Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with commute

Help a Portland Oregonian expatriate to Washington, DC

Skwirl — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:33:36 -0800

I'm moving to Washington, DC for a new job that is a huge step up for me. I'd like to have a studio apartment lined up for January 1st and I will have a week to intensively look for a place before my job starts on Dec. 21st. What are some neighborhoods, tips and resources what would be helpful for me to find my perfect place in such a short turn around? My main goal is super convenient car-free living and commuting. My sensible ceiling for rent is about $1200. I could comfortably go decently higher, but I'm also used to spartan living and could go lower. I prefer small living spaces. Heck, I miss dorm life. My highest priority, after safety, is a sensible commute. I don't drive and in the past I've happily mixed and matched bus, light rail and bicycle commutes at my daily whimsy. My dream situation would be to be able to walk to as many day-to-day necessities as possible. My office is a stone's throw from the Teasury (Nearest Metro lines: Blue, Orange and Red) so I dunno how realistic walking to work would be but my other dreamy dream would be to have many of the daily essentials within walking-biking distance. (Can I have a Trader Joes and a neighborhood hippy co-op as my neighbors? And a Target? Kthnxbye...)

Other considerations:
* There will probably be times where I'm biking or walking home at 2 am and I want to be reasonably safe from intimidation and violence. I don't particularly care about other urban issues or inconveniences.

* I significantly prefer greenspaces and multi-use paths over nightlife, but I would utilize both.

* I've been browsing rent.com, housingmaps.com and apartments.com. I've only rented from craigslist-y individuals in the past and I've had only good experiences but I have found those situations wanting in professionalism sometimes and I would prefer a good property management company.

* I will be buying all new (or new to me) furniture. Pre-furnished apartment? Even better. (Think: Dorm but with a kitchen.)

* I understand the cost-of-living sticker shock. I've crunched the numbers and I'm still sooooper psyched. But, if there's a significant tax difference between MD, DC and VA, I'd want to know more.

* Obviously proximity to Metro stops is pretty coveted, but I think all I care about is minutes spent commuting so if I could beat the market with a good bus route and bicycling, I'm all ears.

* Where should I avoid?

My plan is to stay at the HI hostel and/or Priceline hotels and/or couch surf while I'm looking for a place if I don't meet my January 1st goal. Most of my stuff will be shipped at a later date at my leisure.

Impervius!

Salvor Hardin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:33:14 -0800

Underground in a secret lab, the hive mind works feverishly and with a single purpose: to create...the perfect Boston bicyclist! Impermeable to wind, water, ice, slush, and mud, there's nothing Boston can throw at him that he can't handle! We had our first really miserable, blinding drenching ice/slush/rain-pelting-down days in Boston. My SO and I have decided that we're going to make ourselves waterproof.

We'd like suggestions for picking out some waterproof bad-weather bicycling gear. I imagine we'll need:

jacket, pants, shoes, eyewear, headwear, handwear, etc (anything else that you've found helpful?)

to combat the nasty winter weather that Boston can dish out. Specifically I want something that can keep me some close approximation of dry during a 4 mile bicycle commute. Let's say we each have up to $200 to throw at this (hopefully it won't take that much).

I'm a 6'2" male, she's a 5'2" female.

Here are my priorities (in approximately descending order):

1. Keeps me DRY! I'm talking hermetically-sealed/space-worthy.
2. Flexible (i.e. suitable for bicycling-type movements)
3. Stops the wind
4. Simple/fast to remove (I'm usually behind schedule, so speed of operation is desirable)
5. Not too many pieces (I'm terrible about losing accessories)
6. Not too much $$
7. Doesn't accumulate too much sweat

Any ideas are welcome! My SO already has a normal set of rain gear, and she still ends up completely drenched by the end of the ride, so I think we need something a bit extraordinary.

I've seen this question, but brands and products change a lot, and I didn't see the fervent testimonial I was hoping for. My favorite from that was the deep-sea fishing gear, but I'm not sure if it'll be flexible enough for biking, or if it'll interfere with the chain.

Thanks!

Best practices commuting from south of Boston (Quincyish) to Cambridge?

UMDirector — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:34:25 -0800

[Boston Filter] Potential new job across from MIT - best place to park daily? Best commute path/plan from Abington (south of Quincy)? I may potentially be getting a new job at the 101 Broadway building across from the MIT campus. I have never actually commuted into Cambridge/Boston so I am terrified. If I should choose to drive any good parking suggestions? The garage under the building is about $17 or so a day...anyone know of a cheaper option?

Also any commuting suggestions? Best tips if I drive? What if I take the train? Red line from Quincy? Or better to take the commuter rail to South Station from Weymouth?

live in melbourne, work in sydney - have you done it?

compound eye — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:11:37 -0800

what's it like living in melbourne and commuting to sydney for work? Have you done it?
how often do you travel back and forth?
daily? weekly?
do you have kids at home in melbourne?
did it work out?
what was it like?

is it worth it?
or is it hell?

I'm tired of being tired!

The Winsome Parker Lewis — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:53:03 -0800

What are some easy ways to get more energy and motivation? Lifestyle-specific details inside. I wake up at 4:45 every weekday morning and snooze until 5:15. Originally I did this because I thought I could trick myself into thinking I was sleeping in, but now I think maybe it's just a bad habit. I leave at 6:00am and commute two hours to work, work from 8:00 to 5:00, and commute two hours home, arriving at 7:00pm. By the time I get home, I'm exhausted and have just enough energy to make dinner, eat, and go to bed at 10:00. Every weekday it's the same.

When the weekend comes, I tell myself that I finally have some free time I can use to live a little, but I end up sleeping in instead, fooling around doing nothing in particular on the computer, and not getting out of the house.

Fortunately my wonderful fiancee makes sure I don't neglect her or my responsibilities, and she tries to keep me moving. But I just don't feel the self-motivation from within that I had once upon a time, and I miss that. I want to pursue hobbies in my spare time, but I feel like I have no spare time. I want to get back in shape. I want to start (and finish) projects. I want to recultivate old friendships and have company over for games and dinners and movies. I want to try new things and have adventures, like I used to do. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut.

How do I stop feeling exhausted all the time? The good news is, I'm moving much closer to work soon, which ought to help a lot. Apart from that, I'm looking for energy and motivation hacks. Any special habits I can form, or foods I can eat, or stretches I can do? Time is at a premium right now, and since I'm saving up for marriage and a honeymoon in May, so is money. Help me find some vigor to tackle my schedule and get the most out of life again!

Slimpstreaming behind a random?

Tapioca — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:32:55 -0800

Do you think it is rude for Alice (a commuter cyclist) to slipstream behind Bob (another commuter cyclist, who doesn't know Alice)? By 'slipstreaming' I mean riding in the wind-free pocket behind the lead cyclist. Hope I've got the terminology right - think I've also seen it called 'drafting'.

Does it depend on headwind speed? Length of time? Other factors?

(I tried to frame this a neutral hypothetical. This happened on my morning commute today, but I'm deliberately not revealing whether I was Alice or Bob)

Best route for overland commute in NYC

ocherdraco — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:17:16 -0800

I live at the top of Central Park in New York City (my park entrance is at 110th and Lenox), and I'm thinking of either getting a bike or rollerblades to commute to my job at 23rd and Fifth (or, perhaps more accurately, to my gym at 23rd and Park, where I can shower and change). What's the most direct path through the park from top to bottom, and which streets should I take to my destination once I exit the park? Secondary question: which will cost more over time, commute by bike or commute by rollerblades?

Am I spoilt by working from home?

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:35:00 -0800

Long commute: should I take this job? I got laid off in mid-May from a job where I worked from home as a software designer. I was somewhat underpaid in that position, making about 85K where others made about 95-100K, but I was happy with it because of the remote arrangement, which worked out great as I have two young children. I also had 5 weeks of PTO/personal time off (ie. vacation and sick time combined) every year.

Since what I do is a pretty niche specialty, there aren't a lot of openings out there, especially not in this economy.

I have now just been offered a position where I would have excellent job security. I'd get 4 weeks PTO, but the money is better - we settled on 95K. However, I'm expected to come into the office every day, because everyone else on the team does.

Now, it took me just under an hour when I went to interview there, and 90 minutes on my way back. I have misgivings about taking on a job where I'll be spending two to three hours of the day in the car. I imagine in the winter it'll be closer to three, if not more.

Others on the team come in at 5:30-6:30 am and are able to cut commuting time to 35 minutes. A start that early is just not an option for me.

I know I can do this work remotely, and in fact, my own boss works in an office in a different city.

Should I take this job?

What are my best options if I only need a car for a year or less?

frippsie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:34:03 -0800

My car lease is ending soon. I thought I wouldn't need a car for any longer than my lease terms. But now I do. What are my best options if I only need a car for a year or less? I only got this car because I accepted a job and moved to a city where a car is necessary for reliable transportation. I didn't expect to be here for longer than two years because my job is very stressful, and I see it as a stepping stone to something better. (I don't want to get sidetracked as to why I'm still here, but rest assured it's not the situation I want to be in.) I'm leaving my current job in a year's--or less--time. I would most likely be relocating to a place where I don't need a car at all.

However, I do still require reliable transportation for the rest of the admittedly indefinite time I am here. So should I get a new lease, buy out my current lease, buy a different car, or what?

Complications: I don't have the cash to buy my leased car outright--I'd have to get a loan. I don't want to be stuck with trying to unload the car in the middle of a lease or before the loan is paid off. Unfortunately, public transportation and walking/bike riding aren't good options for me. I do carpool sometimes, but I don't want to be begging rides 100% of the time.

I know this sounds a bit all over the place...that's why I hope AskMe can help me think about this more clearly, and hopefully offer some good suggestions! Thanks in advance.

Avoiding punctures on my cycle to work

fatfrank — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:50:47 -0800

What's your anti-puncture strategy? I've been cycling to work for about 5 weeks now and, in the last week, have had three punctures. One was my fault (I didn't check the tyre thoroughly enough after the first puncture), but the other two were accidents.

So, beyond pumping the tyres up to full pressure, what else can I do to help cut down on punctures? I've seen tape to stick on the inside of the tyres, puncture resistant tyres, puncture resistant tubes and tubes with goo in them. Which are nonsense and which do you use on a daily basis?

I'm riding a road bike (with gears) but I don't mind a little extra weight

Park and Ride in From PA to DC

mulkey — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:48:32 -0800

Help me figure out a Park and Ride scenario during rush hour PA -> DC. I'm trying to figure out the best way to minimize driving between Harrisburg, PA and Washington DC during evening rush hour on a Friday afternoon. I have a car, but I'm headed to downtown DC and it would be far better/cheaper/happier if I can park and use public transit.

Both Greyhound and Amtrak from Harrisburg to DC are four hours (ouch) and Amtrak conveniently takes me through Philadelphia (huh?). So I'm looking at Marc trains, which would be a little more driving, but it looks like there are park and ride options.

But where do I go? Looks like the closest places to me are: Monocacy on the Brunswick line and West Baltimore on the Penn Line. Maybe Penn Station on the Penn Line as well (Actually Hunt Mills, Timonium and Owing Mills are closer but there's no park and ride).

But I'm wondering if it's better to go to Monocacy because there might be less traffic in getting there (avoiding Baltimore entirely) but am I wrong? What would you do?

Presumably since I'd be getting there around the evening rush hour I wouldn't have a problem finding a park and ride parking space right??? Right?

Any other ideas/suggestions that might work? I've heard there are faster buses between DC and Harrisburg but I have no idea where they might be found.

Stay in Newark ,commute to manhattan?

citybuddha — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:14:09 -0800

Stay in Newark ,commute to manhattan? Man hotels are pricey in Manhattan,
We are thinking of staying in Newark and commuting daily into the city.
Can anyone offer some advice as to if this is a bad idea or not? We are early risers and not late party people.
Would love to know of some affordable options between the two

What's the best alternative to bananas as fuel for a ~12 mile cycle commute?

primer_dimer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:59:19 -0800

What's the best alternative to bananas as fuel for a ~12 mile cycle commute? So I've recently started commuting to work by bike again, only this time it's a bit further than I've done before - about 12 miles. I need to make sure I put some fuel in my tank before setting off. The standard advice on cycle forums seems to be a banana 20 mins before setting off. I hate bananas. What should I eat instead?

How do I keep my ironed shirts creaseless when traveling with a backpack?

complience — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:48:26 -0800

How do I keep my ironed shirts creaseless when traveling with a backpack? I cycle to work every day and take a pair of freshly ironed trousers and a shirt with me in my pack.

The pack is a not so big average size and so Im currently folding the shirt and trousers to get them in.

But this results in creases - annoying considering the effort put into ironing them.

Does anyone know of ways of folding a shirt that will limit the creases?

I've tried rolling but that seemed to be even worse, maybe i got the technique wrong.

Or is there somthing I could put the shirts into just for traveling, a sort of folder type thing?

any ideas welcome.

How do I prioritize cost/budget, commute, amenities, and neighborhood cool-seeming-ness?

NikitaNikita — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:16:52 -0800

Deciding-where-to-live-filter: How do I prioritize cost/budget, commute, amenities, and neighborhood cool-seeming-ness? (sorry: long, personal, and northwest DC/Maryland-based.) (sorry for the long, personal/specific question here... asking my question to a internet-full of strangers seems to be the only way to silence my brain tonight):

I'm relocating to DC/MD for a year-long (possibly longer) fellowship program in policy work, and looking to turn over a new leaf for my finances (mainly, building up some savings, and not living paycheck-to-paycheck). Using the 33% of take-home pay as my guideline for rent, my rent budget allowance is... tiny. I found an older (non-pet-friendly) rental condo in a fairly walking-friendly area, near the train/buses and work, but a relatively unhip-seeming 'hood. It does however fit within my 33% rent budget, including utilities.

I'm comparing this to a new, modern, pet-friendly condo further away from work, but in the District. The rent sounds do-able (43% of take home), but overall living will be more expensive given the nature of DC (taxes, car insurance (I got markedly higher quotes with a DC address), etc). But it seems like a younger, more lively neighborhood.)

I'm stuck between these options (the cheapest/most convenient I've found, thus far) and am wondering if the hive-mind has some ideas about how to prioritize/balance a budget against general lifestyle-type happiness.

Thanks y'all...

(PS: I'm the person who posted this, if that helps. And it's Friendship Heights MD vs Cleaveland Park/Vaness-ish))

(PPS: I throw in the pet-stuff since I'd really like to have a dog, but again, cost has been an issue.)

(PPPS: I have only one piece of 'equity', my car, which I not only really like but am not ready to sell in a rush, in case I need it.)

I need general advice about bicycle commuting and specific recommendations for Seattle.

GPF — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:11:27 -0800

I need general advice about bicycle commuting and specific recommendations for Seattle: where to live for commute to UW, bike shop recommendations, must have equipment, neighborhoods to avoid, good routes and trails, and the like. I'm planning a move to Seattle. Lots of good threads on the green about Seattle info and bicycling info. The Seattle department of transportation maps and guides seem fantastic -- any personal experience you could add to using them would be much appreciated.

I'm considering using a bicycle as my main commuting vehicle to the University of Washington. Obviously, closer is better but closer means higher rents and more undergrads -- right? In searching for places to live, I'm trying to gauge how far from UDub I can get and have a tolerable commute. I'm a pretty good judge of my fitness and stamina for it, but I don't have any idea which neighborhoods make for a convenient ride. As in, I'd prefer an hour long ride on an easy trail to a twenty minute ride on a hilly five-lane road. Are there any definitive architectural encumbrances (e.g. bad bridges, freeway crossings, etc.)?

Bonus for family friendly parks nearby and cheap rents. Double bonus for specific apartment or landlord recommendations.

I'd also love some recommendations for bike shops - especially ones that trade in used gear and cater to the commuter.

Gigantor Needs Commuter Bike

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:13:58 -0800

I'm huge. I want to get a commuter bike. What's a good one? I'm 5'11", 350 pounds on a large frame. I want to get a commuter bike for about a 1.5 mile each way commute over flat terrain, preferably one with minimal gears. What's a good bike? I like the look of Electra cruisers.

WTB Bag of Holding +?? Help!

strixus — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:24:38 -0800

I'm searching for a new around campus backpack, but I have some very specific requirements - help me, hive mind you're my only hope! I've been wanting to buy a new backpack for a while now, but I've been totally unable to find a bag that meets my requirements. Besides needing to be durable, water resistant, and all of the usual things for a good backpack, here are my requirements:

1) Needs to be an actual backpack, not a messenger bag. I used to love these, but can no longer use any bag that has only one strap due to hip problems. I love things like the M-15 bag from the military, but it is too small for my needs.

2) It needs to be secure for a laptop - padded and preferably have its own compartment. It also needs to have room for the power adapter for said laptop. You'd be amazed at how many laptop bags don't have a good place to put a laptop power cord.

3) It needs to have LOTS of room, separate from the laptop. It needs to be able to carry the approximate weight of 3-5 small books (200 pages each), or about the thickness of a ream and a half of paper. And it needs to do so in a way that doesn't mangle said paper or books. My current bag is huge, but tapers at the top in such a way that it mangles papers. When carrying 200 + student exams, this is a problem.

4) External pockets for things like phone, keys, pens, etc. I carry a lot of other stuff with me during my day and need a way to keep it all easily accessible.

5) Place to store a water bottle or soda bottle. This is really important, as I generally carry one with me at all times.

Any recommendations are appreciated. I've looked at a ton of bags, and none seem to be what I need. They are either too small, the wrong strap type, or don't seem durable enough.

How to get to work faster on a bike?

Siberian Mist — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:50:10 -0800

Two years ago I sold the car and started riding my bicycle to work, about 26 km a day. However, over those two years, my average speed has not increased, in fact I think I'm actually a little slower than last year. Help me get to work faster! I'm interested in a simple approach: a basic training program, maybe- I don't want to change bicycles or go single speed.

Local Bike Shops in Pasadena, CA

onich — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:44:32 -0800

Please recommend a bike shop near Pasadena, CA I'll be moving to Pasadena, CA and the commute to work will be about 7 miles in local roads. AskMe has convinced me to buy a bike and commute to work so my question is: Where do I go to buy a bike? I'd like to go to find a local bike shop so that I can pick someone's brain about which bike to buy. I'd appreciate recommendations of knowledgeable staff, decent prices and a good selection of bikes and parts.

I'll also appreciate it if you can also get me started with a few questions to ask. I really have no idea of what I'm looking for in a bike.

Aside from work, there will be hiking/biking trails near where I'll live so I'd like to be able use the bike for both.

I'll appreciate bike and bike trail recommendations as well. It's going to be my first bike since I was a child.

If it's relevant, I'm not in great shape, but hopefully, biking to work will help.

Thanks in advance, folks.

How do I mix a nightmare commute with good sleep hygiene?

charmcityblues — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:11:47 -0800

Due to circumstances out of my control, I have a nightmare commute once or twice a week for the next two months. The commuting itself is tolerable, but the disruptions to my sleep cycle aren't. Please help! Some background: I can't move closer (I'm finishing school). This is some part-time work at a company where I interned for almost a year. The tacit understanding is that this short-term stint will be lead to a full time job come June (yay!) The work itself is not physically demanding in the least, but it's mentally exhausting at times. In this field, people routinely put in 10+ hour days. Since this is basically an extended job interview, there's a decent amount of pressure to be first in / last out, etc.

The commute is 2 hours each way on a good day. I use public transportation so I can read / zone out, which helps. In order to catch the first leg, I have to be up by 5:30. I often get home at 10 or later. I have done this full time, for short periods, and it absolutely wiped me out. For several months, I worked on Fridays, giving me the weekend to recuperate. Now it's going to be Wednesdays and some Fridays, and I have classes (with homework, papers, etc) on Thursdays and some Fridays. I have to be functional, and even get some work done Wednesday nights.

I generally require a lot of sleep (8+ hours) to be on top of my game. I have struggled with sleep issues in the past, and it has not been pretty. I'm big on sleep hygiene, and I'm afraid that this is going to totally wreak havoc on my system. For example: tomorrow is the first day of this. It's 10pm, and I'm still wide awake. I can feel the clock ticking towards wakeup time, and it's freaking me out.

What can I do to ameliorate this situation? Should I try to switch my whole sleep schedule over to "early to rise?" What about supplements? Melatonin? A way to tweak my caffeine intake? What's the best way to avoid falling into the "coffee and doughnuts to get through the next 8 hours" trap?

I very much appreciate any insight you have into this sort of situation, MeFites. Commuting tips also welcome!

I do know a lot of people have worse commutes every single day, and props to them. I really don't need to hear how wimpy I am in comparison.

Daily Commute: Mississauga Guelph

FusiveResonance — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:01:52 -0800

Daily Commute: Mississauga <> Guelph. What will the traffic conditions be like on the 401 west (in the morning) and on the 401 east (in the evening)? I am considering commuting daily(weekdays) from Mississauga to Guelph and so am wondering about the traffic conditions on the 401. Assume I start work ~ 8am (I must be at my desk by 8am) and will end around 4 or 5.

I am just wondering about summer conditions (may through September)

Reverse commute Clapham to Guildford

bunnyrabbit22 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:03:38 -0800

I currently work and live in Guildford, UK. I love my job and need to stay there for at least the next 6 months, but I am thoroughly miserable living in Guildford - it's a beautiful town but so dull for a young single person!! I want to move to south London and reverse commute - does anyone do this journey? Is it do-able? I'd probably need to drive although could poss do on train. Was thinking Clapham Common is nice area - what is the traffic like to get down to Guildford in the morning, is it bad? I need to be at work at 8.30am. I finish at 7pm. Are there any other places that are better for commuting and missing traffic - Clapham Junction maybe? Or brixton? Waterloo?

How do I eat out less frequently, when I'm already extremely pressed for time?

oostevo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:39:36 -0800

How do I eat out less frequently, when I'm already extremely pressed for time? After reviewing my budget and realizing that I spend absolutely obscene amounts of money eating away from home, I've come to realize that I need to rely on MetaFilter's help once again. I need to eat out much less frequently, which almost certainly means cooking meals at home more.

My eating out (usually buying, then eating at my desk, honestly) is largely driven by time (see this previous AskMe). I'm often away from home from about 0530-2130 or so, every day, and, honestly, the 10 minutes total that it takes for me to make sandwiches or a salad when I get home and then eat them sometimes feels burdensome.

I'd very much love any tips you're wiling to share.

If I can be just the slightest bit picky, I should note that my only two real dietary requirements are at least 200g of protein a day, and eating as little simple carbohydrate as is possible. Other than that, I'll eat almost anything.

Also, I'm a useless chef, probably largely due to the extreme lack of practice.

San Francisco to L.A. How Long?

mto — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:02:11 -0800

If I leave San Francisco at 4pm on a Friday (11/5) what are my chances of getting into L.A. by 11:00pm? Google says 6 hours, but I don't have a sense of what L.A. traffic is like. I imagine I'd beat SF rush hour, and maybe San Jose rush hour. Specifically I'm going to Beverly Hills / West Hollywood.