How Many Of You Have Started A New Job In A Different City..Commuting!

slow&rusty · 02-01-2009, 07:55 AM

Just thought I would ask. I am considering a job in a different city. I have a home that will (realistically) take some time to sell in this market and looking at a job in a totally different city, so will actually come back home on the weekends. It will be a big adjustment living in Hotel or renting an apartment from Monday to Friday and then fly home on the weekends. The job itself will be a great opportunity and I am looking forward to that, so every bitter has a sweet.

With a lot of folks going through changes in this time, any of you facing or "living" a similar situations and if so, how is it going?

Yasin

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I commuted for six months between SoCal and NorCal. Left Sunday night so I'd be in the office first thing Monday AM, and returned Friday afternoon. The positive was the absolute focus on the new job. The weekends felt like sprints though, and packing up on Sunday eve always made me a little sad. But in the long-run, I have no regrets, it was a great career move, and now I live someplace I really like.

Seahawk · 02-01-2009, 08:05 AM

I've done it twice, not including deployments.

There was a recent thread, very similar to your query that had a lot of great insight.

PM me if you want...I made some mistakes that I corrected, simple fixes

I wish you the best. It is not easy, but it can be done.

equality72521 · 02-01-2009, 08:17 AM

I commuted daily between Indianapolis and Cincinnati for 6 months. I'll never do it again.

Vipergrün · 02-01-2009, 09:56 AM

I did it twice while trying to re-locate back to CA from CO, each stint was 2-3 months. Flew home alternate weekends. The first time I stayed with my Father-in-law, the second time I was in our 'new' house in CA. Personally, I both loved and needed the time away. I was able to focus on work. I think it gave the wife and I a much needed appreciation for each other. There was a bit of the "worlds colliding" syndrome when the wife and kids did move out, though

Go for it, you'll never know...

legion · 02-01-2009, 10:22 AM

Rick Lee did it. IIRC, he is renting out his old house.

I'm switching offices on Monday. My commute is going from 2.5 miles to .75 miles.

Zeke · 02-01-2009, 10:37 AM

I have worked out of town on a few occasions over the years. 2 of the occasions were for 2 months and 3. It really upsets your routine. I found myself drinking a lot more after work and doing a lot less of anything. Meanwhile, on the home front, things needing to be done were stacking up. Weekends were hectic.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

I've done it when I moved here at 40. One of the very best things I've ever done in my life!

The commute was more for business than anything, winding things down took about a year overall.

Keep your eye on the goal, maintaining the postive experience.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Do you have family? A wife and kids? Here are a few things that happened while I was away from home.

- Long time family dog is dying.
- Wife's vehicle breaks down. ($300 DIY repair costs $1500 at shop)
- Water leak at the house.
- Wife gets in a car accident 8 months pregnant.
- Wife gets the flu and spends a week in bed.

Sure, if you commute, you can get a lot of work done, but you will also be pretty darn lonely, with nobody to come home to every night. You will likely gain weight from eating out daily - lunch and dinner. Also, good luck managing the expectations at work, once the family shows up and you don't put in 12 hour days any more.

In summary: Get your family to your new location ASAP. Rent an apartment until you sell your old house, then buy a new one in the new location. If you have kids in school, start your new job as close to summer as possible.

Jobs are important, but your kids are young only once.

George