Poll results: From home to work and back again
Some of you are loving your commutes. Others not so much.
I know because I asked you to share in last week's twin polls, which asked how long your drive to work lasts and what you think of it.
Half of you have commutes that generally take you less than 30 minutes one way. (Most common answer: 20 to 29 minutes.) One lucky soul reports an 11-minute commute -- by foot.
The rest of you aren't so fortunate.
Eighteen percent have commutes that last 30 to 44 minutes one way.
Fourteen percent drive 45 to 59 minutes one way.
Thirteen percent report commutes that take anywhere from a hour to 89 minutes.
And 5 percent of you, poor things, have one-way commutes of at least an hour and a half. Yes, one way.
Despite the range, three-quarters of say your commutes are at least "OK." (Twenty-seven percent say "excellent.")
Eighteen percent say your commute is lousy.
Five percent of you say it's truly awful and you can't wait to move or switch jobs. (The same five percent who commute three hours a day round-trip, perhaps ...)
And one person says he or she hates the commute but gets to work from home a lot. So perhaps that averages out to an OK?
Nick T., whose workplace is only a few minutes from the place he's renting, commented on the poll with his personal calculation of the cost discount "required to buy with an extended commute (all else being equal)":
0-5 Minutes: -10% (would pay more!)
5-10 Minutes: No Effect - Base House
10-20 Minutes: 10%
20-30 Minutes: 20%
30-60 Minutes: 45%
+60 Minutes: It better be free!
What's your calculation?
And what do those of you with lousy or awful commutes do to get through the grind? Mine's just this side of lousy, and I listen to recorded books.
Categories: From home to work, Polls
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Comments
Mine is about an hour, and I wouldn't classify it as lousy. OK is probably the best description. It lets my wife be a stay-at-home and work when she can so it's worth it from that end.
To deal, I listen to XM mostly. I also listen to podcasts on my iPod once in a while. I've been doing the Hanover area to Baltimore commute for nine years now so it almost seems like second nature.
Posted by: Brian | July 27, 2009 8:47 AM
"One lucky soul reports an 11-minute commute -- by foot."
Luck has nothing to do with it. This should be rephrased as "One smart person reports an 11-minute commute -- by foot."
As it turns out, a commute is a choice. You choose where to work, and you choose where to live, consequently, the manner in which you travel between those two places, is also a choice. Now true, in America, there tend to be fewer choices because of our love affair with the car, but the choices are still available for those who want to make them. Frankly, I don't care if your commute stinks because you chose to make it stink.
Posted by: Alek | July 27, 2009 2:23 PM
I opted to use the word "lucky" because there are so many things that people weigh when choosing a job and a home that they're fortunate if the stars can align on commute. (Of course, if commute if your No. 1 priority, you'll make it work.)
Posted by: Jamie Smith Hopkins | July 27, 2009 2:28 PM
In this economy you're _lucky_ if you have a job and a home.
As for the subject - I think that not just the length of the commute but the quality also counts. 30 min. on an empty freeway is different than 30 min. of stop-and-go on the road rage filled BW Park[ing lot]way.
Posted by: Jelena | July 29, 2009 2:03 PM
30 minutes is 30 minutes regardless of travel conditions. It's 30 minutes that you don't have for something else. Personally, my 10 minute bike or bus ride suits me nicely.
I understand that not everyone has the luxury of finding a home in close proximity to your job, BUT how far away and how you get to work is your choice. And with that choice, people have to accept it. I really get frustrated to hear people complain about their commute times or conditions. If you don't like it, move.
On a tangent, I'm counting the days until the government finally charges people for the real cost of using a vehicle. I say more taxes on anything associated with a vehicle. $20 a gallon gas with a vehicle mile tax will be a sight for sore eyes. Then you'll see the city housing market boom!
Posted by: Kevin | July 30, 2009 1:30 PM