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I live in a village outside High Wycombe, I cycle 25 mins to the station, 30mins train to Marylebone, then 25 mins to the office. Same in reverse. On average I probably ride 4 days a week, then if it's pissing down with rain or I'm knackered I will drive to the station then get the tube.
Pros: I do like the cycling 90% of the time
Keeps me fit(ish)
Cheaper than driving & parkingCons: there's no denying the time is a massive ballache. I leave the house at 6.20am and get back at either 18.45 or 19.15 depending which train I get. It can cause friction at home (although my wife wanted to move out here in the first place haha.)
Train costs £350 per month. I usually get a seat but I think that Chiltern are the exception speaking to my colleagues who commute on different linesHowever, having said all this, I love living in the Chilterns, it is brilliant for the kids, my house is twice as big as my old house in London etc etc. If I could wfh 1 day a week (currently in negotiations) that would be perfect. For me the benefits do outweigh the negatives (just)
EDIT also don't use a Brompton a) they are crap to ride b) everyone on the train will hate you. I have two cheapo commute bikes that I leave at each end
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el_presidente
Question which might be better placed in the 'moving out of London' thread but here goes.
We're looking at a house which is outside of London, its an absolute beaut, top end of our budget but gets us so much more than in London. We would both need to commute 4 days per week, 1 day wfh. The commute would be 3mile brompton, Thameslink into London (Finsbury Park or Kings X) and then either tube or brompton at the other end. So probably 1:10-1:30 door to door. My partner doesn't drive, I do (don't currently have a car). We work 9-5 but I have flexi hours. Don't have kids (yet).
How much of a ballache would this be? How big a change of life would this be? Currently living in Leytonstone, so not super central but worried we would just never see any of our friends, no uber, can't just 'pop' into town etc.
We aren't looking to move out of London as we love living here but this house is really lovely, seems commutable and is near to my partners parents.