Commuting and Work

[Ken G]

Background first...

Beginning of the year the wife was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which ended her career and now she finds it hard to work more than part time. Problem is, no one wants to hire her at all because of the RA.

We prefer to rent houses and the further from the city the better.

We have to keep rent at $1,000 or less. The mother in law that has no choice but to live with us picks up the other bills.

This now rules out this whole area. I don't know why anyone thinks it's worth renting houses around here for the sums they're asking.

We're toying with the idea of going to look at a farmhouse less than a mile west of Shabbona. Nice looking spot. It's 55 miles straight shot down 30 to 88 and on a good day just over an hour to get to work.

Option two is DeKalb. Surprisingly cheap houses and the distance and time is just a little under Shabbona.

Question is, how far do you all commute to work and what does it take time wise.

How far would you be willing to go if you had to. Especially if home is in a pretty nice spot.

I thought I asked this before, but I can't find it. I know Cory had some long distances to go, but I thought he fixed that.

What do you guys do and what do you think?

[Adam C]

My commute is an hour....give or take depending on traffic. You get use to it after awhile and I've developed a love for talk radio!

The commute allows me to fish everyday. I just tell my gf that I want to avoid sitting in traffic(which is true) so I leave early and hang around a little later after I get off.

I'd rather live where I wanted and have a long commute than dislike where I live and be close to work......that's just me.

I love the Geneva/St. Charles area and would love to move there......this would make my commute about an hour and 45 but I'd consider it if my girl was down.

[Special Ed]

My commute is all side roads and city streets that take me through Oswego, Plainfield, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Darien, & Lemont. On a good day it's 35 minutes, on a bad day it's 45. I'm not complaining.

I do not like where I live, but the housing crash left us stuck in a $150k hole since our place lost half it's value since we purchased. I'd rather live close to work, bicycle in on the days I can, save some gas & get a little exercise.

I was excited to move to Oswego years ago since I'd be so close to the river. I think I averaged 4 trips to the river a year over the last 6 years. Pathetic.

If something big doesn't pan out for me in the next few years, we'll pack up and head out to the desert or something. Close enough to the Pacific to make weekend trips of it, but far enough to not live in CA.

[Nick]

The new place is 22 miles door to door. Getting to work takes around 40 minutes on average thanks to the cluster fuck that they call 55. Well, sorta...The truth is that the 355 exit is the cause for most of the jams starting from weber to 355. After that, it tends to open up a bit. I leave my house shortly after 6am

On the way home from work it takes about 30 minutes.

I dont mind being in the car for 30 minutes, 45, or even a solid hour as long as I am actually moving.

[Dan]

25 minutes to. 30 home. The drive doesn't bother me, except those fucking trains in Blue Island!! I would rather be in a place I like as well, then be not happy where I'm at.

[Ken G]

I'd rather live where I wanted and have a long commute than dislike where I live and be close to work.

My sentiments exactly Adam. Having grown up in Chicago, I just can't stand being too close to it anymore. You didn't say where you live and Geneva/St. Charles is a decent area, but the river below Aurora and especially going down stream of Montgomery is much better if fishing is on the agenda. Seems like nobody goes there anymore.

Tested out the ride to Shabbona tonight. 55 miles in 1.25 hours. Pretty much takes me that long to get to Yorkville and it's only 42 miles. Was odd driving through all the farm fields heading west and thinking this is even remotely possible. Man, there's nothing out there, which is the draw.

My company is expanding like crazy. I think they're going to outgrow the place in Addison eventually. I'll try to talk them into Plano. The big Menards distribution center is near there. All the road work is already done.

Oddly, the biggest bottleneck on 88 is the toll arch at the Fox River. It's fucking open road tolling and these fools slow down to 20 mph to go under it. I've been watching over the years who the culprits are. Women, particularly women over 50. They don't get it, they're never going to get it and they should never be allowed on the highway. I got the plates of this one woman that I see all the time. She flat out refuses to go more than 40 mph and that in the left lanes. I'm going to petition the state to revoke her license.

You gotta see the place for rent. Across the street, cornfield. 200 feet to the west, cornfield. about 200 yards south, cornfield and a 10 minute walk to the east puts me on the edge of Shabbona State Park. I was thinking what it would be like driving Route 30 in January. That could be interesting.

[Ken G]

And Ed, one of the few places south and southwest of the city that I always liked as a kid was Lemont. Was there a few months ago. Not sure what the appeal is, but I just like the way it looks. Still do. You really can't beat the closeness of all the Forest Preserves around there.

[Dan]

Indian Creek Musky!!!!!!!!! Done and done

[Ken G]

Indian Creek Musky!!!!!!!!! Done and done

That was one of the appeals of the place Dan, but we're walking away from it. Dealing with Real Estate rep and the owner is just odd and we don't like odd.

[Nick]

... and we don't like odd.

There goes that damn pot calling the kettle black again