Commute 1-2hr (Irvine, Marina, Malibu: rent, home, living)

[montevista1]

Does anyone commute 1-2hr to work? How does this affect your life? Is it worth it or would you rather rent closer to the city?

[Stormcrow73]

I don't live in the LA area but am thinking of relocating there. My current commute here on the east coast is over an hour 1 way easily. Bad days it's around 2 hrs one way. My personal feeling is that owning vs. renting makes the drive worthwhile. Home-ownership is the best investment us middle class folks can make. Now that said, it is a major impact on my life. I think it's taken a huge toll on my mental health and now after almost 6 years of doing it I just can't imagine it anymore. Still, our investment in a home has vastly improved our financial footing and those long hours lost in the car were probably worthwhile.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by montevista1

Does anyone commute 1-2hr to work? How does this affect your life? Is it worth it or would you rather rent closer to the city?

I wouldnt do it. 1/2 hour is my max that I would put up with. too much lost time wasted driving back and forth.

[Dennis P]

My last job was in Irvine (about 27 miles one way). On average in the morning, it took me about an hour and 15 minutes to drive on the 405 south to get to work. Going home, I usually took the 5 north to the 91 west, and that drive was usually about an hour on average, including the usual slowdowns in the usual places. The driving took a toll on my mental health after a short while, so six months later, I quit that job and found one MUCH closer, in Los Alamitos. Now my drive to work is only 15 minutes, and I feel like I have my life back!

[enlightenme]

Originally Posted by montevista1

Does anyone commute 1-2hr to work? How does this affect your life? Is it worth it or would you rather rent closer to the city?

I drove about 1.25 hours to work every day and would hit pockets of traffic. If there was a storm or an accident it would take 2 hours. I did it for three years before I snapped. I honestly don't think I would still be married to my husband if I continued with that drive. I was a raging B word when I would get home. I had to have an immediate glass of wine to just chill out. My neck and upper back was always tense too. Plus my car was a stick shift! So, to make a long story short, I would probably be an alcoholic divorcee if I continued with that commute.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

I had to do an daily afternoon commute[left at 6pm] from Westwood to Marina Del Rey(7 miles). It was living hell. It turned me into a mad-man.

Westwood to Marina should take 10 minutes max., yet it took 1 hour 20 minutes! Westwood is a nightmare. Too many tall buildings, too many people, and not enough roads.

I gave up on the 405 freeway(a mess!) and usually took Wilshire all the way to Ocean Ave(SM). Ocean to Pacific (in Venice). Then Abbot Kinney to Lincoln(Marina). All roads jammed. Still it took me over an hour.

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by newportbeachsmostwanted

I had to do an daily afternoon commute[left at 6pm] from Westwood to Marina Del Rey(7 miles). It was living hell. It turned me into a mad-man.

Westwood to Marina should take 10 minutes max., yet it took 1 hour 20 minutes! Westwood is a nightmare. Too many tall buildings, too many people, and not enough roads.

I gave up on the 405 freeway(a mess!) and usually took Wilshire all the way to Ocean Ave(SM). Ocean to Pacific (in Venice). Then Abbot Kinney to Lincoln(Marina). All roads jammed. Still it took me over an hour.

I guess I won't tell you that I live 35 miles one-way from work and on a "bad" day it takes me 40 minutes. 45 coming home, but that's only if there's a bad backup on the Spaulding Turnpike bridge.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by montevista1

Does anyone commute 1-2hr to work? How does this affect your life?

In the late 80s I commuted 75 miles one-way by car from Ventura to Vernon. It lasted eight months before the sometimes three-hour ride home broke me. One Friday afternoon I fell asleep IN TRAFFIC at a red light in Malibu. I would never commute like that again no matter what. I've since commuted around an hour or more one-way by commuter bus and rail, which I find far more tolerable and relaxing -- even enjoyable as I got to be friends with the other regulars. It's also much less costly than driving.