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

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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!

Specializes in Management, Quality and pt. safety . Now traveler..

I have (2) well paying jobs that I was 1.5 hrs. away from. I started by renting a room then I stayed at one of those extend a stay places. I did this for 8-10 years until it got real old ! Keep in mind the pay is to be great, you must have a good car and milage piles up. I put on 72,000 miles in 2yrs. on a brand new Rav 4 as I live in New York State. 

Just my experience. You can always find close side hussles if this isn't a solution. 

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It just depends. I have a long commute to work (about an hour), and have been driving this distance for years. It doesn't really bother me, but if I worked night shift- it would. If I worked five days a week- it would. If I worked in a cold climate -it would. If I had to arrange child care around my schedule- it would. If I had to deal with rush hour traffic- it would. I really believe in making "pros and cons" spread sheets, and then figuring it out.

Good luck with your search for a new home!

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.

Long commutes get old. I took on a 2nd position to get ICU experience and the commute was 1 hour 10 minutes. Thought it wouldn’t be bad until I started doing it and dreaded a long commute after a 8 or 12 hour shift. I’m actively interviewing and to get a similar position at a hospital 5 min from my house.

I don’t know where you live, but you should take into consideration the commute depending on if you have to drive on a busy highway v. Empty roadways. 
 

But most importantly consider the weather. Bad weather can add another 30 min or more to your commute due to snow, rain so be mindful of you want that a part of your regular commute. 

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