Let's Talk about Commuting to Work

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

In you opinion is driving 1.5 hours one way, 4 times a week, for a year doable?

Depends how much you value ~600 hours.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

In you opinion is driving 1.5 hours one way, 4 times a week, for a year doable?

Depends upon what you're getting out of it.

I have spent 7 months basically doing that, but with a driver rather than driving myself, and got to the point of deciding that I was done with the job at the end of my contract if not before. I wouldn't do it unless the opportunity is worth it. It sucks.

[rotten42]

My main commute is from Royal Oak to the NE (26kms) I leave early in the morning (6:15am) and get there in 25-30 minutes. My other commute is 3,700kms to Charlotte each month...that takes longer.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Depends how much you value ~600 hours.

Agreed, but another factor that needs consideration is the health consequences. I find that the sacrifice in terms of both additional hours spent sitting each week as well as the hours of sleep sacrificed each week have a significant impact upon health. Over time, that has become a more important cost to me than the time.

[WhiteTiger]

Work is currently a pleasant 20 minute walk way. We moved with that goal (be able to walk to work) high on our priority list.

Where we used to live, the commute could be anywhere from a 20 minute drive (on a really good day/weekend) to a 2.5 hour nightmare. I would hate going back to that. I love knowing that pretty much whatever the weather or traffic situation is, I can get to work when I'm supposed to be there, without having to leave hours beforehand.

[activeStick]

I used to be a 30 minute drive each way to the client site but since leaving that client, I now walk to my firm's office downtown in Vancouver which is 10 minutes each way. My next gig will likely be out of province so my commute will be likely a short walk or cab ride from the hotel of 10 minutes or less to the client site.

[PaperBagger'14]

I'm really lucky in that I live in the suburbs and my work is a 5-10 minute drive in a nearby industrial park. I spend more time driving for work than going to/from.

[Robbob]

My father-in-law did around 2 hours each way for around 10 years (Go-train from Burlington to Downtown Toronto. I don't think I would ever be able to do something like that for that long.

I currently live in the south and its about 40-45 mins from home to office. Longer if there is any issue with the trains. Made the decision that in a few years we would love to sell the home and moving to condo inner city. Probably better suited to our life style. I also am extremely jealous of the people that can be at work in 15 minutes. Probably get well over 200 extra hours a year to do anything other than sitting on a train or in traffic.

[btimbit]

About 15-20 minutes on average. Douglasdale to 32nd Ave NE.

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Okay, how about this: whats the longest commute you've done before?

2 hours and 15 minutes each way, Airdrie to Winfield. Did it for 2 months.

[tete]

I live in Beltline and used to work downtown - it was less than 25 mins on foot, 12 minute bike ride. I really miss commuting on foot/cycling. I now work at the UofC and drive - 15ish minutes. I tried the train for the first few days but I get off work on off-peak hours and could wait 15 mins for a train - it'd take almost an hour door to door. I'd love to cycle but I'm too out of shape, so driving it is.

Longest commute was in university, I lived in the south end of Winnipeg and worked north of the city near a town called Selkirk. Throw in carpooling with other staff and it'd take no less than an hour, sometimes 90 mins. I feel like in Winnipeg you're always driving, it didn't feel out of the ordinary.

[bagofpucks]

I chose the acreage life and work downtown. I am 40-50 minutes in the morning and 40-60 minutes in the afternoon. For the most part, I am generally able to commute outside of peak times, which really makes a difference. The other thing that helps is I have many different routes I can take, so if one is backed up at least I have some options.

For me the commute trade off is totally worth it as we love where we live, but I totally understand it’s not for everyone. The last 20 minutes of the drive is on the highway and has quite the mountain view, so I find it is a good way to wind down before I get him too.

[malcolmk14]

I can get to work in under 7 minutes but I usually take different routes, stop at Starbucks, drive through new neighbourhoods and down interesting streets. So it takes me about 25.

[Sainters7]

If you include the walk from my parking spot downtown, then my extremely slow, milk run elevator ride to my office on the top floor, it's 40-45min. From just my place in Chap Valley to my DT parking spot it's about a half hour in the summer.

Too long either way, I really need to move closer. But enjoying nature down here is so nice. Maybe once fall hits...

[GreatWhiteEbola]

JOB#1 --> 30 Minutes (SE to DT), JOB#2 --> 20 Minutes (DT to NW), Home --> 30 Minutes.

[Northendzone]

I am surprised that none of you downtown boys swim to work.

I live in new Brighton, my office is across the street from chinook. I work the early shift - so about 20 minutes driving each way.

If I ride my bike 42 to 50 minutes each way - this commute is far more enjoyable

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I am surprised that none of you downtown boys swim to work.

I live in new Brighton, my office is across the street from chinook. I work the early shift - so about 20 minutes driving each way.

If I ride my bike 42 to 50 minutes each way - this commute is far more enjoyable

The New Harvey passage Stops me every time...

[chemgear]

Anybody else multiplying all the minutes by a factor of 1.5 (or maybe 2.0) out of habit with how your friends are terrible at underestimating commute times?

EDIT: It takes me about 4-5 minutes to go from the office door to the car in the underground parkade and then drive up the floors to the exit onto the actual road. From there it's probably 7-12 minutes to the garage door depending upon traffic and route; 6 to 7 km all told.

I assume other people would probably claim a "5 to 10 minute" commute.

Additional edit: Do people taking the bus include the walk to the stop and the average wait for it to arrive?

[Deegee]

25-30 minutes

Didsbury to Innisfail

[cam_wmh]

7-20 (inclement weather) minutes from parkade to parkade. Mission to downtown.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

In you opinion is driving 1.5 hours one way, 4 times a week, for a year doable?

Anything is doable for a year.

When I lived in Montreal (South shore), if I had to commute (St Laurent) in the heart of rush hour, 75 minutes was a good day. So I only did this when absolutely necessary (30 minutes without traffic). But I never really minded it anyway, and felt like I wasted the time well (sat radio, music, audio book, sports radio).