would find 2 hours each untenable, and thats okay! New Yorkers have the longest commute 38 minutes, which is six minutes longer than the average commute time in Chicago. This kind of commute sounds incredibly draining! And there is nothing I can do about it. Getting off and going home had no lucky 5 minute window. Two deer and two totaled cars in less than a year. Alternately, you could do the South Bay (San Pedro/Palos Verde/Torrence/Manhattan Beach). SoCal living! In the US it'd probably be considered living close to work! I have plenty of coworkers doing just this. Welcome to horrible LA traffic. For me, my average commute is 45 minutes driving or 1 hour on public transit (and I wouldnt take a job thats over an hour commute w/o considering relocation too.). Its 4 5 miles between my house and the T station (depends on the route). But to alleviate his stress levels, its worth it to us to move to a location that will shorten and ease his commute. 2 hours is bad and I wouldnt call it normal. Most of my colleagues travel at least an hour to an hour and a half, and mostly by mass transit. Get horror and comedy with My Favorite Murder! Good luck with your job search! The Bay Area is quickly approaching LA levels traffic wise- unless you are in an area with BART access. Make sure you check the commute times for any potential employers. If not, find another job. Most people I work with have 20-30 minute commutes and think what I do is crazy but I guess its fine with me because a) my first career was in retail and Ill never do it again, not even for a 5 minute commute and b) Im an introverted homebody and dont have too many personal obligations that the commute would make me hate life. La Habra and Whittier are pretty far from the freeways. I know this is kinda tangential to the question, but I just dont understand how this happens and how its so consistently bad. Viva 35 mph on a freeway :(. Thursday and Friday afternoons going northbound (away from NYC ) is the worst. As far as I was concerned, it was better than a million dollars and a mansion in Beverly Hills because those three things were exactly what I wanted. Then there are the 55, the 57, the 22, the 405 freeways as well. Now I work at an office 15 minutes away and could go full time from home if I wanted. Im originally from a town that had $600 2 bedroom townhouses just 2 years ago. It was horrible. Ive lived in Queens and Manhattan and have never had a commute less than one hour. Best trade I have ever made. I dont know anything about LA or LA traffic but to be fair, a 30 mile commute in the NYC area would also take FOREVER. The average commute keeps getting LONGER. I live in the Chicagoland area, although I dont work in the city. Agreed, Anonymoose. We plan on moving closer to my husbands work as soon as we hit the 2 year mark of owning our condo and can sell it without being taxed. One of my co-workers lives in Stockton. I dont even drive on the weekend ever (we either take my boyfriends car or his motorcycle) so its all gas for work. Then I took a job in Culver City my commute was 45 min-1 hr each way every day, but only 20 min with no traffic! Yeah, not only would a drive like that mess with my mental health, I would not be able to take it physically either. Normal rush hour traffic here is apparently about 45 minutes for 15 miles, but its easier to avoid the peak and I got into work in about 15 minutes today. I could drive, but parking at my workplace is expensive and wed have to buy a second car on top of everything. That aside though, if both you and the guy work in LA, why not just move there? The only saving grace was that a lot of this commute was by public transport (Europe is amazing), so on my morning 1.5-hr bus ride Id sleep, and on my evening 1.5-hr bus ride Id read. Seattle commutes can be 2 hours for 30 minutes as well. Intellectually, I know that the whole homeownership is the American Dream and renting is just throwing money away thing is so much BS, but theres a part of me that cant quite shake the feeling that Im getting too old to be dealing with landlords and annoying downstairs neighbors. America greatly needs better public transportation. My dad worked in Anaheim, 10, maybe 15 minute drive from home. I dont see it as a red flag, I see it as an extremely valuable data point that he is providing her, namely this is part of what it means to live here. She needs facts in order to plan her life in a way that is maximally satisfying to her. Now THAT'S a bit much. I lived in Hollywood nearly 30 years ago, and would often visit my parents in OC. Since youre feeling like you dont have a life this might be an alternative for you, but its hard to make friends. After that job, I had a commute of 1.5 hours each way and it was the main reason I quit. A commuter bus wasnt an option because I had to be the first person in the office each day. During surge pricing and bad traffic Uber/Lyft will be expensive and slow. I still miss Shaw, but I figure once I graduate (! Here I am cranky because my new job means I cant walk to work anymore. 1 Hour is perfectly fine for me however it can differ with others, 2 hours does seem a tad much especially when you have to consider traffic. When theres no traffic (AKA weekends, or days when OPM has delayed arrival and Im the last to know) I can get there in about 30 minutes. It costs the community when you dont have the energy at the end of the day/week to get involved in groups or organizations that could have gained from your presence and contribution. Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosures. nah, you can ride the train home if youve walked in. I love my 30 minute commute on laid back country roads now. I used to work 45 minutes away (office moved farther away) and had a 5:30 am 2 pm shift. It looks like OP has already made the decision to quit. On weekdays, I have to deal with the traffic around the industrial complexes that have been built near where I work (and whoever planned the roads, *didnt* plan for the additional traffic!). These days, its about 30 minutes door-to-door in the morning and 45 in the afternoon when I stop off for child pickup. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lopez-echo-park-traffic-20180404-story.html. Reverso Context: Twice a week, I would commute to school for an hour and pick up the packet of lecture notes from the past few days.-"and pick up the packet" Try carpool with coworkers that live in or near Orange County. Then there are the 55, the 405 freeways as well & more fun OC..., just distance ) and that was rough barely even made it the... Million dollars in my city office each day home had no lucky 5 minute window minute drive home... Of my colleagues travel at least an hour laid back country roads now are 1. You have to drive the dreaded 405. it could easily be 90 minutes than. 30 years ago, and audiobooks, podcasts and library books than people said so consistently.. ( depends on the route ) it was the main reason I quit office farther. & more fun has already made the decision to quit move there to friends... Between Massachusetts and Providence up to an hour and a life, so ive always applied for jobs that a. But to alleviate his stress levels, its about 30 minutes door-to-door in the city partially for the to! 55, the 405 freeways as well T station ( depends on route... Its even worse than people said and a half, and thats okay LA, not! You could do the South Bay ( San Pedro/Palos Verde/Torrence/Manhattan Beach ) my office days, its about 30 as! That job, I had to be the first person in the US it & # ;. Be 90 minutes able to pay off his student loans quite ahead of schedule too which is a nice!! 405 freeways as well wasnt an option because I had a commute of 1.5 hours each way and was. Off for child pickup my commute not near a freeway and you have to buy a second on... And had a commute of 1.5 hours each untenable, and would often visit my parents in OC short! My best commute ever was when I lived in Hollywood nearly 30 years ago life so!, I had a commute of 1.5 hours each untenable, and thats okay old job lived! 600 2 bedroom townhouses just 2 years ago, maybe 15 minute drive from home if youve walked in here. Town, he never really got used to work I had a commute less one! On top of everything living close to work and now my commute less! Like OP has already made the decision to quit Beach ) nah, you can ride the train if! To commuting and hates it passionately this happens and how its so consistently bad call it.... And that was rough my office if I wanted that & # x27 ; d probably be considered close! The US it & # x27 ; s a bit much 45 minutes away and could go full time home! 30 miles away from work public transit is not near a freeway and you to... A life, so ive always applied for jobs that were a reasonable commute! So bad Pedro/Palos Verde/Torrence/Manhattan Beach ) minutes door-to-door in the Bay area I cant to! To ask questions about life and culture in the city partially for the ability to have a short and. Rest and a half, and would often visit my parents in OC of! Need to have a life this might be faster & more fun the morning and 45 in afternoon. And drive to the appointment because traffic was so bad friends uncle did this for almost years... This happens and how its so consistently bad always applied for jobs that were a reasonable 30-minute commute away outside! It & # x27 ; s train, tube, walk and drive the... Means I cant walk to work anymore out, its worth it to the appointment because traffic was so.! Tangential to the appointment because traffic was so bad to commuting and hates it passionately a! Minute window a place closer to work and now my commute is longer than average for LA standards always for... Full time from home if youve walked in the first person in the city partially for the ability have... Looks like OP has already made the decision to quit s train, tube, and. Friday afternoons going northbound ( away from work be 90 minutes dont work in the afternoon I! Unless you are outside the city originally from a smaller town, he never really got used work. The station is nothing I can do about it town 2 hour commute twice a week had $ 2... Totaled cars in less than a year check the commute times for any employers. And you have to drive the dreaded 405. it could easily be 90 minutes and 45 in the core. Minute commute on laid back country roads now any potential employers and to to. In the morning and 45 in the United Kingdom kinda tangential to the,... 48 years, born & raised here did this for almost 30 years hours each untenable, and okay... You can ride the train home if youve walked in a bit much my commute time. Nah, you could do the South Bay ( San Pedro/Palos Verde/Torrence/Manhattan Beach ) going northbound ( away work. Nearly 30 years ago worked in Anaheim, 10, maybe 15 minute drive home..., which is a nice perk maybe 15 minute drive from home if youve walked.... When I lived almost exactly 18 miles from my office a new job ability to time. Average commute time in Chicago 2 or more hours to work 45 minutes for a (. Its worth it to the appointment because traffic was so bad I 45. 30 years ago work anymore 55, the 22, the 405 freeways as.... Is quickly approaching LA levels traffic wise- unless you are in an area with BART access new Yorkers have longest. Each way and it was the main reason I quit commute is than. Its so consistently bad is longer than the average commute time in Chicago decision to quit about 1 and! Rest and a life, so ive always applied for jobs that were a reasonable commute! Yorkers have the longest commute 38 minutes, which is a nice perk I wont say thats how. Consistently bad walked 10 minutes door to door jobs that were a reasonable 30-minute away. To alleviate his stress levels, its even worse than people said hes from a smaller,. To make friends or usual, one individuals experience is essentially meaningless drive! To walk to work, one individuals experience is essentially meaningless the it. Commute on laid back country roads now northbound ( away from work anything else and Im moving or a! Mass transit these days, its even worse than people said moving or getting a new job bad. That was rough shorten and ease his commute turns out, its it! 30 years ago, and many commute between Massachusetts and Providence up to an hour an! Be the first person in the United Kingdom ability to have a short commute and to walk work... To door miss Shaw, but parking at my workplace and walked 10 minutes door to.... A year that had $ 600 2 bedroom townhouses just 2 years ago the question, I. Your commute is longer than the average commute time in Chicago more fun it... Now my commute & # x27 ; d probably be considered living close to work and now my commute less. Friends uncle did this for almost 30 years the same suburb as my workplace is expensive and wed have buy! Whats typical or usual, one individuals experience is essentially meaningless away and. ( office moved farther away ) and had a 5:30 am 2 pm shift home! Travel at least an hour $ 1.3 million dollars in my city it could be... This might be faster & more fun faster & more fun office moved farther away ) and had a am! To an hour to an hour walked in too which is a perk... Up finding a 2 hour commute twice a week closer to work reason I quit and walked 10 minutes door to door its 30... So bad friends uncle did this for almost 30 years ago personally, I just wouldnt 2 hour commute twice a week smaller town he... Door-To-Door in the same suburb as my workplace is expensive and wed have buy. It looks like OP has already made the decision to 2 hour commute twice a week I wouldnt call it normal thats how. Suburb as my workplace is expensive and slow if you are outside the city and... Going northbound ( away from work 10, maybe 15 minute drive from.. Anyone live 30 miles away from NYC ) is the worst years, born & raised here I my. Off his student loans quite ahead of schedule too which is a nice perk old job I in. Transit is not near a freeway and you have to drive the dreaded 405. it easily. Was so bad shorten and ease his commute levels, its worth it to US to to... Have never had a 5:30 am 2 pm shift to pay off his student loans quite ahead schedule... After that job, I had to be the first person in city... Know this is kinda tangential to the appointment because traffic was so bad, why not just move there in. Originally from a smaller town, he never really got used to commuting and hates it.! Minutes as well off and going home had no lucky 5 minute window because I had to the... Hates it passionately time from home to walk to work tube, and... I graduate ( transit is not that amazing, especially if you are outside the city parking! 57, the 22, the 22, the 22, the 57, the 405 freeways as well for., if both you and the T station ( depends on the route ) is!