Long time lurker here. I'm doing some university research on the impact on long distance commuting and would love to get some thoughts from the ozbargain community.
Why do you commute and how long? (money, lifestyle etc.)
Is it worth it?
How does it affect your quality of life?
If you have one minute (literally only 60 seconds I promise) I'd also really appreciate it if you could fill out this survey.
https://goo.gl/forms/AnBnyMKQZbW8g1wn2
Why do you commute and how long? (money, lifestyle etc.)
Is it worth it?
How does it affect your quality of life?
Money / Good Company
3 hrs total / 1.5 each way
No its not, have no choice
Negatively
"Money / Good Company
3 hrs total / 1.5 each way
No its not, have no choice
Negatively"
Thumbs up for honesty Billy!
First world problems :D … its rough, it could be worse though
"Toot toot! Make way for the logical fallacy train," Engineer TheBilly cried, waving his fallacy of relative privation flag out the window.
Edit: "Toot toot! Daabido made an idiot of himself by not reading the comment in context!"
Ouch. I would hate going to work every morning. Can't you move closer?
Yes I will soon maybe in 6 months or so, fingers crossed ! Im taking care of an elderly set in their ways sick family member who I have almost convinced to move with us :)
Good man.
Done.
I walk 5 meters from my bed to work. Once in a while I stub my toe. Sometimes I drink tea.
Are you a plumber?
Can't you move closer to work?
I've tried to ensure all my jobs have been within a 15 minute drive, apart from one I've been successful. I actually left that job simply because of the commute. I can't do it, working full-time is horrid and soul-crushing enough, but quite literally wasting close to two hours of your life, precious little that you have left after the work itself, outside of that, every day, feels devastating to an existential extent. I'd rather hang from the rafters.
Have you managed to maintain similar pay? thats my problem so far. All the good companies are in the city etc.
Sorry but what's the difference between a business professional and an office worker for this purpose? And what to trades people answer? I'm guessing tradies are 'business professionals' here? I usually think of 'office worker' as doing 'admin' type work that is done in an office, not the 'professional qualification required' type work that happens in an office … so, given I'm a professional working in a business, which is in an office, what am I?
Can I suggest refining the questions a bit more (maybe it's too late)? Maybe ask what method of commuting as one of the questions. I mean, I walk 15-20 minutes (each way) to work and I consider that commuting. It's good for my health to walk, but the air in the CBD probably isn't good for my health.
If it helps, I choose to live in locations that reduce my commute as much as I can, because I've seen enough previous research to show that longer commutes typically negatively impact quality of life/health.
Thanks for your feedback. For this initial survey I have tried to keep it brief but will definitely consider this when doing more research.
Yes, I find public transport more relaxing, convenient, and cheaper than driving and parking. Also, depending which form I take, I walk +/- 15 minutes which is good for me ; spend my day at a desk. So positive.
Re design, it may have been worth including what you mean by commute, and asking what means people are using.
It's up to your own discretion, if you feel they both don't suit please feel free to use the 'Other' option and enter your specific occupation. Thank you for taking the time though, it's much appreciated.
Private seat, air conditioning, good music, snacks and drinks, no bo and direct from home to work. The money isn’t bad either.
Done. GL. Commuting to/from work is the worst part of the day.
I wouldn't mind commuting if everyone on PT in Melbourne wasn't such surly pollyannas
Completed form to help you out =)
all these surveys by undergrads have already been done in better, larger studies. the point is they're compulsory for students
Not an easy survey for me to complete. 2days per week I cycle to work. 20-30min each way, I like it, de-stresses me, keeps me fit but taking longer than driving does mean I need to get up earlier and I get home a bit later on occasion. When I’m keen(not winter) I can stretch it to 60-90min ride one way.
3 days per week I don’t have the time to cycle commute due to kiddie duties, but the 10min drive commute doesn’t impact family as much, but I’d rather ride and I need to think about alternatives for exercise at some other time.
I cycle to work, through choice, for fitness, my time and environment, fastest times, to work 6.30 minutes, home 9.30 minutes. I have a car sitting there if needed on bad weather days, gets used 10 or so times a year. Using the car only shortens the time a bit, 3.3Ks each way so pretty quick using either transport.
Why do you commute and how long? (money, lifestyle etc.): my commute is probably 40 mins each way, because I drive my partner to work too. It’s definitley worth it, the extra 10 I spend driving my partner to work definitely changes my mornings and makes work easier to deal with and is a massive consideration for me when looking for jobs.
Is it worth it?: yes
How does it affect your quality of life?: mostly positively, i have issues with my joints and muscles and start stop traffic can leave me in a lot of pain but I get to spend more time with my partner that I’d lose out on if I worked in a different area which is invaluable really :)
Will do your survey now
Hi, I commute by train. 30 mins train journey plus approx 30 mins walking. I’m lucky as I live 10 mins away from a train station and work in the cbd, so work is 10 mins from a train station at the other end. So 2 hours of commuting per day. I love the commute as I get to read, relax or just take time out and the walk keeps me healthy.
I commute by train then tram for the final mile. About 1h 10 door to door, 45-50 minutes of which is spent on the train. The time I spend on the train isn't dead time since I can actually get stuff done on the train…5 minute walk from home to train and 2 minutes from the tram to work. I sometimes walk to the train on my way home which extends my commute to 1h20-1.5 hours, but I get some exercise in. I'd love nothing more than to commute an hour in the other direction (away from the city) but my job doesn't exist outside of the CBD :(
A shorter commute would actually diminish my quality of life - smaller/crappier/noisier apartment, I'd have to write off the commute time since I can't get work/reading/sleeping done on the way, less discretionary income, etc. Yes, Sydney cost of living is completely mad. Heck if would improve my quality of life significantly to get a job anywhere but Sydney…no point having attractions if you can't afford any of them. Besides, it's nice to come home to a nice home at the end of a long workday.
Survey done
It takes me more than 1.5 hours return commuting even though I live pretty close to the city. The thing that annoys me the most is there is literally no reason that I couldn't do my job from home. Hell, my company could open a few smaller offices outside of the city if they really want people to come into an office, and make the commute less for everyone. The rent we're paying on our multiple floors in the CBD can't be cheap
I’m with you here. I’ve been told I’m not allowed to work from home despite having a disability, when my boss never rocks up on a Monday just because she felt like working from home. About 10% of my job needs to be completed at work, and even that’s just because of poor processes that could be improved.
Income. Not many choices for my line of work in the country.
45min drive each way.
completed the survey. I don't see how commuting is anything but a negative aspect. Especially if the bus/train/tram breaks and you need to get on a replacement bus or something. And public transport is always overcrowded.
Survey done. Hope it helps