Continuing on from Wayback Machine – Part 1, Backgrounder: Ready for a change (Part 1), the following outlines additional details as to how and why we ended up moving to Windsor, Ontario almost a year ago.
Backgrounder: Ready for a change (Part 2)
Originally posted November 14, 2010
In addition to living in the same city for nearly 30 years, I’ve had continuity and familiarity in another very significant area of my life – my job.
I’ve been working for the same employer since 1996 – more than 14 years! My job has evolved somewhat as I’ve taken on increasing responsibilities throughout the years, but I’ve now reached the point where there’s really no more room to move.
On paper, I’m very fortunate and generally satisfied with my job: I enjoy what I do, I like my co-workers, and I appreciate my pay. But a nagging feeling of boredom and restlessness has been building over the past few years, and it’s getting to the point where it’s becoming difficult to ignore.
Strangely enough, where we live has played a significant part in accelerating those feelings of dissatisfaction. A few years ago my husband and I sold our tiny downtown Victoria condo and bought a duplex-style townhouse. We were excited to be going from a cramped 500 square feet to a far more spacious home of around 1,200 square feet, even though the only way we were able to make it happen was to move to a location well outside the city.
For me, living here means a daily commute on public transit that takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half (each way), depending on the traffic… a far cry from my previous 15-minute walk to the office! In some ways I don’t mind the commute (though I most definitely would if I was the driver!), as even when we’re sitting in traffic, I have the time and opportunity to listen to music, watch movies or podcasts, or play games on my iPod; to read a book; or just think and ponder life. But in other ways, living this way is wearying. I start the day at 6:00 a.m., and after a full work day and around 2 hours in transit, by the time dinner is done and evening rolls around I’m pretty much done.
A better person than I might not let this schedule get to them. I’m sure that for those in larger cities, this kind of thing is the norm! But for me, the commute that steals hours from the week, coupled with the restlessness of needing a change in my day-to-day work routine, is fast becoming too much.
Something needs to give.

I think that commute would be exhausting especially after another day of same ole grind when all I wanted was to be home! I would say that something has got to give. Good luck with that! ♥
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Kathy recently posted… This Too Shall Pass-BFF 224
Twitter: alphabetsalad
September 18, 2012
I’m VERY glad I was able to eliminate the commute by moving!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wayback Machine – Part 2
I understand! I lived outside of Manhattan my entire life 20 min express bus commute, got married and live out pretty far on Long Island. It is 1.5-2 hrs commute each way. That is as long as nothing goes wrong with the trains, or equipment etc. I have been working here for 13 years, and it is the daily grind that has become a bit much. I HATE going into the city on the weekends when I used to go for “fun”. Now it is a chore. Miss my Queens commute each day!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
September 18, 2012
I totally get that – and I feel for you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wayback Machine – Part 2
Good luck in deciding what to do. I know it can be hard to deal with commutes, especially when you are not completely satisfied with the job you are going to.
a.eye recently posted… I will not play ping pong
Twitter: alphabetsalad
September 18, 2012
I’m very happy with the way things ended up working out – moving, and working from home part time. Best of all worlds!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wayback Machine – Part 2
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