The work commute distance depends on your career and what you want out of it. If you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, then a long commute could be just what the doctor ordered. If you need to work around family obligations, however, a longer commute can become an insurmountable obstacle that will lead to less time with loved ones. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips for those struggling with the idea of moving closer or farther away from their jobs to find a better balance between home and work life!
The work commute distance
Of course, the distance to work is the most critical factor in determining how your commute will affect you and those who depend on you. If it’s possible to find a job close by or with flexible hours (a telecommute position, for example), then long commutes may not be as challenging to manage.
If commuting time is more than 30 minutes, it may be time to consider a move.
What it means for your career
A longer commute time will mean that you’ll need to give up more of your day for the trip, which doesn’t go towards any meaningful work output. Employers value employees who are always on-hand and ready to take calls or attend important meetings. That means a shorter drive may be what sets you apart from other candidates during the hiring process.
It can also affect your morale. If you’re spending more time commuting, then it’s less time than you can be productive and spend with loved ones or pursuing other interests in life.
A longer commute time will also affect your car insurance rates, which will, in turn, increase the cost of driving to and from work.
It depends on your career and what you want out of it. If you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, then a long commute could be worth it.
What it means when buying a house
When looking to buy a home, it’s important to know what your commute will be like and how much time you’ll spend in transit. The average American spends around 38 hours a year commuting, which is the equivalent of two days out of their yearly schedule! That means having more free time at home with family or pursuing other interests could make up for this number quite easily.
You may want to consider suburbs with shorter commutes if you’re looking for something a little more affordable.
It’s essential to keep in mind that the quality of your life doesn’t just depend on how much money you make or what kind of house you live in, but also on things like work-life balance and commute time. If it takes an hour to get home, you’ll spend less time with loved ones. That means less drive time and greater flexibility to spend evenings with loved ones instead of fighting traffic on your way home from work.
A few tips on what to do if you’re struggling with the idea of moving closer or farther away from your job to find a better balance between home and work life!
Aim to keep your commute time below 30 minutes, and you’ll be able to work more efficiently with better morale. If it takes an hour or longer just to get home from work, then you’re giving up two days worth of free time a year! That’s the equivalent of missing a week from your life every year!
If a move doesn’t make sense for you due to family obligations, consider working around them. For example, if it’s just too far to go back and forth, consider spending more time at home or work while trying to find an office job closer by that will allow you to have weekends off without sacrificing your career.
If you’re able to work from home, then consider working out a deal with the company so that they can pay for some or all of your internet costs in exchange for more flexibility around hours and days spent at the office! It’s worth it if it means reducing commute time and increasing happiness while on the job.
Final Notes:
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this post, but there are two major takeaways. The first thing to consider when it comes to your career is whether or not you can find an optimal commute distance that still allows you enough time for work and personal life. Regarding home buying, the rule of thumb is to avoid commuting any more than 30 minutes each way if possible because longer commutes have been shown to increase stress levels significantly over time. Thankfully, we live in such a large country with so many different options available, which should help make finding the right place easier!
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