Thoughts on Commuting Twice a Week between Canberra and Sydney

Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 08:15
Last edited 28/11/2023 - 10:15 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,

I wanted your thoughts on if this would be manageable to do for a few years.

Live in Boorowa > Work 2 days in the office in Sydney > Drive back to Boorowa.

My parents own a house in Sydney that I can sleep over the two days I'm in Sydney. Once I finish my second day in the office I would go to my parents house, recover then drive back to my house in Boorowa.

It would be one trip to Sydney from Boorowa, Work 2 days in Sydney. Then drive back to Boorowa after my second day. Rinse and repeat.

Keen on what you guys think.

Education & Work ACT Canberra New South Wales Sydney

Comments

  • Stewardo on 28/11/2023 - 08:21
    +4

    Why not just move into your parents house and avoid going to Boorowa?

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:47

      Thanks @Stewardo I was living at my parents house, but with the increase of house prices and buying witb my partner we decided to buy in Boorowa and then work in Canberra long term.

      However I do have a pretty good job in Sydney and pays well, all I need to do is be in the office 2 days a week.

      And i can also sleep at my parents house for free.

  • 1st-Amendment on 28/11/2023 - 08:24
    +1

    I did this for a year going the other way. Just over 3 hrs each Monday morning then back again Wednesday afternoon.
    It was manageable if you got the timing right. I'd leave at 5am to beat the traffic so was a clean run to Canberra, then left at lunchtime Wednesday to beat the evening rush in Sydney
    It also helps if you have a comfortable car with cruise control (there's always cops on that road), put on some good music or podcasts and get in the zone.

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:48

      Thanks @1st-Amendment
      We have been deiving back and forth now for a few months, its not too bad of a drive. I do out on cruise control and listen to some music and before I know it im 1 hour away from home.

      Its not a back and forth drive too as I will be driving to Sydney, staying a night, then driving the next night out to Boorowa.

  • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 08:31

    I mean if the drive is not a chore and relaxing for you then why not.

    But personally i am not a fan of travelling unless someone else is driving even then shorter commute is my vote.

    Job must be really good for the long drive. It just feels like you will be spending your pay on petrol but at the same time you will have good options for food and shopping along the way so wouldn't be all that bad.

    Ultimately not efficient imho but if you get to still spend time with parents and have a variety of Canberra and Sydney life could be a nice balance.

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:50

      Thanks @AlienC
      Thats what i was thinking, there are plenty of people that go for a long drive on the weekend and then drive back the same day. Whereas i would be driving then staying the night at my parents and driving back the next day.

      Its also good cause i get to visit my parents and sleep a night there.

      I do have the option of working in Canberra but i have a good job in Sydney that pays me okay and it only requires me in the office 2 days a week which i can do back to back.

  • Gunnar on 28/11/2023 - 08:40
    +2

    I know a few people who regularly did that commute and all had to say the same thing, it gets old really quick

    Closest to your situation was a friend who had accommodation in Sydney and would travel up every 1-2 weeks. She really hated it and they ended up moving back to Sydney

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:51

      Thanks Gunnar for the insight. It could get tiring, if so ill have to look for a job in canberra.

      • Gunnar on 28/11/2023 - 14:54
        +1

        If you’re in a position to try it knowing that you’ll be okay (or have a plan b) if it doesn’t work out then you’ve got nothing to lose. Try it.

        • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:56

          Thanks mate, I was keen on getting peoples thoughts so appreciate you commenting.

          I guess i wont know unless i try and see

          • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 15:05
            -1

            @Jasow4444: Oh yeah this reminds me of a coworker now who had a long commute something like 1 to 1.5 hours one way each day.

            She had to quit after a year because the commute was really long.

            Hopefully you find peace and fun in your one I like the idea of podcasts or some show maybe in the background.

            My choice would be something like Joe Rogan because that man is a machine and has years of content to go through and makes episodes like almost every day if not every other day.. man is a machine.

            • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 15:18

              @AlienC: Thanks for the suggestion @AlienC!

              I enjoy listening to Joe Rogan too, especially when he has the likes of Elon Musk and others on!

              I know what you mean a 1.5hour commute a day to work then 1.5hour to go back everyday is rough! Thats why im fortunate to just need to come in 2 days a week.

              There are lots of people that do a commute like that everyday and dont realise how long it actually is. Reason it comes up here is the distance between the places but i think its manageable for two drives a week.

              • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 16:28
                +1

                @Jasow4444: I agree two days a week feels a lot more manageable.

                I used to do a 1.5 hour one way commute five days a week and it wasn't so bad but I was also new in the job so I was eager to please.

                I know a heck of a lot better now haha lol.

                So many life lessons still to be learnt I just wish I could know them now before I am forced to later.

                So many life lessons to learn.

  • SmiTTy on 28/11/2023 - 08:46
    +1

    I think its manageable but it depends on the individual. If you think you can do it, I guess the only way to know with certainty is to give it a go.

  • apsilon on 28/11/2023 - 08:52

    Once I finish my second day in the office I would go to my parents house, recover then drive back to my house in Boorowa.

    Are you sleeping in the office the first night?

    Anyway, it'd be manageable but no way I'd do it unless the pay was amazing. You're losing 6 - 7 hours a week in travel, at least 12 full days per year.

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:53

      Thanks Guys, i would be sleeping at my parents house in Sydney, having dinner and taking some goodies with me and driving back.

      I know a few people that go on long weekend trips which total more then 3 hours driving a day, i also know some people that deive 3 hours a day back and forth to work everyday.

      This would only be a drive to sydney, a night break, then drive back the next night.

  • foxmulder on 28/11/2023 - 08:53
    +5

    Man wish Australia has its own Shinkansen or Maglev.

    • boomramada on 28/11/2023 - 09:02
      -2

      Need more population for that. Train can handle 1000ppl and there about 100+ trains per day, can empty entire Canberra in few days lol

      • Stewardo on 28/11/2023 - 12:23

        If you build it they will come.

        • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 15:06
          -1

          Yeah I really want to try a maglev train but don't want to travel outside of NSW just to try it.

          My fear it will become too expensive to operate and go the way of the monorail.

          But yeah honestly whoever does it has my vote for a Shinkansen or Maglev fast bullet train.

      • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 15:10
        -1

        Also probably have to compete with the highways so the automotive industry lobbyists.

        More roads highways etc = more cars = more automotive industry profits

      • 1st-Amendment on 28/11/2023 - 15:26
        +2

        Need more population for that

        No we don't. The Sydney Melbourne corridor has over 10 million people and is one of the highest volume transport routes in the world. A genuine 300km/h+ high speed rail stopping in Canberra could do the trip in about 4 hours, similar to flying once you take into account transit to and from airports.

        And here's the kicker, the population is only going to keep on increasing so it's not a matter of if but when. And every year you leave it, the more expensive it gets.

        • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 16:30

          Man you have sold me.

          4 hours is like 2 movies and a nap or a very nice binge watching session.

          Just add a fish and chips shop or kfc/maccas on the train and that sounds like heaven to me.

  • freefall101 on 28/11/2023 - 08:58

    Depends if there's a long term point to it. If you're doing it because it offers something then it'll make it a lot easier. Also depends on how much your work factors in that travel time, if you need to do 10 hour days while you're in Sydney it's going to be pretty tiring and make working the other 3 days pretty hard. But if you can come in late/leave early it'll be a lot easier.

    Personal situation matters more though. It's not the kind of thing you do for fun, if there's other job opportunities then I'd look at those or look at moving to Sydney for a few years (especially if there is an actual benefit to you being in the office there, I know remote work is a nice perk but extra days and more face time can be a good career builder). Your local family/life in Boorowa and what you give up.

    The drive is the easy part. I spent years travelling a lot for work and anything is doable. 6-7 hours a week is less than what my pre-covid commute was.

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:55

      Thanks @freefall101 for the good comment. I appreciate your time.

      I have an estabilshed job in Sydney at a bank, i can WFH most of the week but expected to be in 2 days a week.

      I could also leave that job and work in Canberra which would be what i will do if it gets too hard. I also would need to check on my parents so i thought why not do both and i get to sleep a night at my parents.

  • holdenmg on 28/11/2023 - 09:05

    Hi,
    There seems to be a 899 Bus from Boorowa to Canberra (some days) and then a connecting Bus or Train? to Sydney.

  • dust on 28/11/2023 - 11:28
    +4

    I wouldn't do it. That's a lot of your life spent at work and travelling to work.

    • AlienC on 28/11/2023 - 15:09
      -1

      Yeah I personally can't see doing this as I would rely on public transport and the hygiene on the trains lately have been disgusting can't even get comfortable enough to watch a movie or youtube.

      If they really made public transport a bit nicer I think a lot of people would leave their cars at home and just use it for work and travel.

  • mini2 on 28/11/2023 - 11:47

    It's tiring, even if it's just once a week. This shit gets old REAL quick, never mind the mileage you'll be clocking up. Think of the maintenance, tyres, petrol etc.

    I've done this route non-stop for nearly 9 years, and the commute has worsened in the last few years. Thanks to COVID, I can now do my job remotely full-time and I dread the few times I have to head back into the office this year. It sucked.

    • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 14:59

      Thanks for the comment. I can see it getting annoying long term.
      In terms of car wear and tear i was checking it out and instead of servicing yearly i juet service 6 monthly. I have a 2021 venue so its easy to maintain and sownt consume much fuel.

      Infact they say highway kms are easier on the car then city driving.

      I think if it gets annoying ill have to work in Canberra which is an hour and a half away.

      • mini2 on 30/11/2023 - 13:38

        I don't know what's your specialty/field, but I thought rates are generally better in Canberra than in Sydney?

        You could probably do a daily return trip from Boorowa to Canberra. I know a few blokes who lives in Goulburn and works in the southside and commute daily. Hell, that's about the same distance from Sydney to the gong…

        • Jasow4444 on 30/11/2023 - 18:08

          I work in IT, i know there are many jobs in Canberra in that field and its great and what made us choose buying in Boorowa.

          However just for a few years while im established in my well paying easy job im willing to drive from Boorowa to Sydney. If it gets too much ill have to change jobs.

  • Drakesy on 28/11/2023 - 12:25
    -1

    Fark that.

  • Muzeeb on 28/11/2023 - 18:15

    Hey OP

    Allow private messaging on your account. Cheers

  • Ten on 28/11/2023 - 18:38
    +1

    Canberra is in the title but not in the equation?

    • Muzeeb on 28/11/2023 - 20:12
      +1

      Everyone knows where Canberra is. Only a minority know where Boorowa is. It's just of the road.

      • Jasow4444 on 28/11/2023 - 23:21

        Yeah I put Canberra in the title cause its more known, but Boorowa is just off Canberra and so its similar scenario

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