4 ms·

Living in the bay area was good as long as you were single with no stuff, no attachments, no desire to run home to your spouse/kids. It's very easy to live with

by NTDF9 8y ago

Living in the bay area was good as long as you were single with no stuff, no attachments, no desire to run home to your spouse/kids. It's very easy to live with roommates who you don't care about. As soon as those come in, the 1.5 hour commute + parking + prices starts biting. There are entire areas of bay area that are so weirdly connected (because of geography and no public transit) that makes some jobs brutal. Eg: Living in east bay but working in mountain view-san jose-cupertino. Or living in San Jose and working in mid-center SF

derekp7 8y ago
Are there any park-n-rides in the areas that are a long commute from city centers? Basically, where you can have cheap housing (because it is far away), then drive to a large parking structure to pick up a bus, light rail, or commuter train (or all three)? Also, is it common enough that if you are using public transportation, where you can VPN in via cellular, and start your day early (and have that "count" as part of you work day), so that 2 hour total commute means only 6 hours at the office? Or do most employers frown on that? This is a really nice option where I'm at (Chicago area), where you can drive to one of the closer suburbs to the city, park, and hop on the L to get to the city center.
- NTDF9 8y ago
  > Are there any park-n-rides in the areas that are a long commute from city centers? There are two train lines, Caltrain and Bart. Both have park and ride in stations outside city limits. For people working in the city, they would park in the nearest suburban train station and take the train. The problem is on the other side in the city. A lot of offices are not close to any train station. Especially if you're coming from the south bay (using caltrain). Caltrain in the city is in a weird corner. You'll need to take a bus/uber after the train which is slower than walking sometimes. > Also, is it common enough that if you are using public transportation, where you can VPN in via cellular, and start your day early (and have that "count" as part of you work day) Yes. But the connectivity sucks enough to not be able to vpn often. > Or do most employers frown on that? That's between you and the employer. Typically, you'll see many people stay back longer (free dinners and all that) and that does put some peer pressure.

by NTDF9 8y ago

derekp7 8y ago

Are there any park-n-rides in the areas that are a long commute from city centers? Basically, where you can have cheap housing (because it is far away), then drive to a large parking structure to pick up a bus, light rail, or commuter train (or all three)? Also, is it common enough that if you are using public transportation, where you can VPN in via cellular, and start your day early (and have that "count" as part of you work day), so that 2 hour total commute means only 6 hours at the office? Or do most employers frown on that? This is a really nice option where I'm at (Chicago area), where you can drive to one of the closer suburbs to the city, park, and hop on the L to get to the city center.

NTDF9 8y ago
> Are there any park-n-rides in the areas that are a long commute from city centers? There are two train lines, Caltrain and Bart. Both have park and ride in stations outside city limits. For people working in the city, they would park in the nearest suburban train station and take the train. The problem is on the other side in the city. A lot of offices are not close to any train station. Especially if you're coming from the south bay (using caltrain). Caltrain in the city is in a weird corner. You'll need to take a bus/uber after the train which is slower than walking sometimes. > Also, is it common enough that if you are using public transportation, where you can VPN in via cellular, and start your day early (and have that "count" as part of you work day) Yes. But the connectivity sucks enough to not be able to vpn often. > Or do most employers frown on that? That's between you and the employer. Typically, you'll see many people stay back longer (free dinners and all that) and that does put some peer pressure.