Classic Dilemma, Better Pay, Long Commute or Lower Pay, Shorter Commute (job offers, fund)

[Augustus27]

Hello Everyone,

I have been fortunate enough to receive two job offers after graduating college. The first offer has a better salary, but has a longer commute, while the second offer has a lower salary, but a much more doable commute.

I don't have any current things holding me back financially (except for the good ole student loans), as I live at home with my parents right now.

I have done some "test drives" if you will, to see how the commute to the better paying job would fare, and it wasn't so good. At least 45 minutes to an hour in the morning, and 55 minutes, to 1 hour and a half pending on traffic and accidents.

The better paying job would be at the very least over half the time of the longer commute, (20-30 minutes), but the lower pay is making me hesitant.

Both jobs are good opportunities in the IT field, although the lower paying job is around 10-15k less in terms of salary. Obviously most people have said to take the higher paying job despite the commute, but having a good chunk of my day being taken away from commuting might not be worth the extra pay.

So please, any unbiased opinions about what actions to take.

Thanks!

[nybbler]

Are you planning on living with your parents for long? If not, take the higher-paying job, and move closer. If so, the question is about whether you can accomplish your goals with less money, and about career advancement opportunities.

Personally I'd take a 15K pay cut to take my 1hr commute down to 30 min.

[Augustus27]

My parents luckily are pretty accomodating for letting me stay at home.

My girlfriend is the one who is pushing to move out, which then affects where to move to and thus what job to choose.

The commute would get old but the higher paying company is more well known than the low paying job's company.

So it slightly complicates things.

[GiantRutgersfan]

You need to take the job with the longer commute. Especially since you are living with parents which wont last forever. The 15k difference could fund an apartment if you were to split it with your girlfriend (or roommate). You could very easily move a little closer to your job if desired (even though an hour commute is not terrible).

This might be something to consider if you were established in a career, owned a home, and made good money. Its not for someone right out of college. 15k is a big difference and working for a big name employer looks good on a resume. The salary you make out of the gate sets up your salary at the next job you work at.

[Augustus27]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

You need to take the job with the longer commute. Especially since you are living with parents which wont last forever. The 15k difference could fund an apartment if you were to split it with your girlfriend (or roommate). You could very easily move a little closer to your job if desired (even though an hour commute is not terrible).

This might be something to consider if you were established in a career, owned a home, and made good money. Its not for someone right out of college. 15k is a big difference and working for a big name employer looks good on a resume. The salary you make out of the gate sets up your salary at the next job you work at.

Moving in theory is the most logical choice for the job with the longer commute, except my girlfriend and I are trying to find somewhere halfway in between our jobs. With the longer commute, even being halfway would lead to a bad commute, while the lower paying job's commute would be a million times smoother.

Both companies are well-known, as the higher paying job is in the automotive field, and the lower paying one is in the banking industry. Both offer similar programs and are well respected.

[JTE1969]

1. Drive the long drive in a minivan.
2. Sleep overnight in the minivan in a camp cot inside the minivan.
3. Problem solved.

But you have to know how to fixup your minivan to survive winter and summer weather. I'll write a book on that.

And I do live in my minivan, so I speak the TRUTH.

[Augustus27]

Originally Posted by JTE1969

1. Drive the long drive in a minivan.
2. Sleep overnight in the minivan in a camp cot inside the minivan.
3. Problem solved.

But you have to know how to fixup your minivan to survive winter and summer weather. I'll write a book on that.

And I do live in my minivan, so I speak the TRUTH.

Lol if only life were that simple. Got any deals on any spacious minivans?

[thinkalot]

Originally Posted by Augustus27

Moving in theory is the most logical choice for the job with the longer commute, except my girlfriend and I are trying to find somewhere halfway in between our jobs. With the longer commute, even being halfway would lead to a bad commute, while the lower paying job's commute would be a million times smoother.

Both companies are well-known, as the higher paying job is in the automotive field, and the lower paying one is in the banking industry. Both offer similar programs and are well respected.

For a wife I would do the halfway thing. For a girl friend I wouldn't.

[ChessieMom]

No way would I do such a long commute. I took a considerable pay cut many years ago, to get a job with more "normal" hours and a shorter commute. It was well worth it. The pay difference is not even an issue anymore.

[ohhwanderlust]

Originally Posted by Augustus27

Hello Everyone,

I have been fortunate enough to receive two job offers after graduating college. The first offer has a better salary, but has a longer commute, while the second offer has a lower salary, but a much more doable commute.

I don't have any current things holding me back financially (except for the good ole student loans), as I live at home with my parents right now.

I have done some "test drives" if you will, to see how the commute to the better paying job would fare, and it wasn't so good. At least 45 minutes to an hour in the morning, and 55 minutes, to 1 hour and a half pending on traffic and accidents.

The better paying job would be at the very least over half the time of the longer commute, (20-30 minutes), but the lower pay is making me hesitant.

Both jobs are good opportunities in the IT field, although the lower paying job is around 10-15k less in terms of salary. Obviously most people have said to take the higher paying job despite the commute, but having a good chunk of my day being taken away from commuting might not be worth the extra pay.

So please, any unbiased opinions about what actions to take.

Thanks!

For only 10-15k less? Shorter commute for sure.

My commute was an hour/hour and a half and it drove me absolutely insane. I now pay $1500 more in rent each month just because I couldn't, and trust me it is worth it to not have to death with such a long commute.