Job offer but bad commute

[Hillbeans]

I have been interviewing for work and found a job that I have interest in which is 16 miles away from my house. Unfortunately the 3 times i've made the drive to-from the office for interviews, i've run into terrible traffic - there is no good direct way to get there. Yesterday it took me 50 minutes to get there and close to 65 minutes coming home. This was also not during rush hour and i'm afraid to think how much worse it would be then.

The recruiter knows i've been having issues with the drive and I told her today I don't think I can take the assignment because of the traffic. Is being in 1 hour of traffic each way good reason enough to look for something else? I am not the primary wage earner so this is not $ to pay the mortgage.

 

[java]

I think that in NJ the average commute is about an hour to as much as an hour and a half.
Depends on how much you want the job and it sounds like you don't.

 

[golfgal]

Over and hour to drive 16 miles . I would have a hard time with that too.

 

[Hillbeans]

I think that in NJ the average commute is about an hour to as much as an hour and a half.
Depends on how much you want the job and it sounds like you don't.

I just ended an assignment in December which was also about 15 miles away but it took me 22 minutes to get there.

I got very, very lost my first trip there and it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes. I think the wind blew out of my sails and now i've had closed roads, pothole repair, detours each time i've made the trip. I think it's a sign.

 

[java]

Can I guess? Is it on either 22, 31 or 287?

 

[Hillbeans]

Can I guess? Is it on either 22, 31 or 287?

LOL, close - Route 206 to 518 to Route 1. All single lane roads.

 

[java]

Route 1!! I have sat often on Route 1!

 

[Handbag Lady]

It depends. The drive doesn't bother me (look where I live!) but do you like the job and it is it worth it to you.

Does it have benefits as a fall-back in case the main breadwinner has an issue? (This is a big deal to us as we've both been laid off from time to time.)

 

[MM27]

I drive about 45 miles each way, although most of it is on the Parkway, and it takes me a little under an hour on a good day. It's 22 that usually ruins it for me.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My current commute is about 40-50 minutes each way (less than 20 miles from my house). There's about 6-7 ways to get to work but they all take about the same time, I pick the least stressful way and listen to music I love (mainly jazz music) and try to ignore getting my blood pressure up because of the traffic . I've never had a job around where I live that took less than 40-50 minutes to get to because interstates and secondary roads are such a mess. I live in Yorktown, VA and used to work in Virginia Beach (25-30 miles from my house). The drive wasn't so bad during the off season but as soon as the tourists started coming in (mid-May to Mid-October) my drive to work was 1 1/2-2 hours and the same coming back. I remember one day it took me 4 1/2 hours to get home. I quickly found a new job (heading in the opposite direction of Virginia Beach) and it's been a lot less stressful. I guess you just have to ask yourself if it's worth it? Could you make that commute enjoyable with books on CD or something like that?

 

[Hillbeans]

I would be ok with the job if I didn't have to worry about being late to get the kids after school. If i'm late, the kids will be stuck and one time being late would be enough to make it not worth it.

 

[Kathi OD]

I would be ok with the job if I didn't have to worry about being late to get the kids after school. If i'm late, the kids will be stuck and one time being late would be enough to make it not worth it.

Sounds like you just made your decision; unless you can find someone to help you out in a pinch. But really, it sounds like you're looking for a reason to not take the job.

It takes me a minimum of 45 minutes to drive to and from work. Most mornings it is more than that. Kind of goes with living in NJ.

 

[dislaney]

I wouldn't do it unless you really needed the money. Traffic really stresses me out and I don't think it would be worth it to me.

 

[acejka]

Personally I would look for something else... the job isn't compensating me for my lost 2 hours of personal time every day. Especially since you mentioned your job isn't what keeps the mortgage paid.

 

[dicar123]

Worrying about the kids being stuck at school with the commute so iffy, I think I'd let this one pass. You aren't struggling to feed anyone, and it sounds like a lot of extra stress.

 

[golfgal]

I just laugh when people around here complain about traffic-they really need to read posts like this. If someone has a 15 mile commute, that MIGHT take 25 minutes in normal rush hour traffic. Now if there is a bad snowstorm it could take an hour, hour and a half. Obviously if there is an accident or something that slows things down but it isn't a daily thing.

 

[Christine]

I have a 30 mile commute (one way) that takes me between 40 minutes to an hour depending on what time I leave.

I don't think that's bad. But one hour for 16 miles. Sounds like you are riding your brakes the whole time. I wouldn't like that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would be ok with the job if I didn't have to worry about being late to get the kids after school. If i'm late, the kids will be stuck and one time being late would be enough to make it not worth it.

After reading this you know you can't take the job. You are going to be late at times.

 

[jel0511]

LOL, close - Route 206 to 518 to Route 1. All single lane roads.

This sounds right next to my house!!!!! There are back ways around that.... When I head up to Bridgewater, I NEVER take 206, I take River Rd through Manville and Belle Mead, NEVER any traffic there.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think that in NJ the average commute is about an hour to as much as an hour and a half.
Depends on how much you want the job and it sounds like you don't.

LOL - I remember when DH got switched from NYC to Princeton, an hour away, and he was thrilled! It took abut 10 minutes longer, but he no longer had to drive to the park and ride and get on a bus.