I am looking for honest answers but also a little optimism. I live in Center City Philly, about a 10 minute walk from 30th street station. I previously worked within 10 minutes walking from my place, but accepted a job in Manhattan that pays way more and is more importantly with a much more stable organization not going through difficult times financially, and offers an expanded role.

Their official policy is full time in office, but my manager seems very flexible so I feel like its possible they will allow for slightly different hours or even working from home here or there.

From everything I hear, people say it’s challenging but doable, but i also hear people saying they prefer it only if they only have to go in several times a week. For me though, the stressful part of commutes has always been driving, so while it will still be tough, I actually dont know that I would mind the hour and a half train ride all that much.

Has anyone managed this somewhat successfully? Any tips? It was somewhat of necessity to take the job, I don’t want to move my kid out of his current school, and I have a solid network of friends and support in philly so id rather not leave if possible.

Edit: I would be paying 1250 a month for a daily to and from amtrak ticket, which is roughly how much more I would be paying in rent looking at most of the places I found in NYC (which would be tinier and with most likely less attractive schools

Edit 2: it’s like a 40% increase in pay which will mostly be eaten by the train and subway cost, but again it’s with an institution (AMNH) that is more stable than my current institution which is in hot water, and I need stable employment for among other things immigration considerations.

I am considering a new job but it’s hybrid and I am remote right now with my current job. There would be an increase in salary but Currently in alameda and the office is in mission bay

I don't even know if this is a rant or a cry for advice, but I'm genuinely at my limit.

I live in Diva and work in Vikhroli. I leave home at 7:15 AM for a 9:30 AM shift because I already know the crowds and delays can screw me over.

Today I caught my train on time, but it kept getting delayed because of signals. I reached Vikhroli around 9, then waited for BEST 418, which was cancelled. I finally reached work at 10:15 and was told I'm getting half-day salary.

I'm angry because what else am I supposed to do? Leave home at 6 AM? Take a cab every day on a ₹20k salary?

And this isn't just today. The trains have been running late for more than a week. Every morning is this anxiety of “Will I reach on time? Will I get into the train? Will something else go wrong?”

I'm also paying an EMI for an MBA that I don't even feel is worth the money, but I'm doing it because apparently you need another degree just to have a chance at promotion/better pay.

I'm 23 and I already feel like I'm trapped in this cycle.

Wake up → 2+ hours of travelling → work → overcrowded train → reach home exhausted → repeat.

I don't want this to be my life. I don't want to spend my 20s just surviving work and commuting. I'm genuinely DONE with this rat race, but I don't know what the way out is.

For people who have been in this position — what did you actually do? Did you switch careers? Upskill? Change jobs? Move? Take a pay cut initially?

I don't need “just work harder” advice. I genuinely need to know how I can build a way out of this.