New Job or Keep Communting?
Asked by Bruce
57000 with 75 to 90 minute commute one way. ~43000 with 10 minute commute one way. (about 280 dollars less a month after Taxes and Gas/Maintance) Im 22, and the long commute is getting to me among other things. I have almost no material desires except for owning a house one day, which I can do with either salary. I guess the big thing is the better paying Job allows me to own a house quicker (save up for downpayment sooner). Its almost funny, but one weekend I went outside at Noon and got a strange feeling when I saw sun light. That kinda feeling you get when you you recognize something after a long time :( Im young and living with the rents for 6 more months. Then im moving out, and putting money aside monohtly for their retirement as a thank you kinda thing. As for moving... I live in the country, I hate the city. its about 200 dollars a month cheaper to live out here then over there. It would solve the commute problem, but Id be away from all of my friends and family. (The people at work are 55+ or 30 somthing and getting married. Just awkard i guess with the age difference.) We get along at work... but what are we gonna talk about besides their medical problems which is very common discussion, lol.

Best Answer:
$3,360 in gas/maintenance is a lot. You're not even adding in your time and effort into that price. Think about it this way, you get paid $27 an hour at the $57K a year rate. That's $81/day to commute (round trip). So that's $405/week, which turns out to be quite a bit over a year. You're wasting time and money driving to a job that's so far away. Not to mention what it will do to your car over a long time period (and your sanity). Working closer is the much better deal.

quality of life is most important so take the 10 minute job and you are going to save lots on hte gasoline.' new job with earning potentials I am in the same shape they keep screwing with my hours and going to take anohter job real fast. I am convinced that I will not be in my job at the end of the month. qualtiy of life is most imporant and I will take a pay cut.
Answered by Michael M

Take the 57K Instead of commuting what about just moving closer. You indicate you don't own a house so that means renting. Move closer to your job. You can always drive back to your old neighborhood when you have time off if you have friends there. This is 2008. Odds are this won't be your last move in you life.
Answered by youngboy1606

If it were me, and I liked both jobs equally, I'd take the pay cut and save the drive/gas money. With the 3 hours you're saving each day, you can get a second job that pays more than the 280 dollars per month. That way you're being more productive, saving more money, and not waiting in traffic for ~500 hours per year.
Answered by andrew v

Pick the job that has the most growth potential. The commute might be worth it in the long run, if it sets you up for better jobs in the future (even if it's not with this company). Don't job hop- it will really look bad on your resume.
Answered by sarah jane