Boring job, short commute or interesting one with longer commute?

[rhv70]

I'm considering two job opportunities.

What do people think?  They actually pay about the same, but of course I'd spend less on commuting at the closer one.  The one that's further away has far more potential to earn more, i.e. bump up one level and get raise and bonus potential.

The closer one is 13 miles, the farther one is 23.5 miles.  45 mins/day for the first, probably 75 for the second.  Both those times are round trip times average.

I'm hopeful to achieve FIRE in 7-9 years, but I don't want to be completely bored at a job in the mean time.  I'm currently in a job in a financially risky start-up (i.e. they are running out of money) with a somewhat long commute, so either should be an improvement.

[jordanread]

I'm a huge believer in doing something great as opposed to doing something boring. And I love the biking commute, so money as it relates to commuting isn't a loss to me (using the real hourly wage from YMOYL) I don't count biking time. If I were in your shoes, I'd take the interesting job and bike in.

[PaulMaxime]

Is there a reason you can't move closer to the job you like?

[Jeremy E.]

Move closer to the farther away one, close enough to bike or walk.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Take the further away job and plan to move or get better at cycling.

[rhv70]

Theoretically, there's no reason I couldn't move closer to the further job.  Practically speaking, I am pretty sure it wouldn't happen.  We currently have my in-laws close by for easy babysitting.  My wife's work is just 6 miles away, too, even though she's working very part-time.  Lastly, I'm in software engineering and the longest I've stayed at a job is 8 years, with the average being more like 3-4 years.  I might hop a lot to some, but looking at my peers I'm not too far from the norm. 

[Jeremy E.]

Theoretically, there's no reason I couldn't move closer to the further job.  Practically speaking, I am pretty sure it wouldn't happen.  We currently have my in-laws close by for easy babysitting.  My wife's work is just 6 miles away, too, even though she's working very part-time.  Lastly, I'm in software engineering and the longest I've stayed at a job is 8 years, with the average being more like 3-4 years.  I might hop a lot to some, but looking at my peers I'm not too far from the norm.

It doesn't necessarily matter about the average amount of time you stay places, that's the beauty of renting. If your wife works very part time, then you don't need a babysitter very often, and can move closer to that other job if you want it. But it's your choice, you asked what are thoughts are so you're getting them. This is the mustachian choice.

[oneday]

God, I would die a thousand deaths at a boring job. My vote is for the interesting but farther job. Although a 75 minute commute is a killer too. Any opportunity to move within 45 minutes of the interesting job, yet still within reasonable range for wife's job and babysitting? 3 years is plenty long to live in one place if you are renting, IMHO.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Also what are the hours like?

Is the extra 30 minutes more sleep or more time to go to the gym/spend with kids?

What impact would the extra costs or bonus have on your FIRE date? If it would bring it forward then you might find that you'll save time overall accepting the longer commute (ie more hours but for fewer years)

[Urchina]

Take the interesting job.

Then figure out the commute. 

Is there a carpool or bus or train option? I only hate long commutes when I'm driving. When I can take a bus, the commute becomes transition time between my work and the rest of my life.

[rhv70]

Thanks - lot of thoughtful comments here.  I'm leaning towards the boring job, actually.  I value my time to workout (usually mornings) and driving is a complete waste of time.  The boring job has showers so biking is a distinct possibility.  I actually got a pretty good vibe from the folks I'd work with, it's just that it's work that I've done before and I won't feel like I'm lighting the world on fire.  BUT, I am realizing that I don't necessarily need that feeling like I did in my earlier days (I'm 44 now).  Taking the shorter commute helps the FIRE date, unless you factor in the wildcard, which is the greater advancement potential in the farther job.

@Urchina - no public transportation option that improves the time.  Minneapolis area which was built around driving cars.  There's some light rail, but very limited right now.

@Playing: The hours are probably similar between the two, with flexibility in when you come and go.  Also, I calculated the hourly rate factoring in the extra time on the road.  I would be coming out behind on the further away job on an hourly wage basis.

The other factor here is that the shorter commute is a contract-to-hire position.  I am making an assumption here, but I am pretty confident I could get the hire and we've already discussed a target salary that I could live with.  If I really dislike the job, I can just not convert but then I'd have to start looking again.

[rhv70]

God, I would die a thousand deaths at a boring job. My vote is for the interesting but farther job. Although a 75 minute commute is a killer too. Any opportunity to move within 45 minutes of the interesting job, yet still within reasonable range for wife's job and babysitting? 3 years is plenty long to live in one place if you are renting, IMHO.

I might be exaggerating the boring-ness of the closer job.  It's in the electric utility industry where the farther job is medical. 

[oneday]

In that case, I know what I'd do (closer job). Sounds like you have worked out what you want, too. Best of luck!

[RangerOne]

All else being equal and assuming you have 2 offers, the medical company cant buy back your time but they could certainly offer more compensation to offset commuting costs. If you know you are leaning one way it cant hurt to see if the other place will sweeten the pot enough to make it worth the commute.

I don't really feel like 23 miles is terrible if you can mitigate the cost through higher pay or public transit.

[Urchina]

No public transit option would negate the appeal of the more interesting job for me. I'd hate spending an additional 10 hours a week driving to and from work.

YMMV, of course. Good luck with your decision!