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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: KarefulKactus15 on August 10, 2015, 08:27:14 AM

Title: Help me get efficient
Post by: KarefulKactus15 on August 10, 2015, 08:27:14 AM
Okay guys, Im conflicted about my current living / driving to work situation. Idk if I should keep my current house or look to go elsewhere in the area. Ill post all the information I can for my current situation and you guys tell me if you see better alternatives. I feel like me and my wife are driving too far to work, 25 miles one way up the interstate for me.

1.) We currently live at xxx Elrod Place rd, piedmont sc 29673. Paid 68k for this house in foreclosure 2 years ago, currently owe 34k, I think I could get 90-100k if sold. ( I did not list the exact street number for privacy but the neighborhood is tiny so it shouldnt affect calculations)

2.) I work night shift 4 days a week (10 hours) at "1400 Highway 101 south, greer sc 29651"
3.) My Wife works day shift 5 days a week (8 hours) at "1401 Antioch Church Road, Greenville, sc 29605"

We both work as technicians at factories with advanced automation so I don't think a Job change will work due to the lack of other opportunities, but I'm not sure about that, always open to suggestions.



As you can see my current drive is 28 minutes, 25 miles. So my dilemma is this, do I stay and tough it out driving 25 miles one way or do I move? If so what options do I take, houses in the middle of the two places of employment are 140k-275k.  Should I consider apartment living? Any advice / suggestions would be appreciated. I want to see how fellow Mustachians view my situation. Also if it helps   I make roughly 70k a year and my wife makes 50k. We are currently a 2 car household, I would like to get away from that but here in the south, things don't appear to be setup for being 1 car or no car friendly.   I will check this throughout the day and gladly add any more information if anyone request it.

Also currently were on track to have our house paid off next year, while also maxing out both Roth IRAs( 5,500 each) and 401K plans (18,000 each). My current monthly expenses average 2200 at this time.  Reading everything on paper it appears to me that I should stay put, but I want to run this by other people with similar frugal minds and get their opinions.

Thanks for reading.
Title: Re: Help me get efficient
Post by: lbmustache on August 10, 2015, 11:14:05 AM
I don't think it makes sense to sell and buy a new place. Your wife's commute is 11 miles. How old are you two?

HOWEVER, you might want to look into renting your current place and moving to an apartment closer to work if you feel that your employment is not going to change in the near future. That means you get to keep your place, someone is paying your mortgage (and maybe even a bit extra), you get a place closer to work but if something happens you can always move back to your place.

But really, I think moving is going to be a waste of $. Buy a more fuel-efficient car if that's your concern. I am from the Los Angeles area so a 28 min commute sounds great to me. That's like 8-10 miles here. But it's face-punch worthy in the MMM world. :)
Title: Re: Help me get efficient
Post by: KarefulKactus15 on August 10, 2015, 02:57:32 PM
That's the kinda insight I was looking for. I have to agree, I think anyway I go I'm going to lose money by moving.  Makes me feel less bad about it knowing other people are driving long commutes by mustache standards.

Thanks for the helpful response.
Title: Re: Help me get efficient
Post by: mozar on August 10, 2015, 03:50:39 PM
My commute is an hour each way by train, and I'm interviewing for a job where it takes 45 minutes for 17 miles.
Title: Re: Help me get efficient
Post by: Roots&Wings on August 10, 2015, 04:40:08 PM
Unless you can find a bargain house or rental closer to work that's better than your current housing situation or you're unhappy in your current location, driving 50 miles round trip 4 days/week and living in a house that cost about 1/2 your combined annual incomes sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!

I'd also look into a more fuel-efficient car first if commuting is a big chunk of your budget, but even assuming you work 50 weeks/yr that only works out to commuting about 10,000 miles per year (50 miles/day * 4 days/wk * 50 weeks/yr), which isn't a ton.