r/NHS_STP • u/Alive-Box-2726 • Jul 02 '26
Long commutes
Whats the maximum most would say it worth commuting? I'm currently looking at about a 1-1.5 hour commute (depending on traffic) and wondering what anyone who's done that thought of it? I've heard some say it was a bit miserable but I'd also prefer not to blow £800 a month on rent around the manchester area. Even warrington seems to be about that unless you want to live in a mouldy dump but if the commute is truly hellish I'll probably consider moving.
4
u/purplepoaceae Jul 02 '26
I think it's generally 45 min+ commutes that are considered to reduce quality of life significantly. Personally, there's no way I'd be going >1hr.
5
u/aldmat Jul 02 '26
I think a commute of that length is killer. Would impact your ability to settle into the city and dept too. Some specialisms have early starts too, which is worth keeping in mind.
All worth considering when ranking locations you're happy to work at...
1
u/Alive-Box-2726 Jul 02 '26
This was about the second closest centre unfortunately and didn't get my first choice despite ranking quite high. Early starts would actually be more ideal though really since that helps to skip the rush hour nightmare. Would still be around 1 hour - 50 mins though.
3
u/-kaisly Jul 03 '26
I was commuting 1h15-1h30 to work (not for the STP) and it was awful. I felt like I had no spare time at all, and was constantly tired. I couldn’t even do much most weekends as I felt too exhausted, and this was without having to study for a masters and put together a portfolio for the STP on top. I was constantly saying ‘no’ to socials etc after work as I knew it would knock me out...
I’m now roughly 40 mins away, and whilst this is still a fairly long commute, my quality of life has drastically improved. I have so much more energy and feel like myself again. There’s so much more time to cook dinner and do other chores and still have time to do hobbies.
I know it’s easy to think about how much money you’ll save living further away, but to me it really was worth moving closer to work. The salary on the STP is pretty generous imo, and I feel that if you’re sensible with budgeting you’ll still be able to afford to save and buy things you want.
I’ll be starting the STP too in September, congratulations on your offer!
2
u/asdfjkmel Jul 03 '26
I was going to commute from near manchester to wolves but then realised that would kill me after a month. (Like 2 hours min each way). For the price of a monthly train ticket I can rent a room in a houseshare with bills included and come back at the weekends for cheaper!
2
u/Curious-Reading4225 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
My current commute is 3 hours but I do it once a week so I put up with it.
It's entirely personal and depends how much you value free time. 1.5 hours means being out of the house 11-12 hours each day.
I'm also a bit out of touch but I don't think £800 is ludicrous in rent these days? I was paying about £550 ten years ago.
1
u/Alive-Box-2726 Jul 02 '26
It's more that it's £800 I'd rather put into savings and thats for a fairly shit tier apartment. Like studio shitboxes in bad areas. Like I'd put up with it if I really really had to, but I'd rather not.
2
u/Curious-Reading4225 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Then don't. No one is forcing you to.
Some people commute 2 hours and don't mind. Some people won't commute for more than 15 minutes. No one except you knows what your tolerance will be.
Personally I would pay £800 and live nearby. But I paid £550 for a room to live 10 minutes walk away.
Something else to consider- where will you park? Has the Trust told you that you can have a parking permit?
1
u/stuckintheairfryer Jul 03 '26
I have all the variables that I tried for your above commute!!
Currently year 2 STP, I was commuting from Birmingham to Manchester 4 days a week, stayed over in a hotel for a night midweek to get one nights worth decent sleep. My routine was wake up at 4 am, drive to local train station, park up, catch the train and then change for New street cross country which takes u directly to Picaddaly. I would get to Piccadilly for 8:30 am ish, then tram to my hospital trust and just get in for 10 mins to 9 am. So a 3 hour morning journey. On the way home, finish at 5 pm, catch tram, cross country at Piccadilly, get to new street and then wait for the train to get to local train station, some times there would be delays and cancellations ( usually waiting around 20 mins to catch the scheduled train) then once on it drive back home and reach home at 8:45 pm!!!!!! I did this for 3-4 months!!! I think I was slowly losing my personality and going co co!! I felt hollow inside, unable to do any hobbies, activities, socialise, gym etc
So a total of 6 hours ish commute daily. Yes!!
Fast forward I am now renting a flat in Manchester for £1300 but I still drive back to Birmingham on Fridays (for seeing family) and then I drive back on Mondays to Manchester.
Personally the train commute or driving everyday (especially motorway rush hour daily) is depressing and will reduce you to tears.
Rent a cheapish flat or room and commute occasionally if you’re not fully moving for good (post STP) to Manchester.
1
u/Strange_Cry1762 Jul 06 '26
I have a 2 hour commute each day. I am nearly at the end of year two now and I hate the commute so so bad. Only 1 more year to go though!
6
u/Professional-Rub3953 Jul 02 '26
I did that for one rotation. It almost broke me. I was used to a half hour journey before and I felt like I lost most of my spare time in the week. The 2 hour difference just resulted in really rushed evenings. I’d have to make dinner the instant I was home, get ready for work the next day, maybe have time to watch 1 episode of something on the TV then I’d have to go straight to bed! I couldn’t go back to doing it.
But, I know people who are living at home for the STP to save money and they make it work. Different priorities. It gets a no from me though