Drive to work - how far would you be willing to travel?

[The General]

Lol, phew, thought you were charging around in a Ferrari or something similary thirsty!

You are confusing MK and MrB, obv!

:winking:

 

[Jam_Man]

I drive more than that and if I do a 5 day week I use exactly one tank of petrol at a cost of £65-70 depending on petrol prices. Ford Focus 1.6 which I think has a 50L petrol tank.

My drive is 42 miles each way, including the dartford crossing and the A2, which is ok during summer but a bind during winter when the ***** drive like idiots and crash.

I wouldnt recommend it as it does get tiresome but I do put up with it because I like where I work and I do work from home to give me a break at least once a week. (Plus it doesnt take me any longer to get home than if I worked in the west end)

 

[OldBlueLady]

Even if one or other of you has a problem with living in Cambridge, there are some lovely villages in the surrounding countryside a lot closer than Stortford.

 

[Dazza]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have won the arguement so far although I think she has more or less given in. :stunned:

 

[Davros]

its when she does quiet you need to worry

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

What you need is a fake job offer in Newcastle, preferably with a female boss.

 

[londonblue]

I don't often post on here but I have read most threads daily since about 2003.

Background
I have recently taken a job in Cambridge by the airport there. I had to take this job as my girlfriend has worked for bio tech companies in Cambridge since May 2011 and she is qualified in bio chemistry. My girlfriend is from Maldon and Cambridge is the closest hub for the bio chemistry industry to home. She believes that she will have a good career and stay in the bio tech industry up in Cambridge for the next 25 years.

As I have taken this new role in Cambridge, I will find a property to rent and share with the girlfriend. Now the issue, My girlfriend has got it in to her head that we could live in Bishop’s Stortford (As many of her work colleagues do) and drive to work everyday.

I checked Google maps and to my work from Bishop’s Stortford is just short of 30miles one way, therefore it will be 60 miles x 5 days a week. My girlfriend’s work is approx the same distance as it is for me but we can’t car share as I have to travel around and have different working hours to her.

This is causing a major argument and she can’t seem to get it that between us we would travel 600miles a week which not only would rinse the petrol but the poor car would soon tire out also (further costs).Personally I want to live within a comfortable commute as I have always done for the past 8 years.

I would appreciate some sensible comments so I can have a good conversation with her!

I think you may need to think long term. 30 miles in theory will only take, say 45 minutes. However, that is an hour and a half each day, for both of you, assuming no hold ups, which there's bound to be. You're right about the amount of petrol that will use, which is very expensive these days, and I can't see prices every coming down (they might change by a couple of pence, but the overall trend will continue in an upward direction.) The first question is can you afford it, especially as it will be two cars, and two lots of wear and tear?

Now, time for a few assumptions. You're obviously serious given that you're living together. I assume you intend to stay together, be it as boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife (maybe...!) If that is the case then kids are to be expected at some point. My question therefore is around whether or not you're happy to be commuting an hour and a half each day? That's for both of you after maternity leave has been exhausted and your girlfriend goes back to work - after all she said she reckons to stay in the industry for 25 years...

I know it's much easier to work from home on these days, but do you really want to be that far away? For a few years you will probably only see your children at weekends. Personally that would kill me, I see my kids every morning and every evening, and doubt I could function if I didn't.

So, the first argument/question about cost is a good one, but isn't one that seems to be working. Therefore you may need to try something a bit more emotional, i.e. the kids question. However, I also don't believe in emotional blackmail, so only use that as an argument if you really mean it, and if it's relevant...

 

[DTS]

As an idea why not get yourself and the Mrs to do the drive in rush hour that you will be doing. Spending an hour sat in the car on a cold winters night might be the eye opener she needs.