katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,447
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Mar 11, 2024 2:20:38 GMT
So it’s happened again… There will not be a position for me at my school next year (because someone who took a one year leave of absence is returning)—so I am looking for a new job—again. I love my school so much, and I am devastated—and exhausted— but that’s another thread. Santa Barbara is a pretty small town. Both Santa Barbra Unified and the district to the north are making major cuts this year, and laying off a lot of teachers. So it’s unlikely they will have openings. There are a couple of other tiny…I mean TINY districts around, and I will watch them like a hawk. But I have to be realistic about my chances. There is Ventura and Oxnard to the south. But in the 2 years since I’ve been looking, I haven’t really seen a lot of openings from them, either. However, if I could get a job in either of those districts, it would take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to drive there. On a GOOD day. But there are often accidents/construction/ and other delays that could lengthen that commute considerably. There are also a few more communities inland….Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton…with equally long commutes. I have no desire to spend almost 2 hours commuting everyday. But my SIL thinks I’m being spoiled and that “lots of people do it.” But I am at a point in my life where I actually want to ENJOY it. Teaching is exhausting. I cannot imagine how much more exhausted I would be with that kind of commute. I know a lot of people do it, probably many of you do it. But I don’t have to. I could move. There are plenty of job opportunities in other parts of California or even back in Texas. I hate the idea of moving. I would be far away from my family and I genuinely LOVE living here. But I’d rather move than have a hellishly long commute. So I come to y’all again—cause I know you won’t hold back. What do you think?
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Post by mom on Mar 11, 2024 2:25:23 GMT
For me, life is too short to drive two hours a day to a job. I understand that you want to be close to your family, but will you even be seeing them when you have that long of a commute? I could do a commute like that for a little while, but not for ever.
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Harper Lee
Shy Member
Posts: 42
Jun 25, 2014 22:25:52 GMT
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Post by Harper Lee on Mar 11, 2024 2:30:36 GMT
30 min would be my absolute max. I have a 10 minute commute door to desk and I love it.
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Post by busy on Mar 11, 2024 2:32:03 GMT
I had long commutes early in my career. I promised myself 25 years ago that I wouldn’t do that again, no matter what. I’ve worked remotely for the past 8 years, but if I had an office job, no more than 15 minutes each way if I had to go every day. If I had to go twice a week, I’d consider up to 30 minutes each way. Never more. Ever. Life is too short.
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Post by Zee on Mar 11, 2024 2:33:13 GMT
Apparently for me, the answer is one hour each way. But I hate it. Been doing it for 5.5 years.
I'm seriously considering giving up a ton of money to work only 2 days a week instead of 4. I'm tired of spending 8 hours a week in my car. I do know others spend more time in their cars than I do, but it's such a mental drain. I wish I could be getting other things done with those 8 hours a week.
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 11, 2024 2:38:38 GMT
Call me spoiled by I max out at 15 minutes.
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Post by ~summer~ on Mar 11, 2024 2:38:56 GMT
Honestly I think it’s a tough position - on the one hand I think a long commute sucks - but living in Santa Barbara is amazing. I had one hour commutes when I was young and living in SF and it was worth it - no way would I have wanted to live in Milpitas or Palo Alto at the time (where I worked). That being said…I would not do a long commute again. No way.
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Post by katlady on Mar 11, 2024 2:40:52 GMT
I've been working 30+ years. For most of those years, my commute has been at least an hour each way, on a good day. The good part though was that for about 15 years, I was able to take either a train or hop on a van pool, so I didn't have to actually drive the hour. The last few years, I've had to drive. It sucks, but what gets me through it is knowing I'll be able to retire soon. So, I stick with it. Plus, I don't have to go into the office every day.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,734
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Mar 11, 2024 2:50:26 GMT
I’d be willing to drive 30 minutes. For almost my entire teaching career I lived and worked in the same town. I could walk to school. Now when I sub and drive in from our lake place, I am driving 30 minutes each way and I don’t like it. I wouldn’t even consider being in my car two hours a day.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Mar 11, 2024 2:52:36 GMT
I commute about an 1-1.5 hours a day. It is just the nature of where I live and work. Everything takes a long time to get to and from. I love my school that is why I am willing to do it. Knock on wood we get good principals and have relatively stable staff. That is worth it to me. I listen to podcasts and the radio and it is what it is. It is the only time of the day I am by myself. I kind of cherish it.
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Post by librarylady on Mar 11, 2024 2:54:20 GMT
I did 30 minutes each way for many years. I think that was about all I wanted to do. I might do 45 minutes but beyond that, I would have to find a different job.
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 11, 2024 3:07:21 GMT
I would hold on for a closer position. A long commute will make everything harder. No other teachers are leaving your school? Here they struggle filling positions. I know it isn't like that everywhere, but hopefully something will come up.
I would say 35-40 max would be my limit. I used to drive 18 minutes and then 5 and now 17. All very reasonable.
ETA: I would end up working 9-10 hour days as a teacher, so no way could I have added that long of a commute.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Mar 11, 2024 3:13:07 GMT
I am spoiled with a short commute for the last 36 years, so I’m going to say move if you can.
How spoiled? There is construction in front of my work location that gets horribly backed up during the primary rush hours. I can work flexible hours, so instead of sitting in traffic for an extra 20 minutes (which doubles my commute), I go to work 45 minutes later in the morning and leave for home 45 minutes later in the evening just to avoid the extra 40 minutes of traffic per day.
An hour each way? I’d probably just go ahead and retire.
We have had a lot of layoffs this year (and sadly more to come), and I know several faculty who are considering 1.5 hour commutes for new jobs because they have spouses with good jobs here and kids they don’t want to move. As faculty, many can swing a 2- or 3-day work week with MWF or TTh class schedules, so it isn’t horrible. I can’t imagine driving that far 5 days a week, though.
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Post by chaosisapony on Mar 11, 2024 3:20:12 GMT
I've spent most of my life in communities where people regularly commute 45 mins to an hour for work. It's because those cities have jobs but unaffordable housing. So we live here, but work there. For myself, I'm currently at a 35 minute commute. I'd be willing to go up to an hour depending on the traffic. My 35 minutes right now is all through country roads with minimal traffic, I might feel differently if I was on an interstate with 10,000 of my closest friends for 45 minutes on the way to work.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,619
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Mar 11, 2024 3:35:40 GMT
well, I'm getting desperate enough with the job search that I'm applying to places over an hour one way. I'm asking about remote but would seriously consider an hour one way if they say it's show up or nothing.
DH has actually done it as well back when we were SUPER desperate and that was the only thing he could find. It ate up so much cost in gas and time but again, desperate.
I'm sorry. have you looked at online teaching or tutoring?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 11, 2024 3:38:25 GMT
I’ve had commutes as long as an hour and I hated it. HATED it. Thankfully it was only for a few weeks while I was “in training” at a different location. I think the most I’d be willing to travel would be absolutely no more than 30 minutes.
If you love where you live, I wouldn’t want to move. Are there any other jobs that you could apply for in the interim closer to where you live until another teaching job opens up?
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Post by freecharlie on Mar 11, 2024 3:53:51 GMT
For a dream job for a short time, I could do it with the intention to move closer.
Ny commute is 5 minutes with very little traffic (there will be tractors ar times). It is glorious. I've looked in another district that pats better (like up to $20,000 at the far end of the schedule, bur the commute would be 40 minutes and I just don't want to do that right now. (Ftr, I ha e to drive 20+ miles to get to a town)
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,667
Location: So Cal
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Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Mar 11, 2024 4:37:10 GMT
I know our OC school district is dealing with the loss of extra COVID money and shrinking enrollment. I think teaching jobs are going to become harder and harder to come by. I hope you are able to find some place long term.
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seaexplore
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Mar 11, 2024 5:16:45 GMT
I did 35 min each way for 23 years to my previous school. The last 2 years has been 23 min each way. BUT 3 days a week, I get home and pee and grab a snack and get right back in the car with kid #1 to drive her 45 min one way for competitive gymnastics.
Currently wondering what we will do if DH doesn’t survive his cancer because I have no one here to help with the kids. I could move to my parents new place that they’re building but that would give me an hour commute each way and I’m not about to leave my district of 25 years with 10 to go until I can retire with the current situation of education in CA. Almost all school districts are cutting positions.
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Post by miominmio on Mar 11, 2024 5:56:30 GMT
Two hours per day is nothing. I spent 4 hours each day, and that was too much for me (especially since my kids were young). But only you know what is best for you. Either way, there will be days when you are happy with your decision and days when you are not.
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Post by Merge on Mar 11, 2024 7:53:59 GMT
I’m like you now. When I was younger, I did the hour commutes (for five years of that with my kids in the back seat). I’m too old for that BS now. 30 min max and even then I’d prefer less.
I have several teacher friends who have left the public schools and are either tutoring or leading a micro school. Might it be time to leave the nest and go to work for yourself? Is that possible where you live? Just something to consider. You have a wealth of experience both with the littles and now the mid-grades. I bet you’re already ESL certified and could add a dyslexia cert in time. A former K teacher friend has a nice business doing reading recovery and dyslexia services for young kids in private schools that don’t offer these things. I suspect you’d do very well.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,012
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Mar 11, 2024 8:21:58 GMT
I was going to say something similar to Merge. Private tutor, offering one on one support to students who are struggling. You don't even need to limit yourself to the children in your local area. You could offer online teaching and expand your net. Teaching English as a second language etc Perhaps there are agencies already set up and are looking for more teachers. If other options are possible it will allow you to buy time until a school position opens up. Don't limit yourself, you were very concerned about teaching a different age group and look how that turned out, you aced it. You clearly have skills, ability and dedication. You love to teach but that doesn't mean your students have to be in a conventional school.
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Post by christine58 on Mar 11, 2024 9:43:26 GMT
A friend of mine also got tired of her drive when she was teaching third grade special education, she now runs homeschool groups. Kids who are struggling in reading, or math etc will come to her and get instruction. She loves it.
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compeateropeator
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 23:10:56 GMT
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Post by compeateropeator on Mar 11, 2024 9:57:52 GMT
Optimally 20 to 30 minutes in normal conditions. I would do an hour without blinking if needed. But truthfully I would do whatever was needed to have a job and then just keep looking for something else.
For me, I own my condo and live where I live, the option to move is not realistic. I am a single person and I need to support myself, save for retirement and most importantly the health insurance . I do not really have the option to be picky about jobs in the short term. If I was really unhappy I would always be on the lookout for a job that checks more boxes. I am so sorry and good luck.
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Post by littlemama on Mar 11, 2024 10:13:38 GMT
I drove 65 miles round trip- 35 minutes one way on the best day. It sucked the life out of me. Work days are long anyway, adding that kind of commute was hard for me. But, I know people who do it and love it
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Post by lg on Mar 11, 2024 11:39:37 GMT
Aussie pea here - dh has a 90 min commute one way and I spend 3 hours in the car to drop and pick up little peas from school each day. It’s exhausting. And boring. And aggravating. And tiring. And such a waste of energy. But for us, well paying tech jobs are only in major cities where housing is super unaffordable…. We live 60 mins from the city if you drive and a medium house on a small block is over $1 million so you have to travel 😔 and for our kids the school they go to is worth the commute. I would always want a job 30 mins max from home, but as we are so spread out here it’s just not possible sometimes. I really feel for you, some of my worst memories are sitting in traffic jams thanks to roadworks in 100+ degrees in an old car without aircon before I upgraded. Surprised your school is laying off teachers, here we are desperate for them…. Say, wanna move to the land downunder???
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 11, 2024 11:52:02 GMT
I'm not even a regular teacher (just a sub) and at the end of the day I'm usually exhausted. So I can't imagine doing a commute like that (I walk three blocks, lol).
If you'll have to move in the end could you move somewhere else in California? That way you'd still be near-ish to family.
I'm sorry this is happening to you after everything seemed to be going well. I wish my district (Northern Virginia) was closer to your family because we have a teacher shortage and could use someone with your experience!
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,370
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Mar 11, 2024 11:52:32 GMT
I have an hour commute each way. I do not recommend it. Thankfully for the last six/seven years I have been able to work from home 2-3 days a week which has made my quality of life much easier. I did that commute while working full time and raising our daughter and honestly it was hell.
I hope you are able to find something closer. Teachers have a hard enough job without a long commute.
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Post by jenb72 on Mar 11, 2024 12:12:02 GMT
My DH works for the state. We live NE of Atlanta and his office is near the airport, which is in the southern end of Atlanta. Before Covid he was having to commute three days a week through Atlanta traffic. It was 45 minutes in the morning because he would go in before rush hour, but almost 2 hours some days coming home because of traffic and all the things that could happen with that. He didn't even realize how much stress it was putting on him until everything shut down and they all went remote and he didn't have to do it anymore. He's told me many times that if they were to call him back in the office he'd seriously consider changing jobs to avoid that drive.
So if it were me, I would have to consider moving to an area where a commute like that wouldn't be necessary and there are more job opportunities in case something like this were to happen again.
Jen
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 11, 2024 12:40:27 GMT
I commuted about 90 minutes round trip for 37 years. It was much longer if it snowed. I live in Minnesota, so...
You could accept a job with a long commute for next year and keep in touch with the schools you like, waiting for an opportunity closer to home.
Audio books saved my sanity. The time went much more quickly.
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