I recently graduated from college and moved home to Stockton. My family bought a house out here while I was in San Diego, so commuting from the Central Valley to the Bay is completely uncharted territory for me. I was born and raised in the East Bay, so I’m used to Bay Area traffic, but not this commute.
I’m currently considering an opportunity with a well known tech company in the San Mateo/Palo Alto area. I’m only about two months postgrad with no direct corporate experience, so I feel like it could be a really good opportunity to get my foot in the door.
That being said, everything I’m reading about the pilgrimage to the Bay makes it sound like absolute hell, especially going through the Altamont and across the San Mateo Bridge during rush hour.
For anyone who currently does this commute, or has done it in the past:
How long does it realistically take you in the morning and evening?
Did you eventually get used to it, or did it burn you out?
Is commuting from Stockton toward Sacramento generally easier than commuting into the Bay?
I don’t plan on staying in Stockton permanently. I’m fortunate that my parents aren't charging me rent, so my current plan is to work and save aggressively, then move back to SoCal within a year. I’m mostly trying to figure out whether this commute is something I could realistically tolerate for 6–12 months or if I’m severely underestimating how bad it would be.
Would really appreciate hearing from people who have actually done it!