Driving 1.5 hrs (one way) to work. Good idea?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello y’all. We are getting ready to buy a house. We are 1.5 hrs away from my new job, husband works where we currently live. Our dilemma is where to buy a house. I am scheduled to work 3 shifts/ week, husband works 5 days/week. If we get closer to my work, houses are so much more expensive, maybe 50K more, less land. If we get a house where were at right now, it’s so much more affordable, closer to outdoors, more land and easier for my husband since he will work 5 days a week. 
 

I just want to add that my parents live 1 hr away and my mother in law lives 20 minutes away from my work so I am always welcome to stay there if I am too tired to drive the 1.5 hrs or when it snows bad. We don’t have kids so that’s not an issue. Just want to hear any thoughts. Thanks!

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

I would abhor such a commute before or after a 13 hour shift.  If you want to stay at mom-in-law's house for two nights - maybe that's an option, but for me ... driving that commute would be untenable.  

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There is no way I would consider a commute that long.   I don't think it would be safe.

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Did it. Hated it. Horrible decision. The wear and tear on me and my car wasn't worth it. Lasted 18 months before I threw in the towel. Do a search on this site and you'll see that by and large the majority of people here would never do it again. 

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What would you say the acceptable amount of driving to work? We are considering getting a house like 45 mins-1 hr away. I wouldn’t mind that. Especially with the option of staying with my mil. I just want to be considerate with my husband at this point. 

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45 minutes would be my absolute max. If you're like me I need to sleep in my own bed. Especially if you're working night shift. Occasionally not being able to is fine but I think you'll find yourself doing it more often than you think. It takes a toll. 

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I don't think that is safe.  If you plan to stay local during your shift run, then OK.  But driving home 1.5 hours after a run of 3 12's?  Doesn't sound safe.  

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12 minutes ago, Chickenlady said:

But driving home 1.5 hours after a run of 3 12's? 

And if they aren't scheduled together you end up potentially being away from home for days. It competely sucks.

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I’m assuming your husband and you can change jobs?

they better pay you well...

depend on what your threshold is but for maybe if it’s a $10k increase I would consider.

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You're going to be way too exhausted doing shift work to sustain 3+hrs of commuting daily for an on-going basis. I'd recommend trying to find a job closer to your new home. 

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.

I do know some people that do long commutes. In all honesty, I have tried that before and hated it. I never felt well, felt unsafe driving, and didn’t last very long. The maximum I think I would commute is about 30 minutes but that’s just me. Maybe others are different.

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OP is this night shift?

 

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