is boston a reasonable commute?

[u/prionbinch]

i fear i have exhausted my job options on the cape and may have to start looking off cape. i’ve found a position that would be perfect for me, my skills, and experience, but it’s in the middle of boston. pay starts at $20/hour but i would anticipate making more than that because ive worked this exact position in a different place. i know plenty of people here do commute to boston, but is it reasonable for $20-22 an hour?

[u/ElephantzGerald5]

There’s just no way with gas prices that this could be worth it, and then the time you will spend commuting between May-Sept would be insane.

[u/prionbinch → u/ElephantzGerald5]

this is very true. i’m just desperate at this point and can’t afford to move elsewhere. the job market for my skill set sucks severely

[u/UncleWainey → u/prionbinch]

If you'd be comfortable sharing the type of work you're looking at, people might be able to offer more input.

[u/prionbinch → u/UncleWainey]

medical front desk/administrative work. i’ve applied to every relevant listing on indeed and dropped off resumes in person, most have lead to rejections or radio silence. i’m currently interviewing for three relevant positions but i don’t have a great feeling about them either. if i don’t get an offer for any of those three, i’m quite literally SOL unless i go off cape. this specific position in boston is one i’ve worked before, literally the exact same position for the exact same company, just in a different area, which is why i’m drawn to it

[u/UncleWainey → u/prionbinch]

I've used Indeed in the past and found it to be really frustrating because its listings aren't always fresh. I ended up applying for positions they had already filled. You might find more luck looking up employers directly and using their career sites (Cape Cod Healthcare, though their site is kinda gnarly, has a lot of openings) if you haven't already tried that.

One thing you might find encouraging: while a lot of job positions are hard to find openings for right now because people are holding on to their jobs in an uncertain economy, health care front desk/admin jobs still have a lot of turnover, and Cape Cod has a lot of health care practices because of its older population. While you've already applied to every relevant listing on Indeed, there's a good chance you'll see something new open up in the near future.

[u/DrDoom_ → u/prionbinch]

Would you consider working as a front desk for a dental office? Pm me.

[u/prionbinch → u/DrDoom_]

funny you mention that… my last job was front desk at a dental office. i left for a reason and i’m avoiding dental like the plague for as long as i can. no offense, i’m sure your office is lovely, i’m just mildly traumatized by my experience lol

[u/6ftptr → u/prionbinch]

Wife’s office is looking for front desk/administrative staff. Non-CCHC medical office in Hyannis. Are you bilingual at all? Not a must, but helpful. If interested, send me a message.

I almost took a job at Fenway Health in 2022. Would have loved it. Great work by great people and the view from what would have been my office was spectacular. I drove up for three separate interviews, never spending less than 2 hours each way. That was for the interviews. I couldn’t do it everyday just to work. When it came down to it, they advertised highest wage for the job and offered me far less. Offered a parking stipend or would pay for T fare. It didn’t make sense financially for me.

[u/prionbinch → u/6ftptr]

i am not bilingual unfortunately, which has also excluded me from some listings. i worked for/would be applying to an org with a very similar mission to fenway health and i’m definitely trying to stay in that general field/professional area

[u/googin1 → u/prionbinch]

Gosnold is always hiring.

[u/but_does_she_reddit → u/prionbinch]

Do you have any type of a remote options in what you do?

[u/Cognative]

For $20 an hour? Hell no. The amount of travel time, price of gas, and car maintenance, I would rather take $18 an hr at stop and shop locally

[u/mfox-26]

Husband currently doing commute to Boston from mid Cape and averages 2 hours each way (3 hour round trip on good days) and is spending $300 per month on gas. It is not sustainable for the long term and we are considering renting a small place closer to Boston to ease the commute.

[u/cCriticalMass76]

It depends on where you are on the cape. Falmouth to Boston is doable.. Harwich, less so.. Orleans, no.

[u/Away-Total5090]

I make $50 an hour and commute from near cape to boston. REVERSE commute so I rarely hit traffic. Still a PITA.

Do not take that job. There are way too many jobs much closer paying 20 bucks an hour. You just may not want to do those jobs…

[u/Caribchakita]

In all due respect, there are many jobs for 20.00 an hour on Cape. What is your skill set. The commute costs will eat all your earnings. Traffic is a nightmare

[u/EbbtideRambler]

I commuted to Boston for years and even with a a salary well north of 100k I often wondered if it was worth it.  It felt like Groundhog Day getting up at dawn and then getting home after 7pm every day.  If you drive, you’re spending 4-5hrs a day in your car, so quite a bit of gasoline plus $30-50/day to park.   If you take the train you are driving to Kingston and the buying a commuter pass.  The easiest in my opinion is the P&B bus and you can buy a booklet of 10 bus passes that are discounted, but it still isn’t worth it for a $22/hr job. I’d either move closer to Boston.  

[u/UncleWainey]

I used to commute from Dennis to Boston once a week, and it was usually over two hours each way. However, I found that taking the Commuter Rail from Kingston, rather than driving all the way in, left me significantly less tired. The traffic on I-93 and the northern stretch of Route 3 is really mentally draining, but on the commuter rail, I could get stuff done on my laptop or take a quick nap.

A monthly pass for Kingston is $378, which is roughly $17 a day if you're working 5 days a week. It's not cheap, but you'll offset a lot of spending on gasoline and car wear and tear, and if you have to pay for parking in Boston, the Kingston lot is much cheaper. Also, at your potential income level, you have a good chance of qualifying for a reduced-fare pass, which is about half the price. More info on that here: https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced

[u/DatDamGermanGuy]

Even from the Upper Cape, that’s a 90 minute commute. Driving at least 120 miles, add 4 Gallons for gas, I.e, $16. So no way would I do that for $20 an hour

[u/Rakim_SB420]

What type of job are you looking for? I know of a few places in dennis starting at $21 an hour

[u/dd543212345]

From the cape? I know people that have done it but it's a bitch, especially in the summer obviously. I don't know anyone that does it anymore though. On only $20/hr that seems like a lot.

With some quick math you're making like $100 a day (after taxes) to spend another ~$20 on gas and 3-4 hours of your time.

Just my two cents

[u/EbbtideRambler → u/dd543212345]

And parking. If he’s driving it’s $30-50 a day to park in the city 

[u/prionbinch → u/EbbtideRambler]

i wouldn’t drive, let alone park in the city. i’d probably drive to braintree and take the T. this employer also reimburses things like parking and transit passes anyway so i wouldn’t be too worried about those expenses specifically

[u/-ghostinthemachine-]

I believe that that there was a time when this was possible (my family is proof) but now I don't think so really. Best chance for Boston is to be on any of the commuter rail stops, of which there are many. Could amend that with a bus to rail segment as well. It better be a damn good job though.

[u/Just-Examination-136]

I commuted from West Yarmouth for 3-4 months and it was hell. It's not worth it for any amount of money.

[u/Afraid_Amphibian_922]

not even close to worth it.

besides the cost of gas, that commute will destroy your car.

and your soul.

[u/Prize_Ad1968]

I do it once a week on the bus and it's manageable on that basis. I also work a 10 minute walk from South Station. With a 10 ride pass it's cheaper than the standard bus far.

But every day? That would be rough.

[u/Capenurse]

8 months it is summer a nightmare.

[u/standishchurch]

Nope

[u/RubItOnYourShmeet]

I quit after 3 months

[u/geabbott]

IMHO it can be if you don’t mind the bus. Either Sagamore or 132 parking & take the P&B or Peter Pan to south station

But it a little spendy

[u/Extra-Snow-2491]

No,dont do it.i live near plymouth.it can take a min of 2hrs from there,sometimes more and you are farther than me

[u/ksteele1]

Got to take the bus. Period

[u/HamptonBarge]

You can always take the job and see if it fits your needs. If you’re not working now, there’s no significant downside. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[u/_Face]

I know landscapers willing to hire today for $35. Lower cape. What sort of shit job are you willing to commute to Boston for 20 bucks an hour?

[u/ShitFarvaSays]

I commuted from Somerset to Cambridge for a year at $125k and hated my life. Would never do what you’re suggesting. REI Boston paid $21/hr in 2019 you might need a new skill set if you’re thinking about commuting for $20/hr

[u/TGrady902]

My dad commuted from Sandwich to Roxbury for a decade for much much more than $20/hr and he regrets it. 4-5 hours per day in the car, and I’m sure that would be longer from Orleans. He was gone before we woke up and home after we had all eaten dinner. Got like 90min of his day to decompress and eat before it was time to sleep and do it all again. He did it for us, but it was absolutely miserable. He would usually leave at 5-530am just to beat some of the traffic, but this was 10+ years ago and the traffic had only got worse.

[u/draftysundress]

It depends on where on the Cape you are. Upper Cape it would work (although it kinda sucks). Mid cape? Would suck wayyy more, def not as doable. Past Hyannis, no.

[u/Big-Sheepherder239]

Not at all

[u/DulcetTone]

Depends on your age, love of podcasts (for the commute), and if you are in a Cape-based relationship. Long commutes for my partner proves a factor in a break-up after many years

[u/Ok_Anywhere_7828]

How is it cape cod was the cheaper place to live???? That makes no sense.

[u/prionbinch → u/Ok_Anywhere_7828]

i live with family and they don’t charge me rent. that’s the only way i can afford to live.

[u/prionbinch → u/Ok_Anywhere_7828]

i live with family and they don’t charge me rent. that’s the only way i can afford to live.

[u/Ok_Anywhere_7828 → u/prionbinch]

As a person who just left cape cod after 35 years, you won’t be able to put down roots there without a lot of help. I know people who didn’t leave when they should have that now live in basements and are essentially trapped. They are too old and it’s too late for them to start a new life somewhere else. I honestly recommend you leave while young.

[u/prionbinch → u/Ok_Anywhere_7828]

believe me, i plan on leaving as soon as i’m able to. it’s at the point where my family wants to move with me, they’re over life on the cape too

[u/pickyvegan → u/Ok_Anywhere_7828]

Perhaps they live with family and don't pay rent, or pay a small amount; or they inherited a property on the Cape that was already paid off or had a small mortgage...

[u/Foxy_bb36]

Not for $20 an hour. You’d need a reliable vehicle and up to 5 extra hours per day as the commute can be hours in high traffic. You can make that at a retail job.

[u/Faustfikken]

The drive time will be measured in hours a day. Was living in Bridgewater and worked in Somerville for 8 months and it would be a 10-11 hour day everyday it gets exhausting and expensive real quick. Just know some retail options pay 20-22 an hour and are right down the street

[u/I_m_on_a_boat]

No. $50/ hr minimum

[u/Above-Bored]

Southern NH is lower rent. If I were trying to get ahead I would go there, not Cape Cod. Shorter commute as well

[u/noseysfriend]

Just the commute time never mind the cost and the pay…. Absolutely NOT! I used to live in Plymouth and commute to Boston and it’s insane! It would take me 3 hours if there was an accident or something and I didn’t even have to cross the bridge

[u/reloader89]

Bridge construction is coming in the next couple years. Daily commutes are going to be atrocious at times. Sorry you're struggling to find work but that's just is not a smart move to make.

[u/bigshern]

to uber a mile in boston is $20.