How long is too long of a commute for a new job?
June 23, 2010 7:38 AM Subscribe
I have been out of work for several months in the Orlando area, and just got a job offer in Jacksonville. There is a (small) possibility of another job offer in Orlando, but it may not come through for several weeks, and is not guaranteed.
The job offer is contingent on a full background check, with an asap start date.
Several key problems
1) I live in Orlando, and my girlfriend lives with me and works in Orlando. Her job would probably allow her to xfer to Jacksonville office, but it wouldn't be something that could be done immediately.
2) I could commute (the job is in south Jax and I'm north of Orlando, so it's about a 1.5 - 1.75 hour commute) for the short term, but my car probably can't do that on a daily basis. I need to replace it soon.
3) We just renewed our lease here on an apartment. I think I would be responsible for it until they could fill it, but that isn't a big deal, esp. since my girlfriend can't move immediately.
I think I have to accept the job offer (I've been unemployed coming up on 8 months now, and the position is a raise on my previous employment). The company is a top-notch financial firm. Realistically, I don't think I can hold out in the hopes that the other job offer will come through.
Multiple questions -
1) Should I accept?
2) What is the best solution for the housing situation? Get a new car/rent a car and commute? Get a crummy apartment up there and pay for both?
3) Should I let the possible job offer company know I have a received an offer, and word it something to the effect of "All things being equal or close, I'd rather not move to Jacksonville and would rather work for you"?
What would any of you do?
1) I live in Orlando, and my girlfriend lives with me and works in Orlando. Her job would probably allow her to xfer to Jacksonville office, but it wouldn't be something that could be done immediately.
2) I could commute (the job is in south Jax and I'm north of Orlando, so it's about a 1.5 - 1.75 hour commute) for the short term, but my car probably can't do that on a daily basis. I need to replace it soon.
3) We just renewed our lease here on an apartment. I think I would be responsible for it until they could fill it, but that isn't a big deal, esp. since my girlfriend can't move immediately.
I think I have to accept the job offer (I've been unemployed coming up on 8 months now, and the position is a raise on my previous employment). The company is a top-notch financial firm. Realistically, I don't think I can hold out in the hopes that the other job offer will come through.
Multiple questions -
1) Should I accept?
2) What is the best solution for the housing situation? Get a new car/rent a car and commute? Get a crummy apartment up there and pay for both?
3) Should I let the possible job offer company know I have a received an offer, and word it something to the effect of "All things being equal or close, I'd rather not move to Jacksonville and would rather work for you"?
What would any of you do?
Response by poster: Not really. I've been driving a 2001 with over 90K miles on it, so its survival is not guaranteed for even a day. It can handle short trips, but doing 130 miles one way would probably kill it.
(sorry about the long opening post - going to ask the mefi people to move most of it to the extended)
posted by Drylnn at 7:45 AM on June 23, 2010
(sorry about the long opening post - going to ask the mefi people to move most of it to the extended)
posted by Drylnn at 7:45 AM on June 23, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you to whoever edited this down to a smaller size on the frontpage!
posted by Drylnn at 7:46 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by Drylnn at 7:46 AM on June 23, 2010
Talk to the Orlando people and tell them, "I'd love to work for you, but I have to get a job soon, and if you can't tell me by X date, then I have to go to work for this other company that's given me an actual offer."
As for the commute, you might want to look at living in a hotel in Jax during the week. I did that for two years, and it was significantly cheaper than an apartment or a two-hour commute would have been. Yes, I missed my SO, but the weekends were always special occasions, so we at least never got bored with each other. Find a non-chain hotel that has a microwave and minifridge and tell them your situation. They'd probably be willing to cut a deal for four nights a week for several months.
Don't worry about the lease. Tell your landlord the situation, tell him you'll help him rent out the place as soon as you can after your GF transfers, and if he screws you, well, it'll cost less than being unemployed, I bet.
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on June 23, 2010
As for the commute, you might want to look at living in a hotel in Jax during the week. I did that for two years, and it was significantly cheaper than an apartment or a two-hour commute would have been. Yes, I missed my SO, but the weekends were always special occasions, so we at least never got bored with each other. Find a non-chain hotel that has a microwave and minifridge and tell them your situation. They'd probably be willing to cut a deal for four nights a week for several months.
Don't worry about the lease. Tell your landlord the situation, tell him you'll help him rent out the place as soon as you can after your GF transfers, and if he screws you, well, it'll cost less than being unemployed, I bet.
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on June 23, 2010
I'd call Orlando and tell them you'd love to work for them but have an actual offer from Jacksonville, and see what they say. I don't know that I'd mention location and all that, I would let them think that you love their company/that job and would rather work there, not just that it is more convenient/makes more sense.
The commute is awful, but I'd lean towards accepting if the offer is good. Eight months is a long time, and a bird in the hand and all that. I think the immediate location-based problems can be overcome.
Is your girlfriend on board with transferring and moving to Jacksonville? You are potentially talking about a pretty significant change to your relationship.
I agree with looking at an extended stay type hotel for during the week. You don't want four hours of driving each way, and I am not sure your car will hold out even if you wanted to do it.
(Congrats on the job offer!!)
posted by mrs. taters at 8:02 AM on June 23, 2010
The commute is awful, but I'd lean towards accepting if the offer is good. Eight months is a long time, and a bird in the hand and all that. I think the immediate location-based problems can be overcome.
Is your girlfriend on board with transferring and moving to Jacksonville? You are potentially talking about a pretty significant change to your relationship.
I agree with looking at an extended stay type hotel for during the week. You don't want four hours of driving each way, and I am not sure your car will hold out even if you wanted to do it.
(Congrats on the job offer!!)
posted by mrs. taters at 8:02 AM on June 23, 2010
Ugh, obviously not four hours of driving each way, I meant a day, but still.
posted by mrs. taters at 8:03 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by mrs. taters at 8:03 AM on June 23, 2010
I think you've got to take that job.
Read over your lease. I've seen a clause that goes something like "you can be released from this lease if an employment position moves you X miles away".
posted by fontophilic at 8:07 AM on June 23, 2010
Read over your lease. I've seen a clause that goes something like "you can be released from this lease if an employment position moves you X miles away".
posted by fontophilic at 8:07 AM on June 23, 2010
Accept the offer in Jacksonville. Get out of your lease. Look for places midway between Orlando and Jacksonville and share the long commute.
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 8:24 AM on June 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 8:24 AM on June 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also talk to your Jacksonville offer about the situation and how the commute for the short term is a bit scary.
I brought up the 90 minute each way commute when interviewing for my current position and my manager suggested telecommuting for most of the week and being in the office for 2 or 3 days a week, with the company paying for a hotel in the area when I was in the office. Granted, this was back a few years ago when the economy was better and my job works well with telecommuting, but you might be surprised what they come up with, especially for the short term you are talking about.
But, whether you are paying for it or they are, I'm with Etrigan, get a nearby hotel during the week so you don't have to do that drive every day.
posted by chiefthe at 8:27 AM on June 23, 2010
I brought up the 90 minute each way commute when interviewing for my current position and my manager suggested telecommuting for most of the week and being in the office for 2 or 3 days a week, with the company paying for a hotel in the area when I was in the office. Granted, this was back a few years ago when the economy was better and my job works well with telecommuting, but you might be surprised what they come up with, especially for the short term you are talking about.
But, whether you are paying for it or they are, I'm with Etrigan, get a nearby hotel during the week so you don't have to do that drive every day.
posted by chiefthe at 8:27 AM on June 23, 2010
Response by poster: I do think I have to take the job - it's not like it's on the moon or really far away, so the logistical concerns are somewhat less than having to move out of state or another country.
I can't really telecommute (it's a nice thought tho). They didn't leave me a lot of room for negotiation, probably because they have their pick of the litter right now with the economy as it is.
I think the hotel idea is a pretty good one so far. 4 nights a week will add up, but in the short term, it's not too bad. Where can I search for extended hotels (just looking in google right now)?
The job is for a top tier company (one of the top five banks in the world), even more so than then Orlando choice, so I had to disclose to the Orlando offer that it would be a commute (I didn't specify how much of one), so all things being equal or close, I would rather for them because of their work environment, etc. in addition to the distance. It isn't fully true, but I have to start somewhere.
posted by Drylnn at 9:55 AM on June 23, 2010
I can't really telecommute (it's a nice thought tho). They didn't leave me a lot of room for negotiation, probably because they have their pick of the litter right now with the economy as it is.
I think the hotel idea is a pretty good one so far. 4 nights a week will add up, but in the short term, it's not too bad. Where can I search for extended hotels (just looking in google right now)?
The job is for a top tier company (one of the top five banks in the world), even more so than then Orlando choice, so I had to disclose to the Orlando offer that it would be a commute (I didn't specify how much of one), so all things being equal or close, I would rather for them because of their work environment, etc. in addition to the distance. It isn't fully true, but I have to start somewhere.
posted by Drylnn at 9:55 AM on June 23, 2010
Where can I search for extended hotels (just looking in google right now)?
I'd suggest going to the office where you'll be working and spiraling outward. The hotel I lived in for two years was a little family-owned place, barely even on Google Maps, but it ended up being perfect for what I needed.
posted by Etrigan at 10:31 AM on June 23, 2010
I'd suggest going to the office where you'll be working and spiraling outward. The hotel I lived in for two years was a little family-owned place, barely even on Google Maps, but it ended up being perfect for what I needed.
posted by Etrigan at 10:31 AM on June 23, 2010
Where can I search for extended hotels (just looking in google right now)?
The company I work with had a special deal with a nearby B&B to be the primary host of the people who would be in town for my company for a few days every month or so. You may want to try checking with their HR. They may have some ideas, as I bet there are many execs or others who come for an extended stay.
They didn't leave me a lot of room for negotiation, probably because they have their pick of the litter right now with the economy as it is.
Understood. But I would still consider bringing it up if you have the offer in hand---someone may know someone with a room to rent during the week or know someone in a similar situation who you could carpool with for some or all the of the way or may know of a special deal at a hotel.
posted by chiefthe at 12:27 PM on June 23, 2010
The company I work with had a special deal with a nearby B&B to be the primary host of the people who would be in town for my company for a few days every month or so. You may want to try checking with their HR. They may have some ideas, as I bet there are many execs or others who come for an extended stay.
They didn't leave me a lot of room for negotiation, probably because they have their pick of the litter right now with the economy as it is.
Understood. But I would still consider bringing it up if you have the offer in hand---someone may know someone with a room to rent during the week or know someone in a similar situation who you could carpool with for some or all the of the way or may know of a special deal at a hotel.
posted by chiefthe at 12:27 PM on June 23, 2010
The Jax office, since it is a top-tier company, should be able to help you find an executive stay hotel that you can afford. They may even be willing to subsidize the cost as part of their moving package. I would ask them for help. Even if you are not yet officially hired their response to your request will tell you a lot about their corporate culture.
posted by oddman at 12:28 PM on June 23, 2010
posted by oddman at 12:28 PM on June 23, 2010
Congratulations on a job and a raise - very unusual in this economy!
That's all I wanted to say - oddman and cheifthe have hit the nail on the head.
You may want to talk about how productive you'd like to be right off the bat, so if there's any tips or help they could provide...blahblah.
Good luck.
posted by dbmcd at 12:42 PM on June 23, 2010
That's all I wanted to say - oddman and cheifthe have hit the nail on the head.
You may want to talk about how productive you'd like to be right off the bat, so if there's any tips or help they could provide...blahblah.
Good luck.
posted by dbmcd at 12:42 PM on June 23, 2010
Several of my friends from small communities north of here have to commute a fair distance to the city to work. Most of them have apartments (with roommates) in the city, and go home to spend time with their families on the weekends.
posted by kaudio at 4:45 PM on June 23, 2010
posted by kaudio at 4:45 PM on June 23, 2010
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Is the amount of time that your car can make the commute roughly equal to the amount of time it would take for your GF to transfer?
posted by amethysts at 7:42 AM on June 23, 2010