Commuting Experience?
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Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Chaps,

The agent has just been on the phone with a rather lucrative gig, only trouble is that its in Basildon, Essex.

Anyone have experience of commuting from Berkshire to Essex?

Am I mad for even considering it??

I used to do Henley to Tottenham and that was a killer. Its about the same distance on a similar route so I am not at all sure to be honest and would be grateful if anyone could post experiences if they have them.

Chim_Knee

12,689 posts

286 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Is it lucrative in the personal growth area as we as financially. Just remind yourself of how you felt when you had to commute.

Do you really think you can do it again?

I only say that as a reminder of what it's like to be a commuter. I know that I'd probably think "it wasn't THAT bad really" had I been out of it for a while.

Good news about the offer though, eh?!

off_again

13,917 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Mmm tough call. The only way to really know is to try it out for yourself. However, you should be going against most of the traffic at that point. Most M25 traffic in the morning will be going from the M40, A1, M1 and M11 turnings anti-clockwise. So since you are going the opposite way it should be at least moving.

The only problem I can see is the choke-points where they have expanded it to 4 lanes. Basildon isnt that bad a place to get in and around though, buts its a bit further than you might think.

A quick look at maps.google.co.uk gives a travel time of 1h 44mins (approx) for a journey of about 71 miles. Thats 140 a day and at least 3 hours in the car. That makes a working day pretty long and tough. Do you need to there each and every day? I am a home worker as much as possible so travel times are pretty meaningless to me. But when you are looking at 15 hours a week just in commuting time it might just make it too hard....

Your call obviously, but I personally wouldnt (unless the money was so good that it would be daft not to!).

Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Nah its a straight contract gig so I would be learning little to be honest, its more an insurance policy for them should an urgent requirement come in or if something goes tits up.

Train is right out so it would be a drive and you are right, Wimbledon was bad enough...

I have thought about getting a room 4 nights a week in a Lintern Travel Tavern (Oh hello, I wonder if you could send someone up, I appear to have become bored and dismantled my Corby trouser press) but the issue there is 'er indoors would be house bound as she works from home and needs to be in in the evening for the little 'un.

>> Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 20th July 13:21

angusfaldo

2,831 posts

303 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
That sounds like quite a tought commute. Into West london, cross town and then out again. Probably at least 2 changes, maybe 3 depending on tube options.

I managed a year of Herts into Kings Cross, tube to Tower Gateway and DLR to Canary Wharf. At best it was 90 mins and without even moaning about the cost it was really destructive stuff. Used to get home in a stinking mood and family would feel the brunt of it, just at the time of day when they were pleased to see me.

It would have to be a big incentive to make me do that again. Is it really worth it? Or is it an option to move closer?

Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Train is Windsor>Richmond>West Ham>Basildon

2 hours 24 mins and £19 ( robbery)

Also I used to live in Chelsea so understand that football trains arent the nicest things in the world...

Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Blimey, that is robbery.

The Windsor Waterloo train is £14 but at least thats 55 minutes, with 16 stops...

puggit

49,794 posts

277 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all


Wait for them to build the CrossRail first

I do Reading-Chiswick every day in the car - 35 miles, 90 minutes. I work for a very successful market leader.

I have a job interview at 5pm, a mere 4 miles across Reading with a small company - enough said

rich1231

17,340 posts

289 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Tell you what, take it and I'll rent you a luxury flat with Secure parking in Southend, for £850 a month. Its a few hundred yards from either Southend Vic and Southend Central stations too and will take just 20 min.

:-) Sorted

JagLover

46,756 posts

264 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
I wouldn't do that length of commute long term-particularly since my idea of hell is a congested motorway.

How long will it be for?

Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
3 months initially.

Trouble is, my ideal job (really once in a lifetime type stuff) may come up literally across the road from me, had the first interview and that was great. However that hinges on a deal that may or may not be signed within an indeterminate time frame.

If it comes off, the job is there, if not then it isnt. So I have balance between availability and material wants thrown into the mix as well.

Incorrigible

13,668 posts

290 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
I did the contract thing 120 miles away without the added pressure of a 2 year old

It paid for a lot of stuff, so that's nice. But it was tough

I second the flat share idea but your SO would have to pop over at some point during the week I guess depending on her workload

If it's for 3 months I'd take it. You can always stop after that knowing that if a 6 month one comes up that you wouldn't touch it with a bargepole

mechsympathy

58,642 posts

284 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
If you're facing 15 hrs in the car each week, could you stay over and do 4 long days? That makes far more sense than a daily commute.

(It is the summer... would a bike make it easier?)

Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

299 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Staying over was my first thought but it complicates things with the little 'un.

Bikes - nice idea and I love the look of them, most Ducati's and the new R1 I think are approaching works of art but they scare me rigid quite frankly.

mechsympathy

58,642 posts

284 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Plotloss said:
Staying over was my first thought but it complicates things with the little 'un.


It can't be much worse than leaving before it (she, IIRC?) is up and getting home after bedtime. I do realise your SO might like a life though.

Plotloss said:
Bikes - nice idea and I love the look of them, most Ducati's and the new R1 I think are approaching works of art but they scare me rigid quite frankly.


I like your style, but I was thinking along the lines of a big scooter