Commute from Ellicott City, MD to Reston, VA (College Park: apartment, lease)

[MessiPlayer]

I'm a recently college grad who just finished a contract position and currently back in the job market. While I haven't had much success finding a local job, I have gotten a few emails of interest from companies that are down in the DC/Virginia corridor, most of them in Reston. There's an opportunity that I think is worth chasing in Reston, but I've been dissuaded for pursuing positions around there before only because I have others tell me "You'll have a 4 hour commute every day" and what-not. In all honesty, provided that the work and the money is worth it, I'm not against getting up early in the morning for a speedier morning commute. My hope is that after I've built up a bit of money, I'll look for an apartment that's closer to my workplace and would reduce my average commute.

I have experience driving down into the DC area, since I used to drive down to College Park all the time, and while Route 29 was fairly okay for the most part (since ICC construction slowed it down for a while), Route 1 was the place where I felt I wasted more of my time. Realistically, can I spend up to 2 hours commuting just by merging onto the DC Beltway from 29?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by MessiPlayer

I'm a recently college grad...
There's an opportunity that I think is worth chasing in Reston...
My hope is that after I've built up a bit of money, I'll look for an apartment (there)...

Realistically...

Plan to share a place (house, apt, etc) down there for the first 6-12 months.
All the rest will come in due course.

[ncole1]

Originally Posted by MessiPlayer

I'm a recently college grad who just finished a contract position and currently back in the job market. While I haven't had much success finding a local job, I have gotten a few emails of interest from companies that are down in the DC/Virginia corridor, most of them in Reston. There's an opportunity that I think is worth chasing in Reston, but I've been dissuaded for pursuing positions around there before only because I have others tell me "You'll have a 4 hour commute every day" and what-not. In all honesty, provided that the work and the money is worth it, I'm not against getting up early in the morning for a speedier morning commute. My hope is that after I've built up a bit of money, I'll look for an apartment that's closer to my workplace and would reduce my average commute.

I have experience driving down into the DC area, since I used to drive down to College Park all the time, and while Route 29 was fairly okay for the most part (since ICC construction slowed it down for a while), Route 1 was the place where I felt I wasted more of my time. Realistically, can I spend up to 2 hours commuting just by merging onto the DC Beltway from 29?

Just rent a room in a house close to work. It's probably comparable to living at home cost-wise once you take into account the avoided commuting cost (not just gas, but the fact that your vehicle will need sooner servicing and sooner replacement from all that excess mileage).

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by ncole1

Just rent a room in a house close to work. It's probably comparable to living at home cost-wise once you take into account the avoided commuting cost (not just gas, but the fact that your vehicle will need sooner servicing and sooner replacement from all that excess mileage).

It is even worth breaking a lease in Ellicott City (if you have one) to avoid the commute to Reston. In addition to the wear-and-tear on you car, there is the risk of accidents to delay your arrival at work, the risk you would be in an accident yourself, etc.

[reiflame]

Your friends are right and you will hate yourself. However, as a recent college grad it's probably worth it for a year to get the experience and money. Do it now while you don't know any better and every future job you have you'll say "well, at least it wasn't Ellicott City to Reston".

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by MessiPlayer

I'm a recently college grad who just finished a contract position and currently back in the job market. While I haven't had much success finding a local job, I have gotten a few emails of interest from companies that are down in the DC/Virginia corridor, most of them in Reston. There's an opportunity that I think is worth chasing in Reston, but I've been dissuaded for pursuing positions around there before only because I have others tell me "You'll have a 4 hour commute every day" and what-not. In all honesty, provided that the work and the money is worth it, I'm not against getting up early in the morning for a speedier morning commute. My hope is that after I've built up a bit of money, I'll look for an apartment that's closer to my workplace and would reduce my average commute.

I have experience driving down into the DC area, since I used to drive down to College Park all the time, and while Route 29 was fairly okay for the most part (since ICC construction slowed it down for a while), Route 1 was the place where I felt I wasted more of my time. Realistically, can I spend up to 2 hours commuting just by merging onto the DC Beltway from 29?

Come on... You will shorten your life if you try to commute from Ellicott City to Reston. A lot of the hard part is trying to leave Reston after 5pm. That alone is an hour just to get to 495.