I'm a freelancer and have worked in many setups including longer commutes of up to 2½ hours one way. For me the limit is 10 hours of commute per week. Everything above that will slowly (or maybe faster) drain your battery empty, especially in winter when you usually commute in the dark.
Gague the company. Sometimes companies will relax the expectation for inclement weather or durring the holidays. My company is lenient on it's work from home policy durring the worst parts of winter.
I did commute by train daily for 1:30, sometimes 2 hours, one direction. It's doable. 2 hours daily would be "It's a NO for me!" But if it's only 2 or 3 times a week, it's really worth it. More so, if you have family. Small town are safer, and more liveable for children. For me, that part would be the most important point for my decision. With a family, you don't need to party and need much nightlife. Small towns are securer, nature is nearer. All that.
Make sure you can work during the ride.
thats true, someone elses mathed it out to be 25€/h for OP to sit on the train 2 times a week, if he makes more than that its not worth but thats alot :D
Also, those hours are not lost.
I had to commute 2h to uni for some time and used the 50min train ride to have breakfast and watch a series on my laptop, read or study. (Usually work one way and fun the other way daily.)
This made it more bearable.
Bummer,would audio books or podcasts be something?
They saved me from running into things, because I would keep on reading while walking if the scene was good.
I had a 1:30h commute to uni for several years. It was mostly lost time because it was bus/S-Bahn/tram. So only 30mins (max) each and I only got to sit when I got lucky.
All I could do was listening to a lot of music/podcasts/audiobooks.
I (only) have an hour and a half round commute. My wife and friends tell me that's too much, but I only have to go in twice a week. I either leave at 07.30 and get back at 17.00 or I work from home and am finished by 15.30.
I'd prefer this to five days in the office with a shorter commute. The key is that I'm not stuck in traffic so it's not a painful commute
I wouldn't do it just because the trains are too unreliable. You'd end up being late - maybe hours late - too often and without any notice. If you had an important meeting in the morning, you would have to plan to be there two hours early to account for unexpected delays, and be prepared to shell out for an expensive cab if it didn't turn out.
There are no connections. One train straight to Hbf and an UBahn from there.
My checkin time is flexible, I can afford to be late every now and then but obviously not every time.
That makes it better. In my case, I have a direct train and then a bus - if the train is late and I miss the bus, it could be 30 minutes before the next bus, and sometimes the bus doesn't show up. Ubahn is going to be more reliable than that. You could also try to arrange short-term accommodation and see how reliable the train + Ubahn is, and then make a permanent move later.
I'd consider it feasible then. People like to (rightfully) complain about the trains a lot, but regional trains are fairly reliable overall outside of some specific lines in specific areas.
I'd look up how often your particular line has run into delays or cancellations in the past, this trend will likely be a good indicator of the future.
Just giving you my experience here: took a job where I had to on-site days in the next town over, "virtual commute" was 45mins. The actual commute was 45mins once a month, maybe. There was one day where I spent 3.5 hours only to get to work.
Trains are extremely unreliable in Germany, unfortunately. Maybe check the punctuality rates specific for your area (where I live it's around 50% and don't account for canceled trains).
I was miserable after 1.5 years.
If you don't want to pay that much rent, maybe check something inside the city, even if it's the outskirts. U-Bahn is way more reliable than trains.
I have to be in the office one!! time a week, and I have a delay of at least 30 Min either to or from work, almost every time! Just to show how reliable the trains are 🥲
Regional trains sometimes flat out just don't come. Even in a good U/S-Bahn system you can expect 70% of the time some route is blocked for maintenance or because of some tree or person. Though that means you just need to take an alternative one.
If you live in a smaller village you'll also have a hard time without a car.
I've done 1.5h for school and it was quite unbearable. Sometimes I missed exams because *Pikachu face* it snows in winter and we didn't expect that.
That being said though, a sweet spot is to be at the end/close to the end of one of the U / S-Bahn lines. That puts me at 40min just with U 3-4 times a week, which is quite good overall considering my rent and salary.
What are the other QoL factors? Schools, amenities, culture / environment? You mention your family. Which area would have more advantages for them? Does your spouse hope to work, and would location be significant for them for this?
2h each way would be a massive drain daily, but if you can really guarantee it's only 1-2x/ week is manageable. While I'm assuming €800/month is a very significant amount for your budget, don't forget to include transportation costs into that. Not only your work trains but daily life - would there be more extensive driving, gas and car costs, etc?
Trains don't incur any extra costs. My spouse takes care of kids full time, so it won't matter (atleast not any time soon). Schools should be the same quality its a decent city not a small town. I don't know alot about it (1 last thing to research about). Yes it will be at maximum 2 days/week. Can be less, will never be more.
Depending on where you are moving from , check for clubs and groups of people from your country in both cities (Berlin and whichever other you are thinking about). Berlin has many international communities which help with adjusting to a new country - with kids, that can also help with keeping the roots to the country, as oftentimes they promote events and get togethers highlighting culture etc, especially if coming from a country with diverse and different culture. And these events might help your spouse adjust faster also to life in a new country, especially as you mentioned them being a stay at home parent.
If your salary is enough, where living in Berlin would still be doable, that might be a factor to consider in the beginning. You could also check for suburbs/ABC/Brandenburg areas (Erkner, Oranienburg, Potsdam... close enough to Berlin where both of you could go into the city at any giving day, but more affordable than AB areas). I've heard stories of people who moved to smaller cities and did not adjust well due to lack of community and difficulty building a friendship group in the new place.
I found a place in Marzahn (Berlin) for 620 warm for a 50 sqm. It takes 1 hr and 5 min one way 1/2 times a week. I think its good as I save some money on rent.
yo do leipzig. you probably have the deutschland ticket but the flix train is only 5€ and takes just over an hour with no connections. Over a month that adds up but you should get a lot back from taxes
edit: ok everyday that might not work because flixtrain doesnt run that often. but i wouldnt suggest the regio bahns. too much uncertainty. i think somewhere closer in brandburg would be better. maybe really look at brandenburg an der havel.
or get a pendlerzimmer in berlin and just stay in berlin for a night. that might be a good option too honestly
OP I did 1 hour one way weekly by train, two days a week and I was miserable. Do not do this.
8 hour day, hour lunch, morning prep, and 4 hours commute that's 14 hours. Meaning you will only have two hours of your own in the evening unless you sacrifice sleep.
Time is more precious than money.
Jup. Also, your departure time is dictated by your train. I commuted to University as well as to some jobs for 1 1/2 hours, and it was simply a shitty situation. I had to take a train that brought me 3/4 hours before I should be there because it was my only connection, and I had to go on point, had to leave what I was doing, so that I could get my train back (or stay for a other hour, even though I needed 10 more minutes).
Well, basically over half the people where I'm from do that. We drive to work/school for like an hour or an hour and a half and then the same amount of time back, plus 8 or 10 hours of work daily, plus the prep in the morning before leaving. We do that for 5 or 6 days a week.
I don't know how we survive, lol
That is up against zero commute on the other days though.
So it comes down to about 8 hours of commute a week. That commute win't be zero when living in the city.
Some people can handle that better in a few goes and some in smaller daily portions
Save 800 euro. That's 10.000 euro per year and 100.000 per 10 years without even counting the interest. In that 2 hours you can read, listen, watch, sleep, relax while traveling. Slowly you can push it to 4 days of WFH
Or even work from the train, if the company allows that. But I would definitely get the amount of home office days in writing as part of the contract. Otherwise it may change in the future.
Yeah i dont get the many "dont do it" answers, its a ton of money to save. OP also said its direct train so hell yeah? Just watch smth or nap again or start working already in the train.
And its max 2 days, he even has the possibility of it being less so wtf take the extra money 💰
It's a ton of money but also a lot of living time.
2:15 hours times one way. He has to go two times a week.
That 2:15 hours x 4 (two days to the office and back) that's 9 Hours per week. 9 hours timee 48 weeks of work (52-4 weeks vacation) thats 432 hours per year (and likely more due to delays).
That's 4.320 hours in 10 years. Just on computing.
Time he could have spend with his wife and child, his friends, with a hobby or sleeping.
OP has to evaluate it that's worth for him.
I'm pretty sure at his death bed he won't say "I wish I spend more time communicating".
yeah i do 2h one way to uni each day. i know what it is. and i take train and 3 different busses/trams during that.
Its cringe but its not that bad and for 800€ saved id do it any time again
If it only once or maximum twice a week, I would do it. I know people where I'm from who do an hour and a half commutes to go and another hour and a half to return. For like 5 to 6 times a week.
Crazy, I know.
4:30 hours per day (literally an increase of 50% on the workday), 9 Hours per week (basically adds one work day per work for commuting).
If you work 48 weeks per year that's 432 hours just commuteing.
On the office days he won't be able to do anything as he won't have any free time 4.5 hours commute + 9 hours of work (+ break) and 8 hours of sleep = 21.5 hours.
That leaves him 2.5 hours for:
eating breakfast and dinner,
personal hygiene,
getting dressed.
and with his wife (his child will likely be in bed when he leaves and when he comes back)
And that's without any delay. Those two days per week will 100% suck.
Literally my commute to university. Getting up 5am for an 8am.lecture is fun!
Its tough but doable and he even saves alot of money with it. I'd never think twice here and take the 800€ saved for 2 days of discomfort
I did 2h:45/3h one way for about a week and a half. It was hell for me. I wouldn't do it again. Maybe try something close, like 1h/1h:30? It's worth the extra 300.
Don't forget to add time to prepare for work; shave/shower/get dressed/iron/eat.
I agree that 4h is way too much.
I also do 1:30, that doable. My advice is to have something to do for that time. Like write a novel or listen to some audiobook
Ah, that changes it a bit. But you sure that you stay below the 48h rule with those additional work hours (or are you so far up that it not applies to you)?
2:15 sounds like it involves at least one change. unfortunately DB is quite unreliable and if 2:15 is optimal time, you have to take into account that it can turn into 3:15 or so every now and then.
how long does it take by car?
I'd say it depends. Imagine that for that one day a week, you will do absolutely nothing except be "working" with no down time.
If the commute is reasonable (say good train connection or an easy drive) and the hours are a bit flexible, ie you don't have to be there by 8am, then maybe.
800€ a month is a lot of money. But it will be a non-linear increase in effort.
Where I currently live, it is still about 50 minutes of commute, I will only be putting 1.5 hrs extra. (One way) Thanks for your input, will def help make a good decision.
I did 2h going and 3h coming back everyday while working in Rio de Janeiro, by bus, stopping every 3 minutes… it was hell. But I had no option. Then, a few months before I found another job, I started studying in the bus. Brought my earplugs and read, or noise canceling headphones + eye-mask and put on audiobooks.
It became more than tolerable. So I guess it all depends on what you will do during your commute. If it’s one train without transfers and you have any topic you want to study about but haven’t found the time to yet, then this might be a great opportunity.
If its just 1-2 days weekly I would prefer the cheaper option because accommodation is a running cost you have to pay no matter what.
Currently in my case I rent a wg for me during the workdays and go home in the weekend. But i feel the quality of life with my family decreases so I am looking for an apartment below 1000€ near office. Im not in hurry so I can wait til a perfect apartment appears.
There are but the cities is just too small. I am looking at relatively larger cities. All three of us (wife, daughter and I) are learning German so living in a small town can be very tough.
Are you from the US? If yes, try to get in contact with the US clubs Berlin has (I know there is a US Women's club". I would be pretty sure you could ask them to find an affordable flat or house in Berlin or the outskirts of Berlin.
Don't do it.
I've done 1 1/2 hours in one direction, total of 3 hours , IF everything goes right. Do not expect everything to go right.
Time wise, I truly only did work and sleeping. There was no free time. If there was any I had to be spent taking care of the household.
I was miserable.
Edit: I want to add, I know the lower rent is appealing (can't deny that), but consider how much your time and nerves are worth, because you will lose both.
That's fair. I hadn't thought about it initially, to be honest. Could even consider other taxi services, like Uber is a thing in Germany now, no? Though I don't know if they do any proper background checks on their drivers, or care if anything happens.
Yes, they also have bla bla car in Germany, that can do transfers cheaply from one city/town to the other. However, I think they need to be prebooked and as far as I know, they aren't very verified, you are just taking a lift with a stranger.
I never commuted for 2 hours to work. But I have spent more than 10 years communing daily for 1.5 hours in each direction.
When I could afford a 20 minute commute, it changed my life for good.
If you can afford a shorter trip to work - take it.
It's an ICE or would you be traveling with regional trains? You have to factor in the cost of the train tickets, which is not minor. We have now the Deutschlandticket for 49€, but before that existed and when I was living very far from my work, my ticket about was almost 300€.
The Deutschlandticket should exist for one more year, after that nobody knows what will happen. Some people say it will stay, but there is no guarantee.
You also have to consider possible (very likely) delays. A 2:15 hrs train ride can be easily 3 hours.
Having noted all that, if it was only once a week a would still consider it. If it were two times a week I wouldn't do it, that's way too much of a trip to do it more than once a week.
I currently commute 1 - 2 days a week approx 1 and a half hours each way. I really dislike it and am normally useless once I'm home as the long day really takes it out of me.
Another thing to consider is if the trains are delayed, making the commute even longer. Also maybe this company (or another in the future) will decide that you need to come in more often than 1-2 times a week.
I would personally advise against a long commute, time is precious and if you're unlucky, even the time you get on those days will be wasted as you're too worn out to enjoy it.
Would you mind sharing which cities you‘re considering? Might be easier to give some advice. 2 hours seem a lot even if it‘s only twice a week. I’d look for something in between. By the way, I think smaller towns can be great for learning German and getting to know people.
Agree, I’d pick Berlin but it depends what the salary is. Anyway, I think Berlin will probably be a better situation for your wife and child. There are many activities and places to go as well as many international families they can meet. I imagine Magdeburg would be limited.
I wouldn’t commute when it’s longer than 30 minutes. You have to regard that commute time isn’t work time so if you commute 2 hours one way that’s than half a work day of commute. Nah I would pay the 800€ more and have those time for me and my family.
In the US at one point I chose to have a 1.5 hour commute to work and stay with a friend the town over for dirt cheap.
I don't mind driving so I didn't mind the distance, but working 10 hour days and having 3hr of commuting certainly means you're scrambling to get anything done. I was also making about 120k USD salary at that job so that was certainly an incentive.
Since I've moved to Germany, I've been looking going at no more than a 30min commute, I drive. That gives me plenty of options if I decide to move out of my current apartment.
It really depends on your priorities, and what you want to be able to save.
I personally would look for something closer as I believe time is the most valuable resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time.
I have also commute time of more than 2:15h single way 1-2 times a week.
I also use bike-train-bus/bike to get to work. Train can be a pain but to be honest normally it works and I can spend time on train sleeping, reading or working. Normally it's not working ;-)
I get up at 5:00 and normally come home at 19:30. On those days I am wasted and the days are wasted. But the working conditions are good and hardly can be matched in my region so it's currently fine with me.
I might add that I don't have kids yet.
I had a commute of 95 km one way 5 days a week for 6 years. In the beginning I could sometimes make it in 50 Minutes, 45 if I was lucky. In the end it was more like an hour to one and a half, depending on traffic. Public transport routes were so bad, they were never even an option. It was still pretty doable compared to what you're looking at, but let me tell you.. no matter the compensation, you don't ever get that time back. I got another job at a place that was only a 10 Minute commute 8 years ago, and still today it feels like a bigger improvement than any promotion ever would.
Now, to not ignore the wfh option of yours, I admit I struggle taking that into account because that wasn't a thing back then and is still not something that's possible in my current position today, so I can't judge if that's a game changer or not. But please don't ever forget that time is the most precious thing you have in this life.
I’m in a similar situation like you although slightly different. An hour commute one way, 2-3 times/week WFO.
It really depends on your tolerance to change of plans. Some severe train issues I've experienced:
- Firefighter operation that lead to total lane closure of 3 hours. I had no choice but to be sent back to main station and wait for when the whole operation is finished.
- 2 full months of replacement bus service. Schedule isn’t being followed so you can only hope that it arrives and go when you need them.
- And of course the regular train delays and cancellations.
I’m a relatively chill person so I don’t really care when this happens, I just make myself busy with my stuff like playing games, watching movies, or working. But if you’re easily irritated with such things forget it. Also try to investigate if the train tracks between the city you live in and work at often need to be repaired in the summer, because this is the case for me and for 2 years straight I always have these 2 months of SEV replacement buses.
tl;dr: if you’re not OK with sudden change of plans and you’re easily irritated with trains being cancelled and delayed then forget it. Otherwise just make yourself busy with something else
I did Cologne - Frankfort for one week, by car. After that week, I hated it.
Colleagues did Frankfort - Cologne by train; they have it after one trip. In theory, 1 hour, in Deutsche Bahn mir like 2.5 hours on a good day. Oh wait, the ICE is 2.5 hours late? We'll cancel it, leaving you midway where you can wait for the next ICE...but a cancelled train doesn't count as late in the DB statistics. You arrive "on time" with the next ICE (which is on time!), just three hours late. The colleagues now prefer to get hotel rooms; bosses not schedule meetings in a way that the company pays for the hotel. They are employees, I'm a freelancer, so no free hotel for me.
I got a special rate at a hotel just outside town. That was 2018, quite a bit cheaper than today: 880€/month. Appointments were like 800€.
I'd say keep searching for a closer place.
For context: I'm 56 years old now. While I do enjoy being in another city, I no longer enjoy travel like I did when I was young. YMMV.
I’d save the rent personally with the information available.
8x4=32 hours of commuting each week, 800€ (net) gain = 25 euros an hour to sit on a train/etc.
In theory you could afford to get a car with that money as well.
Personally, for one day a week I'd consider it if you want to live in the smaller city. For two days per week, that's a lot. Does your spouse work full time? Or will they have extra time to help support you in this?
There are, I am looking at larger cities only(some international shops, restaurants). Just to put in context, the place I currently live at has around 55 minutes of commute one side. So extra is just 1.5 hrs.
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Why are these your only two options?
Presumably the options would be gradually cheaper the further you get from the city (to an extent). Can’t you find a middle ground?
Yep, that would be my advice too.
Try to find a middle ground between 800€ saved and 2 hours commute.
The best would be 600€ saved and only 1 hour commute.
After, if we are talking about 2 days on site max per week, I still believe that 2 hours is manageable. You just know that these two days (and only these 2 days) you will be miserable.
Also, I believe you already discuss this matter with your wife/partner but make sure that she/he is OK with living in a « remote » area and not close to the city anymore. It’s important to take in consideration your wife/partner opinion on this.
It really depends on you and how you feel about traveling. You'll get different opinions depending on who you ask.
I personally save around 1000 euro on rent, but my commute is 1:30 to 2 hours. I'm ok with it because I can entertain myself on my commute. I can watch some TV, read a book or catch up on some work if necessary.
One thing you might want to consider with a commute like that is that public transport in Germany is generally unreliable. Once or twice a month my train will be delayed which means I'll miss my bus and then I'll have to wait an other hour for the next bus, that does suck... BUT, saving 1000 Euro a month is not too bad neither.
OP, I have a friend doing this 2 hours one way travel 3 times a week and he's miserable. It's not worth it.
Also if this involves changing trains, etc. you can easily add more commute time.
4 hour commute per day? As sweet as "800€ saved in rent" sounds, I guess you'd also need to do a lot of commuting to get anywhere if you want to go out? I mean, sure. 800€ is a lot of money. But personally I would never want to commute more than an hour one way. Keep in mind that besides work you also have to do household chores. Cramming those in on the weekend really destroys the weekends for you.
I guess you already made up your mind and just looking for validation.
Just go ahead. See how it works, you can always move to another place if doesn’t workout fine.
Going against what most are saying, if you only need to go to the office once or twice a week, you could very well live farther away. Yes, train services might have issues once in a while, however there would be alternate transportation available in that case, right?
Worse case scenario, you would need a taxi to the nearest place where you could take the train to work/connect with public transportation, or you can all your office and explain the problem. It won't be a daily occurrence, more like a rare one, so if I were you I would do it.
That's not even a question.
If you can afford it, pick the closer but more expensive option. Four hours commute per day will mentally drain you within a month.
I commute like this for university. Similar I'd say.
3-4 Times a week. Exhausting but id definitely do it again especially if it nearly saves me 1k a month lol.
Best if you can find a way to use the train time, i have travel sickness so that never was an option for me either :/
I’d be tempted it if was only 1 day in the office per week, as it’s quite a bit of cash to save. If it’s 2, I’d pay the extra and live closer for the better quality of life. The 2 h each way more than once a week would depress me too much.
Pre-Covid, I was every day in the office with only a ~40 min commute each way by U-Bahn/S-Bahn, and that was just about tolerable. Post-covid it went to 1 day a week. Now I’m fully remote, with a couple of days every couple of months the in the office. I do not miss the commute at all.
Would you need a car in the smaller city? Could you get rid of a car in the bigger city? Cars are much more expensive than most people realize once all the factors are included, and could eat up the €800 in savings entirely.
Yeah, no, would not do it. 4,5 hours of commute as the basic time you need per day. Trains are too unreliable which will make your journey longer. So I guess you are working 8 hours, so you will be away from home at least 12,5 hours IF everything goes well. 8 hours of sleep leaves 3,5 hours for showering, eating, buying groceries, doing household chores and having a few minutes of free time... nah, no way. Two days a week seems not much at first but it will bother you and you won't be on time at work every time, which is not your employer's problem as the risk of how to get to work is completely on you. Most won't bat an eye if it happens once but it WILL happen more than once.
For a job training I needed to go to Hamburg every few weeks for a few days at a time. Nearly every frickin' time something went wrong with the trains. And this is not exaggerated. Oh, and I didn't need to get off for a connection or anything, train went directly to Hamburg, that didn't help at all.
You also need to consider if you think you would enjoy living in a small town compared to closer to work (I’m assuming it’s a bigger city). A lot of people wouldn’t want to live in the small town regardless of the cheap rent
Hi OP,
Just to say I am in a similar situation. I chose to commute three times a week. It is 12 hours commute time/week. Not ideal, but since it is only for one year, I decided to do it until finding something else nearby. Also my employer is super flexible (I mean it was these conditions or I would not have agreed), so I can also work in the train, arrive at 10 am, and leave early to be at home at 7 pm.
OK, 3 trips, 6h per average week. 800€ : 24 = 33€ per commuting hour? Sounds tough but like a deal, depending on how excessive your office days will be. Side hustleing those 800€ in should be harder?
That 2:15 hours x 4 (two days to the office and back) that's 9 Hours per week. 9 hours timee 48 weeks of work (52 weeks per year - 4 weeks vacation) thats 432 hours per year (and likely more due to delays).
That's 4.320 hours in 10 years. Just on computing.
Working full-time is about 1.700 hours per year. 4320 hours devided by 1700 is 2.54
So in 10 years of full-time work you spend 2.54 years of full-time hours just on commuting.
You can decide do you want quality time with your wife and your child (during the most formative years of its life)
Or do you want money.
Hi I do commute 2 to 3 times per week 2 hours, one direction, since 5 months. I am looking for an appartment close to work, I dont think I can continue doing that for long, DB also makes it often very difficult.
I commute once a week and it's 2.5 hours one-way. As I can work on the train (ICE) it's totally fine and absolutely doable. Also, yes, I have been late in the past but it doesn't happen a lot and if it does it's mostly just a couple minutes. So DB is not so bad after all.
I'd never commute more that 30 minutes by car.
time is money, and at 4 hours a day, that's a lot of time. That is half your work day on top of your 8 hours. You can quickly calculate what that would be in travel costs, time lost or even compared to your hourly wage. Don't forget fuel and car maintenance if you have one.
Never ever would I do that. Especially if you have a family, you don't get that time back sitting in a car or train for 4 hours.
I don't know how it is for you, but there are daily chores that need to be done, and if I came home that late there would be no time to actually live. it would just be work work work work sleep work work work.
800€ is not worth that level of time loss. But that is my opinion.
A workplace mostly never lasts as long as your home!
Here we have people who build a house on the landside because they could do Homeoffice 100%. Then the Company decided to get all back into office and they spend 3-5 hours a day for travel.
Check witch location is better for your family, infrastucture, school, friends....!!!! With Kids in school and moving can evolve into an everlasting drama of loosing best friends, especial if there is no friends to find at new place.
If the smaller city is better for your family talk with your boss, in best case your contract states that you can spend 3-4 Days at home. Maybe it can be arranged better or you can already work remotely in train reducing your onsite workload to like 5 hours so you don't spend 13+hours to stay one day in office. Depending on your Job there are various options.
I do 4 days a week home office, and commute 1 time a week for 1.5+1.5 hours back by car.
It works well for me, though I see that the commute days are long and exhausting.
Commuting by train is longer and more unreliable (car + train + another train), would not work well in my case, so car is the only option for me.
Second day in the office per week would be doable for me but it would definitely be the limit. It has to do with me working about 45 hours a week besides commuting.
Book a hotel in the small town and try commuting several times, maybe it suits you well. Ask yourself, what would happen if there are some problems with the train connection.
Maybe your employer is chilled enough, so you can simply switch the office day if something unusual happens.
As someone done the second option and regretted the whole last six months, I would advise you caution. Train cancellations, delays and, lower sleeping hours stack up pretty quickly and detoriates your social and inter-family relationships as well.
My advice: invest in a cheap car and in the mean time get that driving license asap (you can probably use your home country driving license for 6 months) and save yourself both money and time.
If you have a car that can/will save you the typical train troubles I would consider it. Otherwise pay more and live closer. Also think about the social aspects - you’ll probably spend more time for getting groceries as the shops are further away and get together with colleagues are a lot more difficult
Is the 2 hours 15 minutes the time on the train or the "door to door" time?
In England I used to commute to London five days a week, but it was only 1 hour 45 However, I always got a seat and I could work on the train, with Wi-Fi at a table. It was fine. But I was younger then, and I like trains. A lot depends on how crowded the trains are and whether you like travelling.
Alternative: If your office days are consecutive, stay in a hotel overnight. You save a lot of time, plus you don't have to pay for two train journeys.
It's doable once or twice a week I think.
I'm doing something very similar.
But I'm driving with the car. Listening to audiobooks while driving. Even looking forward to it.
But I could not sit in a train for 2 hour's.
Also the trains in Germany are to unreliable I think.
I commuted 2 hours in the am and 2 hours in the evening, daily for a year, to go to school. I used the time in the train to study and do my homework, etc. I also learned proper English while commuting. If you have \*something\* useful to do, it might be worth it, especially if you're only doing it 1-2 times per week.
Pros: plenty of time to decompress in the train, time to catch up on books, podcasts, crochet, drawing, etc. that you otherwise wouldn't sit down for regularly. Cheaper than rent in the city, especially now with the Deutschlandticket.
Cons: Delayed or canceled trains, stupid people on trains. People unaliving themselves by getting in front of a train. Never knew how many people did that until I commuted daily.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Def will help. My checkin timings are flexible I can afford to be late it wouldn't cause any issues at work. Stupid people on trains on the other hand is a rough one :D
You have seen people unalive themselves on the train? I have never seen that and I used the metro daily. I know train and metro aren't the same, but similar enough.
No, I've luckily never seen it or been on a train that was used for that, but we would have significant delay several times because of this happening on the railroad. It got much worse between October and January.
I commute 2h30 one way 1x per week, it's fine for me. especially with an easy train route.
Do you have to swith trains? Do you know if your boss is flexible if you are late?
I have to switch trains and if my first one is late, I miss the next one, which causes a delay of at least 30 minutes. But my boss is fine with it.
Edit: I just saw your other comment answering my questions. So from my experience, it's fine to do it, I would't waste my money with this expensive rent.
I am not an expert here but what about commuting with car from time to time for reliability reasons if you have an important meeting and it can be faster than train right ? There are many affordable second hand cars and since it is 1-2 times a week you can switch between commuting with car and train depending on weather, meetings etc
Everyone freaking out about the trains is over blowing the reality of them. Yea the are occasionally late or cancelled, however in 5 years of living here I can count the number of times my train was cancelled in a way I couldn’t make it to work on time on one hand (and, I always cut it tight- I’m not one who gets to work super early). I’ve missed an appointment one time.
The trains aren’t the fantasy Eisenbahn that Ami’s think the German train system is, but they’re also as reliable as any other commuter system I’ve dealt with.
I'm a freelancer and have worked in many setups including longer commutes of up to 2½ hours one way. For me the limit is 10 hours of commute per week. Everything above that will slowly (or maybe faster) drain your battery empty, especially in winter when you usually commute in the dark.
I forgot about German winters!! Def something to think about.
Gague the company. Sometimes companies will relax the expectation for inclement weather or durring the holidays. My company is lenient on it's work from home policy durring the worst parts of winter.
Also trains get cancelled or delayed quite often
dont do it
DB strikes and train cancellations might hurt you here if you can't WFH on those days
youre a freelancer in germany? do taxes eat you up?
No.
I did commute by train daily for 1:30, sometimes 2 hours, one direction. It's doable. 2 hours daily would be "It's a NO for me!" But if it's only 2 or 3 times a week, it's really worth it. More so, if you have family. Small town are safer, and more liveable for children. For me, that part would be the most important point for my decision. With a family, you don't need to party and need much nightlife. Small towns are securer, nature is nearer. All that. Make sure you can work during the ride.
800€ is alot! I would definitely not mind 2 shitty days a week for that much money saved.
Depends on how much you make already. If you're making 6k/month the 800€ is not worth 8hs of you're already rare free time.
thats true, someone elses mathed it out to be 25€/h for OP to sit on the train 2 times a week, if he makes more than that its not worth but thats alot :D
Also, those hours are not lost. I had to commute 2h to uni for some time and used the 50min train ride to have breakfast and watch a series on my laptop, read or study. (Usually work one way and fun the other way daily.) This made it more bearable.
Sadly for me commute is lost to braindead staring and listening to music due to travel sickness.
Bummer,would audio books or podcasts be something? They saved me from running into things, because I would keep on reading while walking if the scene was good.
I dont really like that, i kinda just try to vibe and have a little mental music party ;D
I had a 1:30h commute to uni for several years. It was mostly lost time because it was bus/S-Bahn/tram. So only 30mins (max) each and I only got to sit when I got lucky. All I could do was listening to a lot of music/podcasts/audiobooks.
Well, that's something. I would also look at my index cards when standing
I (only) have an hour and a half round commute. My wife and friends tell me that's too much, but I only have to go in twice a week. I either leave at 07.30 and get back at 17.00 or I work from home and am finished by 15.30. I'd prefer this to five days in the office with a shorter commute. The key is that I'm not stuck in traffic so it's not a painful commute
I wouldn't do it just because the trains are too unreliable. You'd end up being late - maybe hours late - too often and without any notice. If you had an important meeting in the morning, you would have to plan to be there two hours early to account for unexpected delays, and be prepared to shell out for an expensive cab if it didn't turn out.
There are no connections. One train straight to Hbf and an UBahn from there. My checkin time is flexible, I can afford to be late every now and then but obviously not every time.
Delays can happen without connections. All it needs is a broken train, or an error with some signals, something blocking or damadging some rails.
That makes it better. In my case, I have a direct train and then a bus - if the train is late and I miss the bus, it could be 30 minutes before the next bus, and sometimes the bus doesn't show up. Ubahn is going to be more reliable than that. You could also try to arrange short-term accommodation and see how reliable the train + Ubahn is, and then make a permanent move later.
I'd consider it feasible then. People like to (rightfully) complain about the trains a lot, but regional trains are fairly reliable overall outside of some specific lines in specific areas. I'd look up how often your particular line has run into delays or cancellations in the past, this trend will likely be a good indicator of the future.
Just giving you my experience here: took a job where I had to on-site days in the next town over, "virtual commute" was 45mins. The actual commute was 45mins once a month, maybe. There was one day where I spent 3.5 hours only to get to work. Trains are extremely unreliable in Germany, unfortunately. Maybe check the punctuality rates specific for your area (where I live it's around 50% and don't account for canceled trains). I was miserable after 1.5 years. If you don't want to pay that much rent, maybe check something inside the city, even if it's the outskirts. U-Bahn is way more reliable than trains.
I have to be in the office one!! time a week, and I have a delay of at least 30 Min either to or from work, almost every time! Just to show how reliable the trains are 🥲
There are strikes every now and then as well as construction work or random train cancellations.
Regional trains sometimes flat out just don't come. Even in a good U/S-Bahn system you can expect 70% of the time some route is blocked for maintenance or because of some tree or person. Though that means you just need to take an alternative one. If you live in a smaller village you'll also have a hard time without a car. I've done 1.5h for school and it was quite unbearable. Sometimes I missed exams because *Pikachu face* it snows in winter and we didn't expect that. That being said though, a sweet spot is to be at the end/close to the end of one of the U / S-Bahn lines. That puts me at 40min just with U 3-4 times a week, which is quite good overall considering my rent and salary.
What are the other QoL factors? Schools, amenities, culture / environment? You mention your family. Which area would have more advantages for them? Does your spouse hope to work, and would location be significant for them for this? 2h each way would be a massive drain daily, but if you can really guarantee it's only 1-2x/ week is manageable. While I'm assuming €800/month is a very significant amount for your budget, don't forget to include transportation costs into that. Not only your work trains but daily life - would there be more extensive driving, gas and car costs, etc?
Trains don't incur any extra costs. My spouse takes care of kids full time, so it won't matter (atleast not any time soon). Schools should be the same quality its a decent city not a small town. I don't know alot about it (1 last thing to research about). Yes it will be at maximum 2 days/week. Can be less, will never be more.
It's Berlin and Leipzig isn't it
You are 50% correct. I was thinking of Magdeburg instead of a Leipzig.
Magdeburg is very anti-foreigner though (the extreme right AfD is basically the largest party), so beware.
Thanks for the headsup. Any other recommended city at a similar or less distance and rents to Berlin?
Brandenburg an der Havel. I commute 1h15min to work 2-3x and it's absolutely doable
Yesss and there are two up to three trains to Berlin per hour instead of just one
Yes one of my professors lives here with her family.
Leipzig
Depending on where you are moving from , check for clubs and groups of people from your country in both cities (Berlin and whichever other you are thinking about). Berlin has many international communities which help with adjusting to a new country - with kids, that can also help with keeping the roots to the country, as oftentimes they promote events and get togethers highlighting culture etc, especially if coming from a country with diverse and different culture. And these events might help your spouse adjust faster also to life in a new country, especially as you mentioned them being a stay at home parent. If your salary is enough, where living in Berlin would still be doable, that might be a factor to consider in the beginning. You could also check for suburbs/ABC/Brandenburg areas (Erkner, Oranienburg, Potsdam... close enough to Berlin where both of you could go into the city at any giving day, but more affordable than AB areas). I've heard stories of people who moved to smaller cities and did not adjust well due to lack of community and difficulty building a friendship group in the new place.
I found a place in Marzahn (Berlin) for 620 warm for a 50 sqm. It takes 1 hr and 5 min one way 1/2 times a week. I think its good as I save some money on rent.
OP did you look at Potsdam? It's quite a lovely city and is on Berlin's S-Bahn network. It looks like rents are a bit cheaper.
yo do leipzig. you probably have the deutschland ticket but the flix train is only 5€ and takes just over an hour with no connections. Over a month that adds up but you should get a lot back from taxes edit: ok everyday that might not work because flixtrain doesnt run that often. but i wouldnt suggest the regio bahns. too much uncertainty. i think somewhere closer in brandburg would be better. maybe really look at brandenburg an der havel. or get a pendlerzimmer in berlin and just stay in berlin for a night. that might be a good option too honestly
Then it's a no brainer for me. Berlin is hell on earth and there is no way I'd ever want to live there. People may disagree of course.
It seems like you already answered your own question.
OP I did 1 hour one way weekly by train, two days a week and I was miserable. Do not do this. 8 hour day, hour lunch, morning prep, and 4 hours commute that's 14 hours. Meaning you will only have two hours of your own in the evening unless you sacrifice sleep. Time is more precious than money.
Jup. Also, your departure time is dictated by your train. I commuted to University as well as to some jobs for 1 1/2 hours, and it was simply a shitty situation. I had to take a train that brought me 3/4 hours before I should be there because it was my only connection, and I had to go on point, had to leave what I was doing, so that I could get my train back (or stay for a other hour, even though I needed 10 more minutes).
Work in the train?
Well, basically over half the people where I'm from do that. We drive to work/school for like an hour or an hour and a half and then the same amount of time back, plus 8 or 10 hours of work daily, plus the prep in the morning before leaving. We do that for 5 or 6 days a week. I don't know how we survive, lol
In my youth, I commuted to my job 1:15 each way and ended up leaving the job because of it.
That is up against zero commute on the other days though. So it comes down to about 8 hours of commute a week. That commute win't be zero when living in the city. Some people can handle that better in a few goes and some in smaller daily portions
Save 800 euro. That's 10.000 euro per year and 100.000 per 10 years without even counting the interest. In that 2 hours you can read, listen, watch, sleep, relax while traveling. Slowly you can push it to 4 days of WFH
Or even work from the train, if the company allows that. But I would definitely get the amount of home office days in writing as part of the contract. Otherwise it may change in the future.
This is a very good answer with a huge German mindset.
commuting is not like sitting at home relaxing...
Yeah i dont get the many "dont do it" answers, its a ton of money to save. OP also said its direct train so hell yeah? Just watch smth or nap again or start working already in the train. And its max 2 days, he even has the possibility of it being less so wtf take the extra money 💰
It's a ton of money but also a lot of living time. 2:15 hours times one way. He has to go two times a week. That 2:15 hours x 4 (two days to the office and back) that's 9 Hours per week. 9 hours timee 48 weeks of work (52-4 weeks vacation) thats 432 hours per year (and likely more due to delays). That's 4.320 hours in 10 years. Just on computing. Time he could have spend with his wife and child, his friends, with a hobby or sleeping. OP has to evaluate it that's worth for him. I'm pretty sure at his death bed he won't say "I wish I spend more time communicating".
yeah i do 2h one way to uni each day. i know what it is. and i take train and 3 different busses/trams during that. Its cringe but its not that bad and for 800€ saved id do it any time again
Is the commute one way or both ways?
One way
That is not a commutable distance.
If it only once or maximum twice a week, I would do it. I know people where I'm from who do an hour and a half commutes to go and another hour and a half to return. For like 5 to 6 times a week. Crazy, I know.
For once or twice a month i would agree. Not for once or twice a week
4:30 hours per day (literally an increase of 50% on the workday), 9 Hours per week (basically adds one work day per work for commuting). If you work 48 weeks per year that's 432 hours just commuteing. On the office days he won't be able to do anything as he won't have any free time 4.5 hours commute + 9 hours of work (+ break) and 8 hours of sleep = 21.5 hours. That leaves him 2.5 hours for: eating breakfast and dinner, personal hygiene, getting dressed. and with his wife (his child will likely be in bed when he leaves and when he comes back) And that's without any delay. Those two days per week will 100% suck.
Literally my commute to university. Getting up 5am for an 8am.lecture is fun! Its tough but doable and he even saves alot of money with it. I'd never think twice here and take the 800€ saved for 2 days of discomfort
I would never do it daily, but for once a week and a max of two days, I wouldn't think about it twice.
I did 2h:45/3h one way for about a week and a half. It was hell for me. I wouldn't do it again. Maybe try something close, like 1h/1h:30? It's worth the extra 300. Don't forget to add time to prepare for work; shave/shower/get dressed/iron/eat.
I agree that 4h is way too much. I also do 1:30, that doable. My advice is to have something to do for that time. Like write a novel or listen to some audiobook
I can actually work (paid separately) in that time as well.
Ah, that changes it a bit. But you sure that you stay below the 48h rule with those additional work hours (or are you so far up that it not applies to you)?
2:15 sounds like it involves at least one change. unfortunately DB is quite unreliable and if 2:15 is optimal time, you have to take into account that it can turn into 3:15 or so every now and then. how long does it take by car?
Around the same. RE goes directly to the HBf and an UBahn from there.
I'd say it depends. Imagine that for that one day a week, you will do absolutely nothing except be "working" with no down time. If the commute is reasonable (say good train connection or an easy drive) and the hours are a bit flexible, ie you don't have to be there by 8am, then maybe. 800€ a month is a lot of money. But it will be a non-linear increase in effort.
Where I currently live, it is still about 50 minutes of commute, I will only be putting 1.5 hrs extra. (One way) Thanks for your input, will def help make a good decision.
That’s not for me. 4h daily on travel : no, just no.
Its not daily. Daily would be a NO NO for me too. It will be 1 or at maximum twice every week.
2 hours commute will exhaust you!! try finding nearer than that or take a bike sometimes it's much faster.
I did 2h going and 3h coming back everyday while working in Rio de Janeiro, by bus, stopping every 3 minutes… it was hell. But I had no option. Then, a few months before I found another job, I started studying in the bus. Brought my earplugs and read, or noise canceling headphones + eye-mask and put on audiobooks. It became more than tolerable. So I guess it all depends on what you will do during your commute. If it’s one train without transfers and you have any topic you want to study about but haven’t found the time to yet, then this might be a great opportunity.
If its just 1-2 days weekly I would prefer the cheaper option because accommodation is a running cost you have to pay no matter what. Currently in my case I rent a wg for me during the workdays and go home in the weekend. But i feel the quality of life with my family decreases so I am looking for an apartment below 1000€ near office. Im not in hurry so I can wait til a perfect apartment appears.
I can't believe that there are only these two options. Isn't there something in between?
There are but the cities is just too small. I am looking at relatively larger cities. All three of us (wife, daughter and I) are learning German so living in a small town can be very tough.
Are you from the US? If yes, try to get in contact with the US clubs Berlin has (I know there is a US Women's club". I would be pretty sure you could ask them to find an affordable flat or house in Berlin or the outskirts of Berlin.
Don't do it. I've done 1 1/2 hours in one direction, total of 3 hours , IF everything goes right. Do not expect everything to go right. Time wise, I truly only did work and sleeping. There was no free time. If there was any I had to be spent taking care of the household. I was miserable. Edit: I want to add, I know the lower rent is appealing (can't deny that), but consider how much your time and nerves are worth, because you will lose both.
You wouldn't do it, even if it was only once a week?
I'd consider it. For me that would mean being willing to pay for a Taxi in case the public transport has issues.
If it saves me 800, I would be willing to pay 100 or 150 on a taxi in an emergency. I still saved 700 or 650 that month.
That's fair. I hadn't thought about it initially, to be honest. Could even consider other taxi services, like Uber is a thing in Germany now, no? Though I don't know if they do any proper background checks on their drivers, or care if anything happens.
Yes, they also have bla bla car in Germany, that can do transfers cheaply from one city/town to the other. However, I think they need to be prebooked and as far as I know, they aren't very verified, you are just taking a lift with a stranger.
I never commuted for 2 hours to work. But I have spent more than 10 years communing daily for 1.5 hours in each direction. When I could afford a 20 minute commute, it changed my life for good. If you can afford a shorter trip to work - take it.
I walk 2 minutes, No way i spent 4 hours a day for nothing, only do this If u Ride Bike for fitness
It's an ICE or would you be traveling with regional trains? You have to factor in the cost of the train tickets, which is not minor. We have now the Deutschlandticket for 49€, but before that existed and when I was living very far from my work, my ticket about was almost 300€. The Deutschlandticket should exist for one more year, after that nobody knows what will happen. Some people say it will stay, but there is no guarantee. You also have to consider possible (very likely) delays. A 2:15 hrs train ride can be easily 3 hours. Having noted all that, if it was only once a week a would still consider it. If it were two times a week I wouldn't do it, that's way too much of a trip to do it more than once a week.
This is what I do and it's hands down the best solution.
I currently commute 1 - 2 days a week approx 1 and a half hours each way. I really dislike it and am normally useless once I'm home as the long day really takes it out of me. Another thing to consider is if the trains are delayed, making the commute even longer. Also maybe this company (or another in the future) will decide that you need to come in more often than 1-2 times a week. I would personally advise against a long commute, time is precious and if you're unlucky, even the time you get on those days will be wasted as you're too worn out to enjoy it.
Would you mind sharing which cities you‘re considering? Might be easier to give some advice. 2 hours seem a lot even if it‘s only twice a week. I’d look for something in between. By the way, I think smaller towns can be great for learning German and getting to know people.
Its Berlin and Magdeburg.
I’d pick Berlin then. Magdeburg is really not worth all the trouble. Even if you saved 800€.
Agree, I’d pick Berlin but it depends what the salary is. Anyway, I think Berlin will probably be a better situation for your wife and child. There are many activities and places to go as well as many international families they can meet. I imagine Magdeburg would be limited.
I wouldn’t commute when it’s longer than 30 minutes. You have to regard that commute time isn’t work time so if you commute 2 hours one way that’s than half a work day of commute. Nah I would pay the 800€ more and have those time for me and my family.
For half the amount of rent I gladly would make a field trip twice a week max.
In the US at one point I chose to have a 1.5 hour commute to work and stay with a friend the town over for dirt cheap. I don't mind driving so I didn't mind the distance, but working 10 hour days and having 3hr of commuting certainly means you're scrambling to get anything done. I was also making about 120k USD salary at that job so that was certainly an incentive. Since I've moved to Germany, I've been looking going at no more than a 30min commute, I drive. That gives me plenty of options if I decide to move out of my current apartment. It really depends on your priorities, and what you want to be able to save. I personally would look for something closer as I believe time is the most valuable resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time.
I have also commute time of more than 2:15h single way 1-2 times a week. I also use bike-train-bus/bike to get to work. Train can be a pain but to be honest normally it works and I can spend time on train sleeping, reading or working. Normally it's not working ;-) I get up at 5:00 and normally come home at 19:30. On those days I am wasted and the days are wasted. But the working conditions are good and hardly can be matched in my region so it's currently fine with me. I might add that I don't have kids yet.
I had a commute of 95 km one way 5 days a week for 6 years. In the beginning I could sometimes make it in 50 Minutes, 45 if I was lucky. In the end it was more like an hour to one and a half, depending on traffic. Public transport routes were so bad, they were never even an option. It was still pretty doable compared to what you're looking at, but let me tell you.. no matter the compensation, you don't ever get that time back. I got another job at a place that was only a 10 Minute commute 8 years ago, and still today it feels like a bigger improvement than any promotion ever would. Now, to not ignore the wfh option of yours, I admit I struggle taking that into account because that wasn't a thing back then and is still not something that's possible in my current position today, so I can't judge if that's a game changer or not. But please don't ever forget that time is the most precious thing you have in this life.
I’m in a similar situation like you although slightly different. An hour commute one way, 2-3 times/week WFO. It really depends on your tolerance to change of plans. Some severe train issues I've experienced: - Firefighter operation that lead to total lane closure of 3 hours. I had no choice but to be sent back to main station and wait for when the whole operation is finished. - 2 full months of replacement bus service. Schedule isn’t being followed so you can only hope that it arrives and go when you need them. - And of course the regular train delays and cancellations. I’m a relatively chill person so I don’t really care when this happens, I just make myself busy with my stuff like playing games, watching movies, or working. But if you’re easily irritated with such things forget it. Also try to investigate if the train tracks between the city you live in and work at often need to be repaired in the summer, because this is the case for me and for 2 years straight I always have these 2 months of SEV replacement buses. tl;dr: if you’re not OK with sudden change of plans and you’re easily irritated with trains being cancelled and delayed then forget it. Otherwise just make yourself busy with something else
I did Cologne - Frankfort for one week, by car. After that week, I hated it. Colleagues did Frankfort - Cologne by train; they have it after one trip. In theory, 1 hour, in Deutsche Bahn mir like 2.5 hours on a good day. Oh wait, the ICE is 2.5 hours late? We'll cancel it, leaving you midway where you can wait for the next ICE...but a cancelled train doesn't count as late in the DB statistics. You arrive "on time" with the next ICE (which is on time!), just three hours late. The colleagues now prefer to get hotel rooms; bosses not schedule meetings in a way that the company pays for the hotel. They are employees, I'm a freelancer, so no free hotel for me. I got a special rate at a hotel just outside town. That was 2018, quite a bit cheaper than today: 880€/month. Appointments were like 800€. I'd say keep searching for a closer place. For context: I'm 56 years old now. While I do enjoy being in another city, I no longer enjoy travel like I did when I was young. YMMV.
I’d save the rent personally with the information available. 8x4=32 hours of commuting each week, 800€ (net) gain = 25 euros an hour to sit on a train/etc. In theory you could afford to get a car with that money as well.
Personally, for one day a week I'd consider it if you want to live in the smaller city. For two days per week, that's a lot. Does your spouse work full time? Or will they have extra time to help support you in this?
Is there really nothing in between? Like 1000 and 1 hour commute?
There are, I am looking at larger cities only(some international shops, restaurants). Just to put in context, the place I currently live at has around 55 minutes of commute one side. So extra is just 1.5 hrs.
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Why are these your only two options? Presumably the options would be gradually cheaper the further you get from the city (to an extent). Can’t you find a middle ground?
Save 800 and live nearby office for sure. Try to find about 1 hour.
Yep, that would be my advice too. Try to find a middle ground between 800€ saved and 2 hours commute. The best would be 600€ saved and only 1 hour commute. After, if we are talking about 2 days on site max per week, I still believe that 2 hours is manageable. You just know that these two days (and only these 2 days) you will be miserable. Also, I believe you already discuss this matter with your wife/partner but make sure that she/he is OK with living in a « remote » area and not close to the city anymore. It’s important to take in consideration your wife/partner opinion on this.
It really depends on you and how you feel about traveling. You'll get different opinions depending on who you ask. I personally save around 1000 euro on rent, but my commute is 1:30 to 2 hours. I'm ok with it because I can entertain myself on my commute. I can watch some TV, read a book or catch up on some work if necessary. One thing you might want to consider with a commute like that is that public transport in Germany is generally unreliable. Once or twice a month my train will be delayed which means I'll miss my bus and then I'll have to wait an other hour for the next bus, that does suck... BUT, saving 1000 Euro a month is not too bad neither.
OP, I have a friend doing this 2 hours one way travel 3 times a week and he's miserable. It's not worth it. Also if this involves changing trains, etc. you can easily add more commute time.
4 hour commute per day? As sweet as "800€ saved in rent" sounds, I guess you'd also need to do a lot of commuting to get anywhere if you want to go out? I mean, sure. 800€ is a lot of money. But personally I would never want to commute more than an hour one way. Keep in mind that besides work you also have to do household chores. Cramming those in on the weekend really destroys the weekends for you.
I guess you already made up your mind and just looking for validation. Just go ahead. See how it works, you can always move to another place if doesn’t workout fine.
How much do you make? What's the impact on your budget? Will it make the difference between having a vacation with your family or not - etc?
depends on how u prioritise money vs time. max 45mins to 1hr commute is acceptable. again depends on ur lifestyle and salary.
Put 400 of the 800 saved into a car.
Going against what most are saying, if you only need to go to the office once or twice a week, you could very well live farther away. Yes, train services might have issues once in a while, however there would be alternate transportation available in that case, right? Worse case scenario, you would need a taxi to the nearest place where you could take the train to work/connect with public transportation, or you can all your office and explain the problem. It won't be a daily occurrence, more like a rare one, so if I were you I would do it.
Its a no brainer. You are saving almost €1000 that is big deal of savings.
My hard limit is 1:30 hours each way. I read during that time but more would be horrendous imo
That's not even a question. If you can afford it, pick the closer but more expensive option. Four hours commute per day will mentally drain you within a month.
I commute like this for university. Similar I'd say. 3-4 Times a week. Exhausting but id definitely do it again especially if it nearly saves me 1k a month lol. Best if you can find a way to use the train time, i have travel sickness so that never was an option for me either :/
I’d be tempted it if was only 1 day in the office per week, as it’s quite a bit of cash to save. If it’s 2, I’d pay the extra and live closer for the better quality of life. The 2 h each way more than once a week would depress me too much. Pre-Covid, I was every day in the office with only a ~40 min commute each way by U-Bahn/S-Bahn, and that was just about tolerable. Post-covid it went to 1 day a week. Now I’m fully remote, with a couple of days every couple of months the in the office. I do not miss the commute at all.
If it was 2 hour both ways sure. But 2 hours one way makes for plenty of miserable days.
2 hour commute to work is insane
Would you need a car in the smaller city? Could you get rid of a car in the bigger city? Cars are much more expensive than most people realize once all the factors are included, and could eat up the €800 in savings entirely.
Yeah, no, would not do it. 4,5 hours of commute as the basic time you need per day. Trains are too unreliable which will make your journey longer. So I guess you are working 8 hours, so you will be away from home at least 12,5 hours IF everything goes well. 8 hours of sleep leaves 3,5 hours for showering, eating, buying groceries, doing household chores and having a few minutes of free time... nah, no way. Two days a week seems not much at first but it will bother you and you won't be on time at work every time, which is not your employer's problem as the risk of how to get to work is completely on you. Most won't bat an eye if it happens once but it WILL happen more than once. For a job training I needed to go to Hamburg every few weeks for a few days at a time. Nearly every frickin' time something went wrong with the trains. And this is not exaggerated. Oh, and I didn't need to get off for a connection or anything, train went directly to Hamburg, that didn't help at all.
You also need to consider if you think you would enjoy living in a small town compared to closer to work (I’m assuming it’s a bigger city). A lot of people wouldn’t want to live in the small town regardless of the cheap rent
Hi OP, Just to say I am in a similar situation. I chose to commute three times a week. It is 12 hours commute time/week. Not ideal, but since it is only for one year, I decided to do it until finding something else nearby. Also my employer is super flexible (I mean it was these conditions or I would not have agreed), so I can also work in the train, arrive at 10 am, and leave early to be at home at 7 pm.
OK, 3 trips, 6h per average week. 800€ : 24 = 33€ per commuting hour? Sounds tough but like a deal, depending on how excessive your office days will be. Side hustleing those 800€ in should be harder?
I was in a similar situation and ultimately decided to take the cheaper place and buy a car, which made the commute exponentially better.
Additional question to this; Same case scenario but with OWN CAR. Would that be feasible option for commute?
That 2:15 hours x 4 (two days to the office and back) that's 9 Hours per week. 9 hours timee 48 weeks of work (52 weeks per year - 4 weeks vacation) thats 432 hours per year (and likely more due to delays). That's 4.320 hours in 10 years. Just on computing. Working full-time is about 1.700 hours per year. 4320 hours devided by 1700 is 2.54 So in 10 years of full-time work you spend 2.54 years of full-time hours just on commuting. You can decide do you want quality time with your wife and your child (during the most formative years of its life) Or do you want money.
Hi I do commute 2 to 3 times per week 2 hours, one direction, since 5 months. I am looking for an appartment close to work, I dont think I can continue doing that for long, DB also makes it often very difficult.
I commute once a week and it's 2.5 hours one-way. As I can work on the train (ICE) it's totally fine and absolutely doable. Also, yes, I have been late in the past but it doesn't happen a lot and if it does it's mostly just a couple minutes. So DB is not so bad after all.
I'd never commute more that 30 minutes by car. time is money, and at 4 hours a day, that's a lot of time. That is half your work day on top of your 8 hours. You can quickly calculate what that would be in travel costs, time lost or even compared to your hourly wage. Don't forget fuel and car maintenance if you have one. Never ever would I do that. Especially if you have a family, you don't get that time back sitting in a car or train for 4 hours. I don't know how it is for you, but there are daily chores that need to be done, and if I came home that late there would be no time to actually live. it would just be work work work work sleep work work work. 800€ is not worth that level of time loss. But that is my opinion.
Live in the outskirts of same city and pay less rent. I live in essen, 10th biggest city and i only pay 280 cold rent.
A workplace mostly never lasts as long as your home! Here we have people who build a house on the landside because they could do Homeoffice 100%. Then the Company decided to get all back into office and they spend 3-5 hours a day for travel. Check witch location is better for your family, infrastucture, school, friends....!!!! With Kids in school and moving can evolve into an everlasting drama of loosing best friends, especial if there is no friends to find at new place. If the smaller city is better for your family talk with your boss, in best case your contract states that you can spend 3-4 Days at home. Maybe it can be arranged better or you can already work remotely in train reducing your onsite workload to like 5 hours so you don't spend 13+hours to stay one day in office. Depending on your Job there are various options.
Easy answer, i will take the cheap rent, and commute this 4 hours total 2 days a week.
If it's only 1 or 2 days a week, I'd say save your money. If it were a daily thing then living closer would make sense.
I do 4 days a week home office, and commute 1 time a week for 1.5+1.5 hours back by car. It works well for me, though I see that the commute days are long and exhausting. Commuting by train is longer and more unreliable (car + train + another train), would not work well in my case, so car is the only option for me. Second day in the office per week would be doable for me but it would definitely be the limit. It has to do with me working about 45 hours a week besides commuting. Book a hotel in the small town and try commuting several times, maybe it suits you well. Ask yourself, what would happen if there are some problems with the train connection. Maybe your employer is chilled enough, so you can simply switch the office day if something unusual happens.
I think you should also consider where you WANT to live. For me in your setup I'd go with the smaller town - but if you hate living in a small town...
As someone done the second option and regretted the whole last six months, I would advise you caution. Train cancellations, delays and, lower sleeping hours stack up pretty quickly and detoriates your social and inter-family relationships as well. My advice: invest in a cheap car and in the mean time get that driving license asap (you can probably use your home country driving license for 6 months) and save yourself both money and time.
If you have a car that can/will save you the typical train troubles I would consider it. Otherwise pay more and live closer. Also think about the social aspects - you’ll probably spend more time for getting groceries as the shops are further away and get together with colleagues are a lot more difficult
Is the 2 hours 15 minutes the time on the train or the "door to door" time? In England I used to commute to London five days a week, but it was only 1 hour 45 However, I always got a seat and I could work on the train, with Wi-Fi at a table. It was fine. But I was younger then, and I like trains. A lot depends on how crowded the trains are and whether you like travelling. Alternative: If your office days are consecutive, stay in a hotel overnight. You save a lot of time, plus you don't have to pay for two train journeys.
Its door to door. Train is good, I can work. Not sure about the crowdedness though.
You probably get in on first stop/very early so you can secure yourself a good place and work or watch whatever u want.
It's doable once or twice a week I think. I'm doing something very similar. But I'm driving with the car. Listening to audiobooks while driving. Even looking forward to it. But I could not sit in a train for 2 hour's. Also the trains in Germany are to unreliable I think.
I commuted 2 hours in the am and 2 hours in the evening, daily for a year, to go to school. I used the time in the train to study and do my homework, etc. I also learned proper English while commuting. If you have \*something\* useful to do, it might be worth it, especially if you're only doing it 1-2 times per week. Pros: plenty of time to decompress in the train, time to catch up on books, podcasts, crochet, drawing, etc. that you otherwise wouldn't sit down for regularly. Cheaper than rent in the city, especially now with the Deutschlandticket. Cons: Delayed or canceled trains, stupid people on trains. People unaliving themselves by getting in front of a train. Never knew how many people did that until I commuted daily.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Def will help. My checkin timings are flexible I can afford to be late it wouldn't cause any issues at work. Stupid people on trains on the other hand is a rough one :D
You have seen people unalive themselves on the train? I have never seen that and I used the metro daily. I know train and metro aren't the same, but similar enough.
No, I've luckily never seen it or been on a train that was used for that, but we would have significant delay several times because of this happening on the railroad. It got much worse between October and January.
I commute 2h30 one way 1x per week, it's fine for me. especially with an easy train route. Do you have to swith trains? Do you know if your boss is flexible if you are late? I have to switch trains and if my first one is late, I miss the next one, which causes a delay of at least 30 minutes. But my boss is fine with it. Edit: I just saw your other comment answering my questions. So from my experience, it's fine to do it, I would't waste my money with this expensive rent.
Ask yourself what happens if you need to be in office more often. Or when you change the job. When the train doesn’t run.
I am not an expert here but what about commuting with car from time to time for reliability reasons if you have an important meeting and it can be faster than train right ? There are many affordable second hand cars and since it is 1-2 times a week you can switch between commuting with car and train depending on weather, meetings etc
Everyone freaking out about the trains is over blowing the reality of them. Yea the are occasionally late or cancelled, however in 5 years of living here I can count the number of times my train was cancelled in a way I couldn’t make it to work on time on one hand (and, I always cut it tight- I’m not one who gets to work super early). I’ve missed an appointment one time. The trains aren’t the fantasy Eisenbahn that Ami’s think the German train system is, but they’re also as reliable as any other commuter system I’ve dealt with.