My worst was a brief 8 month stay in Broadstairs. 6.20am train from Broadstairs to London Bridge, arrive 8.10am, 10 min walk to work
5.35pm train home, arrive in Broadstairs at 7.20pm, home about 7.35pm. Eat and pretty much straight to bed. Only lasted 8 months
Every time I harbour the occasional thoughts of moving down that way, I remind myself of this ball ache and attached cost.
It's not for me and I was 29/30 at the time, only had to move down there when my mother in law passed away and my ex wanted to be closer to her old man which was fine by me. I don't think we would have ever entertained it had that not happened, as both our jobs were in London, and you don't really read of any 29 year old and 26 year old couples making that sort of move. Can understand it if you are a bit older and your family situation is different, but the commute was a killer and it just eats into your day
Think you do get immune to commuting, even when I was doing Battle to Canary Wharf I got used to it pretty quickly even though it took up four hours of my day and 6k of my money. Thankfully in these days of iPads and BBC iplayer the time pretty much flies by. Even get used to the delays and cancellations, it’s just something you have to do if you want the better wages that London offers.
saying that I’m now very happy with my 15 minute drive into sunny Bexhill even though I’m earning 14k a year less than I was previously. Money isn’t everything, more quality time with the wife and the dogs and evening meal at a more reasonable hour.
Large are you down in Eastbourne
No, a village called Ninfield, between Battle and Bexhill.
Its incredible how used to things you get. I have a 45 min train ride, with a 15 min walk both sides of each station...... I have tried working from home more and the issue I have then is i end up sitting on my laptop too late into the evening because there isnt the 'hard stop' that leaving the office and getting on the train offers.
I'll tell you what is bad - working in an office in LA.
When I first started going out there I had visions of cruising down PCH with the roof down in year round sunshine.
Feck that - there isnt any cruising in the sun. More like leaving in the dark all year cos thats the only way to beat the insane traffic. And even then you spend most of your time doing 10 mph with a monster truck in front of you belching out smoke into your field of vision.
get the 6.15 every morning from Welling to Cannon St, at desk before 7am, then out shortly after 4 for the 4.15 train home and indoors by 5. One day a week drive to office in Maldon, Essex - do roughly the same times and just under a hours drive each way. My company now are really good with flexible working etc.
Can WFH whenever I like really and do more of it now, I literally cannot stand the commute to London anymore - having done it for 25+ years now. Would love to do something different, but a decent salary + 4 kids means I'm in it for the long haul.....only another 20 years to go.
get the 6.15 every morning from Welling to Cannon St, at desk before 7am, then out shortly after 4 for the 4.15 train home and indoors by 5. One day a week drive to office in Maldon, Essex - do roughly the same times and just under a hours drive each way. My company now are really good with flexible working etc.
Can WFH whenever I like really and do more of it now, I literally cannot stand the commute to London anymore - having done it for 25+ years now. Would love to do something different, but a decent salary + 4 kids means I'm in it for the long haul.....only another 20 years to go.
It must take you a while to get from Eltham to Welling every morning.
Marden (near Staplehurst) to Brighton 2 days a week, train with changes at Tonbridge, Redhill & Gatwick Airport takes 2:30 door to door or if I drive like I did this morning 1:45 > 2.05...killer.
The other 2 days is Marden to Old Street, that journey feels like heaven at 55 minutes into Cannon St and then the bus.
Marden (near Staplehurst) to Brighton 2 days a week, train with changes at Tonbridge, Redhill & Gatwick Airport takes 2:30 door to door or if I drive like I did this morning 1:45 > 2.05...killer.
The other 2 days is Marden to Old Street, that journey feels like heaven at 55 minutes into Cannon St and then the bus.
Fridays at home in my pants.
ever considered driving to say Hastings/St Leonards WS/Bexhill then train to Brighton - surely that has to be quicker than either of your current routes?
The newsagents in Grove Park. Did anyone ever come in, browse through the top shelf magazines and then, after making sure no one else was in the shop, asked in a hushed voice if you had anything a bit stronger?
Never sold porn mate, shop was a respectable establishment. I just whored out a couple of local smack heads
17 mile drive which usually takes 40-45 minutes (Snodland to Dartford)
As much as the traffic annoys me I simply cannot tolerate getting a train to work every day. I get to listen to what I want, at the temperature I want, I can shout at people, fart, swear and generally I am free.
17 mile drive which usually takes 40-45 minutes (Snodland to Dartford)
As much as the traffic annoys me I simply cannot tolerate getting a train to work every day. I get to listen to what I want, at the temperature I want, I can shout at people, fart, swear and generally I am free.
As a train commuter, so can I, and I find that this behaviour leaves me with plenty of space on the carriage
When I worked in Central London I had a 3 hour daily commute (from and back to Hertfordshire). An overground train and tube. The problem was, it became common for my journey to be much longer due to delays and the over crowding was challenging. It was the straw that broke the camel's back - I couldn't take it anymore.
Marden (near Staplehurst) to Brighton 2 days a week, train with changes at Tonbridge, Redhill & Gatwick Airport takes 2:30 door to door or if I drive like I did this morning 1:45 > 2.05...killer.
The other 2 days is Marden to Old Street, that journey feels like heaven at 55 minutes into Cannon St and then the bus.
Fridays at home in my pants.
ever considered driving to say Hastings/St Leonards WS/Bexhill then train to Brighton - surely that has to be quicker than either of your current routes?
I hadn't but let me take a look to see how long that is estimated at, cheers Large
Just catching up on this. I go home from Bond street, but on occasion have had to use oxford circus. Ridiculously packed
Was he okay, doesnt say on the thread
Still in a critical condition i heard earlier. But I also read that he experienced an episode I think it said before this so he must have collapsed and fallen.
Comments
I'll tell you what is bad - working in an office in LA.
When I first started going out there I had visions of cruising down PCH with the roof down in year round sunshine.
Feck that - there isnt any cruising in the sun. More like leaving in the dark all year cos thats the only way to beat the insane traffic. And even then you spend most of your time doing 10 mph with a monster truck in front of you belching out smoke into your field of vision.
get the 6.15 every morning from Welling to Cannon St, at desk before 7am, then out shortly after 4 for the 4.15 train home and indoors by 5. One day a week drive to office in Maldon, Essex - do roughly the same times and just under a hours drive each way. My company now are really good with flexible working etc.
Can WFH whenever I like really and do more of it now, I literally cannot stand the commute to London anymore - having done it for 25+ years now. Would love to do something different, but a decent salary + 4 kids means I'm in it for the long haul.....only another 20 years to go.
The other 2 days is Marden to Old Street, that journey feels like heaven at 55 minutes into Cannon St and then the bus.
Fridays at home in my pants.
As much as the traffic annoys me I simply cannot tolerate getting a train to work every day. I get to listen to what I want, at the temperature I want, I can shout at people, fart, swear and generally I am free.
https://twitter.com/ejrainfordbrent/status/1197213626924441602?s=21
Was he okay, doesnt say on the thread