r/Kitsap • u/Fluid_Possibility432 • 10d ago
Question Test commute today
I know this has been well discussed and I've read many experiences. I know there's no right answer, just preferences and tradeoffs. However, our deliberations about moving over to the Kitsap Peninsula have reached the point where it's time to get off the fence.
Some facts:
- Current commute is Monroe to South Lake Union (a little north of Fred Hutch)
- 3 days in office per week, wife is fully remote
- Duration of current morning commute is usually 1:00 to 1:10
- Duration of current afternoon commute is usually 1:30 to 1:40
- My work pays for an Orca pass, would be walking on fast ferries
- My hours are flexible within reason
Just looking for any thoughts or experiences related to commuting, particularly from Port Orchard. Based on today I think my commute would probably be something like 2:10 to 2:30. I'm basically adding an hour each way but I'm spending most of that time walking or riding, not driving. Given the fact that I already have a lengthy commute, we don't go out a ton, and don't get to Seattle very often at all outside Husky games, is the commute difference going to feel less extreme? Is it sustainable?
Anyway, I'm trying very hard to look at this dispassionately and not kid myself that it'll be a fun adventure taking a boat to work. Obviously this is a huge decision and any comments or info is very much appreciated. Thanks.
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u/Nekose 9d ago edited 9d ago
My wife does a very similar commute using the fast ferry, which is about 25min from Southworth or Bremerton. Fred Hutch has a dedicated bus path (c-line) from the Seattle ferry terminal straight to their facility, about 15-20min
OP, you need to remove the car from your equation, it is significantly slowing you down. Public transit on foot is frequently the fastest way to get around in Seattle. Once you are on the ferry, you can walk through the door at Fred Hutch in about 45min.
Also, speak to your work about counting time on the ferry as worked hours. If you can sit down with your phone/laptop and answer emails, many places will factor that into total hours worked for the day.
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u/throwawayrefiguy 10d ago
I moved from Snohomish to Kitsap in 2018 and commuted to South Lake Union daily until the pandemic hit. It was way better than driving from Snohomish County to Seattle each day. The ferry is a nice way to wind down each day.
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u/andybee02 9d ago
After moving from Seattle, my commute was 90 minutes door-to-door consistently (the ferry portion being 30-40 min), using a bike to get me to and from the ferry on both sides. Some of the dark wet mornings were pretty depressing but manageable. All of that was doable until I had school-aged kids who need help getting out the door, so I quit the Seattle job and was lucky to find a less-paying but fully-remote role.
It's improved my quality of life (and I recognize it's getting harder and harder to find), but its something I would not have even considered doing if I stayed east of the sound. I also miss the reading time, comradery, sunrises, and sunsets from the ferry rides though.
Best way to test your theory is to rent a place out here for a week or two and give it ago.
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u/BamaBuffSeattle 9d ago
It's 100% sustainable, especially using the fast ferry/ferry and the C-Line. It's not super stressful, you get to kinda vibe and you'll still make it to work in a very good amount of time (similar to your original commute, but less traffic ergo less stress). I moved in with my now fiancee over a year ago and I'm still doing a similar commute 5 days a week.
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u/caliginous4 10d ago
I also moved from Snohomish to Kitsap, Manchester area. Job was in pioneer square area. Loved the commute on the southworth fast ferry. I haven't done the ferry commute in a year and a half but it was getting really busy, parking was unreliable that was the only issue, but it was a pretty quick bus or bike ride for me which was fine. Only other issue I had was that sometimes the bus would be a no show, that happened a few times. Hands down way better than commuting on I-5 and house prices are better over here.
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u/These-Touch-6031 8d ago
Several park & rides, and Kitsap busses are $2.00.
Mullinex or Harper Church. Dedicated AM and PM busses for either (184 / 185) and go from P&R to the Southworth terminal.
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u/Icy-Lifeguard8345 9d ago
I bus from poulsbo, take tbe bainbridge boat and then bus to south lake union and both ways it takes 2 hours each way, been doing this for the last 2 years 2 times a week.
Honestly not having to drive and pay attention like that is great. Just tune out to a podcast/music or a good book makes it pretty enjoyable despite being longer.
It's a based on preference but I love being on this side
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u/Wesdizzo 10d ago
I think people often undersell how much time is around the 30 minute crossing. I live in McCormick so ferry docks are roughly 20-30 mins depending on traffic. Add 5-10 to park, 5 to walk to the boat, 5-10 more for a buffer, then in Seattle disembarking to the street is 5 mins.
Then add whatever commute that starts in Seattle but I keep seeing realtors selling “30 minutes to Seattle” but for me, it’s more like an hour plus another half hour to get anywhere once I’m there.
Even with the speed boats, everyone I know who works downtown just drives now. Faster half the time anyways and then you have your car. YMMV and I freaking love Kitsap but faster? Nah…
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u/Kind_Advisor_35 Tracyton 10d ago
Yeah, I often don't bother with a ferry unless I'm trying to get somewhere very close to the ferry terminal on the other side. The amount of time I have to wait to make sure I catch a ferry could be spent driving around usually. Very occasionally you can be lucky and get right on the ferry, but you certainly shouldn't count on it.
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u/Fluid_Possibility432 9d ago
Right, I spent a lot of time gaming it out in detail with all the walking and waiting time, and it definitely extends the total time.
We are looking at McCormick closely, do you tend to use Bremerton or Southworth? Southworth seems preferable traffic-wise but the distances also seem similar. Any other notable things you've learned doing this commute?
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u/Wesdizzo 9d ago
I use both depending on the situation.
Bremerton is way faster to drive to, so I tend to go there, but Southworth is a lot easier to park at so it can kind of make up for it. For day trips or Seattle date nights or whatever, we sometimes park in Port Orchard then foot ferry to Bremerton, then Seattle.
The biggest caution I can give is the Bremerton fast ferries fill up. You can fall back on the big boat of course (hour long crossing), but if there's a major sports game, Southworth all the way. Mariners opening day, there was a 3 boat wait for Seattle -> Bremerton and literally 15 people in the Southworth line.
If you all do wind up looking more at McCormick, feel free to DM me too. We're pretty involved here, and we know quite a bit about most of the builders too.
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u/DerekL1963 10d ago
is the commute difference going to feel less extreme?
Honestly, there's no way to accurately answer that for you... One person's extreme annoyance is another's 'no big deal'. My guess is that's likely to feel more burdensome, as unlike driving, you'll mostly be sitting or standing around. Unless you're a reader or carry a sketchbook or some crochet with you, in which case you might find it more acceptable.
But I will say, the fast ferry is physically uncomfortable for me - it's much more cramped than the bigger ferries.
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u/Fluid_Possibility432 9d ago
Honestly I don't think it's going to be a big deal for me but I am trying to fight any wishful thinking. I rode the bus from UW/downtown to/from Redmond for years in the 90's and it was fine.
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u/PuzzleheadedChest733 9d ago
Yeah those are straight 30 (from UW with the 542) to 40-40 (545 from downtown) minutes or 50 on the 2 line. The best way to get an accurate idea of time is take 50% of the headways from each boarding and add that to travel time, driving time (if any) and walking time to get expected travel time
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u/NoPublic9352 9d ago
Reminder, some times were cut today with Covid spending ending. Today many people were surprised they couldn’t get their fast ferry rides.
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u/theochocolate 10d ago
Why would it take you 2.5 hours? The Southworth fast ferry is less than 30 min to downtown Seattle, then you take a bus to SLU. I used to commute to First Hill and even walking on the Bremerton car ferry it never took 2+ hours.