I could really use some help from our urban-dwelling dopers–especially those who have or used to have long commutes.
I live in one of the outer boroughs of New York. Until a month and a half ago, I had the holy grail of New York living situations–an apartment I loved, in a neighborhood I loved, with a job I loved that it didn’t take me too long to get to (45 minutes in either direction, with a seat at least most of the time.)
But now my job location has changed to an area of Manhattan that’s particularly far from where I live. So I have a job that I still love, an apartment that I still love, and a neighborhood that I still love, but the commute–my Lord.
If I’m lucky, it’s an hour each way, standing in a packed subway car, contorted into a weird position to keep holding on, with two transfers.
If I’m not lucky, it’s an hour and a half each way, standing a packed subway car, bracing myself against the juddering, shaking, and squealing of the train. With two transfers, and my head right up against some guy’s sweaty armpit.
Quitting or changing my job is out of the question. I love what I do, and there aren’t many opportunities to do it and make a decent living. Professionally, I have the best deal possible, and I’m not giving that up.
So, I’m looking to move. I’ve been looking at apartments and such for three weeks now, and I keep walking away feeling miserable from each one. There really isn’t a neighborhood I like as much as the one I’m in. And, for about $200.00 more per month than I pay now, I could get a mediocre-to-crappy shoebox apartment somewhere safe (but not necessarily all that nice) closer to work. Or, for more or less the price I’m paying now, I could get a really nice apartment in a Crack-and-Boarded-Windowsville with a quick commute. I’ve decided the second option is out.
It breaks my heart to move, but the physical stress of standing and bracing myself on the train for 2 to 3 hours a day is driving me nuts. My diet has gone to crap, I’m sore all the time, and my social life has dwindled to nothing because I just don’t have the energy for it. On Sunday, I decided to treat myself–not to a nice restaurant, a visit to somewhere special, or a wonderful novel, but to a day of staying in bed, not being on or thinking about the train at all. That’s just sad.
I’d love to find a way to deal with the commute, if possible. That way, I could stay in my neighborhood and my apartment. Those of you with long, physically stressful commutes–what do you do to make it work out OK? Those of you who used to have long, physically stressful commutes–was moving worthwhile, even if the place you live now isn’t as nice as where you left?
I’d love to hear your perspectives on this.