Commute/Salary factor: What's worth more?

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

Read through the "long commute" posting and it got me thinking. What is the your position on the "commute-for-more-money" or "don't-commute-for-less money"?

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

It's probably easier to justify commute / salary if you don't have kids or a spouse - thinking that's a lot of it. That being said, if it's a minor increase then it's not worth the extra money. If you can't control when you come and go (to avoid traffic) it's not worth the money. Usually, between positions the salary differential isn't enough to justify the commute.

And above all, if it cuts into family time, it's not worth the extra money... Unless you're doubling your salary, then forget about it.

Since I'm self employed therefore have no one who gives a salary to me, or does my work I'm forced to drive and commute..

However, my commute brings me past this...

Setting your own hours and schedule is nice. that's the trick.

rjp

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Simple economics. Figure out how much the commute is costing you in gas, parking, wear & tear on your car, etc. I use my 951 as the vehicle for such calculations and if I end up driving the 944 or riding the motorcycle or taking the train, I consider it a "bonus". This is simply to come up with a dollar value. Let's say it comes out to $700 a month, which is close to what mine is.

When I interview for new jobs, I start with current salary and add 10% as a starting asking salary. Adjust for commuting savings. That's what I ask. If they agree, I entertain the offer, if not, I round-file it. I don't believe in EVER taking a salary cut, but I'd certainly accept a less-than-"standard" salary increase to go somewhere new. The way I figure it, the 10% number about covers the "cost" of having to start over at a new place, learn their system of business, be the "new guy" and prove yourself, the loss of "better" benefits & 401k matching and so-on at the current place, etc. It's to offset that and give a little upward bump to the take-home. Last three job transfers I've done I all got the 10% and then some - so it's not unrealistic at all.

In general though, I probably wouldn't commute further than I do currently. An hour-ish each way is plenty. I used to work at a place four miles away and rode my mountain bike to work daily. It was awesome. I'd do it again given the chance.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

What's the cost of wear-and-tear on your nerves due to the longer commute? I'd opt for living closer to work, if possible. Of course, I'm living in the rudest part of the country, so YMMV.

jdlowery · 07-09-2006, 11:42 AM

I had this same dilemma a few years ago. Company A offered a bigger sign on bonus, stock options, bonus plan and a higher salary. However, the commute was hell. The distance wasn't bad it was the CA congestion that was the killer. The day of my interview I was an hour late in arriving. I called on my cell to explain the situation. I spoke with the department admin who assured me it was OK because half the people I was to meet with were also stuck in traffic. At that moment I decided no matter what they offered I could not accept. I accepted Company B's offer. The salary wasn't as high, the sign on bonus wasn't as high, no stock options and no bonus plan. I'm convinced I made the right decision. A few years later I left Company B and went to Company C for more money, bonus plan, sign on, still no stock options but twelve minutes from my house. Albeit, Company B is a better all around company but you just can't beat being twelve minutes from home. No traffic on a two lane freeway and I ride my motorcycle to work everyday.

masraum · 07-09-2006, 11:49 AM

30-40 minutes and 20-30 miles isn't that big a deal if you can avoid the worst of the traffic. Anything longer in time or distance and I'm definitely going to need to see a benefit every other friday/twice a month/whatever.

Right now my commute is about 10 miles and 15-20 minutes with very little traffic.

jtkkz · 07-09-2006, 11:54 AM

bob
my wife and I discussed that same question, a few yars ago
she opted for the 2 mile commute and kept her same job.

keep the cars low mileage

widgeon13 · 07-09-2006, 12:09 PM

I confronted this issue on a number of occasions and always decided against the decision to commute into Manhattan (Big Apple). I calculated that a position in Manhattan had to offer a premium of 40% over what I was currerntly getting and that was after I figured in the commutation fees (train), wear and tear on suits, and value of my time away from family. I traveled about 60% of the time anyway. While I did get offers that met these criteria I aways decided against the change because I had a pretty great job and ended up spending 30 years with the same company and retiring early. No reservations about any of the decisions along the way.

sammyg2 · 07-09-2006, 12:39 PM

I recently changed jobs. The new job pays more (around $30k more) but the daily commute is about 1 hour and 20 minutes total compared to 45 minutes total for the last job. The new job is only 4 days a week compared to 6 days for the old job so that had a big influence.

For me it is a matter of degree.
my current commute is just about as long as I would accept, even if the money was substantially more.
I only have so many hours in a day and so much free time. Once the free time is all gone, I have nothing but scheduled time which is unacceptable. If a commute is so long it eliminates all my free time, it isn't worth it any more.
I work to enjoy my life and have a good life for myself and my kids.
When the job gives me money but does not increase the quality of my life it isn't worth having any more.