Crazy Diamond Posted 6 July, 2012 Share Posted 6 July, 2012 Just a quick question for the regular commuters. I start a new job on Monday and I have to commute from Shawford to Crystal Palace for 9am every morning. It's an interesting journey, 6:49 train to Waterloo, I then have to come back on myself to get back to Clapham Junction, then get a train to Crystal Palace. Just wondering why trains between 7am and 9am don't stop at Clapham Junction? I seem to remember that at the very least trains stopped at Woking so you could change, but now they don't even do a service from Woking to Clapham Junction at that time of morning. Bizarre if you ask me. I seem to remember that they wanted you to avoid Waterloo at all costs, so made you change at Clapham Junction and go from there. Now it's the other way around entirely. Going through Waterloo will cost me an extra £40 on top of the £400-odd that I'll be paying for a season ticket. Thankfully it's not a journey i'll be doing for very long as my office is relocating to Holborn, but it's certainly going to be a tiring journey until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 6.49? Where are you travelling from? Ohh and if you can get a season ticket for 400 quid, that's cheaper than a tube pass. Granty is your man... he used to have to go into Waterloo and then back out to Clapham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 You can get to Crystal Palace from Waterloo East in c.35 mins (need to change at London Bridge) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Strange, as I am pretty sure one of the trains that goes through Weybridge stops at Clapham. Your best bet is to change at Woking and then Surbiton (you'll find some services that go from Surbs to CJ. Congrats on joining the London posse though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 It's only a matter of time before you move mate. That journey will kill you, if done every day. Each change you make. Sans another possible delay. You might also want to look at driving if possible. As you won't have to go back on yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Why would anyone from down here want to work in London? When I go to customer meetings up there it drives me nuts. Miserable f*ckers on the train and tube, everyone pushing and shoving. Ridiculously expensive to get to, having to be up at 5.30 every morning to get the train, not home until 7.30 most nights. I would need a serious amount of extra money to even consider it, I'm talking £30-£40k extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COMEONYOUREDS Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Some people don't have a choice mate.. I did winchester to London for 2 years, nearly killed me. Had to move in the end and now looking for an escape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 7 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2012 It's only a matter of time before you move mate. That journey will kill you, if done every day. Each change you make. Sans another possible delay. You might also want to look at driving if possible. As you won't have to go back on yourself. Yep it certainly will, but I'm on just a three month contract with no guarantee of a permanent thing at the end - like I say they will be moving to Holborn soon so if I do get a permanent contract it'll be easier. Driving is a bit tricky as I had an accident and accumulated six points - it now costs me the price of the car to get insured. Strange, as I am pretty sure one of the trains that goes through Weybridge stops at Clapham. Your best bet is to change at Woking and then Surbiton (you'll find some services that go from Surbs to CJ. Congrats on joining the London posse though. Thanks. I did look at doing the Surbiton thing but it looks like five or six changes just to get there, might be a bit hectic. Thing is, suburban services run from Woking, so it's amazing that they don't even go to CJ. You can get to Crystal Palace from Waterloo East in c.35 mins (need to change at London Bridge) Yep, looked into that. It's quicker however to go back on myself and get on a train headed for Victoria at Clapham Junction. I was at London Bridge the other day and I don't really want to go back. Horrible place. 6.49? Where are you travelling from? Ohh and if you can get a season ticket for 400 quid, that's cheaper than a tube pass. Granty is your man... he used to have to go into Waterloo and then back out to Clapham Shawford. I did speak to 'Granty' actually, who told me he doesn't get out of bed until eight every morning. I'll be up at half five to get to Shawford for half six. Why would anyone from down here want to work in London? When I go to customer meetings up there it drives me nuts. Miserable f*ckers on the train and tube, everyone pushing and shoving. Ridiculously expensive to get to, having to be up at 5.30 every morning to get the train, not home until 7.30 most nights. I would need a serious amount of extra money to even consider it, I'm talking £30-£40k extra. Unfortunately my business chum, it was the only job I could get after a year out of work and looking for anything I could get in my profession. I quite agree it's a pain in the arse to get to - I'll be up at 5:30 each morning for a 6:49 train, I'll be lucky to get home before 8pm. I'll have about two hours to myself before I go to bed to do it all again. It is the only job offer I have had and it's a good job at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I get the 6.49 from Shawford... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 7 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I get the 6.49 from Shawford... I'll be the tired looking chap. I'm going to start off at Eastleigh as I know someone who parks down there, they're going to give me a lift. I think I'll be doing Shawford in about a month's time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I do the commute into London every day. Seriously thinking of sacking it off and emigrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belgrave Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I've done the shawford 6 49 for a few years. Main attraction is free parking. Main drawback is when things go slightly wrong, just outside peak time in evenings. Mornings generally reliable. Eastleigh gives you a bit more flexibility, Winchester more so - but pricey parking. Waterloo east would work for connectivity. I'd avoid Clapham as cross london connection + Waterloo / Southampton line will be stressful over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 7 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I've done the shawford 6 49 for a few years. Main attraction is free parking. Main drawback is when things go slightly wrong, just outside peak time in evenings. Mornings generally reliable. Eastleigh gives you a bit more flexibility, Winchester more so - but pricey parking. Waterloo east would work for connectivity. I'd avoid Clapham as cross london connection + Waterloo / Southampton line will be stressful over time. I may well be seeing you and Hatch then at some point. Got my season ticket earlier today for Eastleigh - Waterloo - Palace, £442. I've been told another good route is Shawford - Winchester - Canada Water - Crystal Palace, but it involves the Jubilee Line which I know for a fact is one of the most unreliable lines. Avoids Clapham Junction though and doesn't make me go back the way I came, so I think I'll have a look at it. My Eastleigh - Crystal Palace ticket might cover it, I'll see on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Why would anyone from down here want to work in London? When I go to customer meetings up there it drives me nuts. Miserable f*ckers on the train and tube, everyone pushing and shoving. Ridiculously expensive to get to, having to be up at 5.30 every morning to get the train, not home until 7.30 most nights. I would need a serious amount of extra money to even consider it, I'm talking £30-£40k extra. It's certainly a soul destroying place. Give me a rural alamo of traditional Englishness any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I do the commute into London every day. Seriously thinking of sacking it off and emigrating. We don't want your sort over here. This is a mod free zone Although I hear that Australia are in need of Cricketers these days, you may get some opps down that way just tell them you bowl better than Warner you'll get a Visa no problems. (much easier than having to get a Hairdresser or Plasterer qualifiaction) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 We don't want your sort over here. This is a mod free zone Although I hear that Australia are in need of Cricketers these days, you may get some opps down that way just tell them you bowl better than Warner you'll get a Visa no problems. (much easier than having to get a Hairdresser or Plasterer qualifiaction) I'd move to South Africa, indeed been taking Hutch's counsel on it for a while. I am quite fortunate that we own a property there and could live there for a good while without needing to work, see my kids grow up etc. I am worried about how I keep my handicap high to maintain my bandit status as I'd be forced to play every day. So I have a straight choice, keep climbing the greasy pole to a 'C' level position in a big UK company or semi-retire. Reading the Whitey thread on the main board puts it in to perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 7 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2012 I do the commute into London every day. Seriously thinking of sacking it off and emigrating. Well at my job interview I spoke to my new boss, who is an Australian girl only a few years older than me. I told her that my parents had been out there recently and loved it, she said I would too and should go whilst I'm still young, before deciding she wanted me for the job! I was going to give another country a shot before landing this job. My old mentor at uni said I should do it too - even offered me a shot at a job in Singapore whilst I was still studying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint in Paradise Posted 7 July, 2012 Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Remember a Pound in your pocket is your best friend. I would keep a job in these difficult times rather than spend lots of money on travel. Save up then travel in a few years as hopefully the situation will have improved. Easy for an old chap who is in semi retirement to say of course so Good Luck with what you decide to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 7 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2012 Remember a Pound in your pocket is your best friend. I would keep a job in these difficult times rather than spend lots of money on travel. Save up then travel in a few years as hopefully the situation will have improved. Easy for an old chap who is in semi retirement to say of course so Good Luck with what you decide to do. Thank you very much sir. Thing is, I'm earning so little that should I be offered a permanent deal, it'll be spent on a deposit for a flat in the capital. I can't see myself enjoying a lavish lifestyle for quite some time...! I had no intention of leaving the UK until I saw the sheer amount of journalism jobs available in places like the States, so my head was turned. Then last week I found this gig and by Tuesday I'd got it, like I say, after a year of searching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 10 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 10 July, 2012 I've done the shawford 6 49 for a few years. Main attraction is free parking. Main drawback is when things go slightly wrong, just outside peak time in evenings. Mornings generally reliable. Eastleigh gives you a bit more flexibility, Winchester more so - but pricey parking. Waterloo east would work for connectivity. I'd avoid Clapham as cross london connection + Waterloo / Southampton line will be stressful over time. I get the 6.49 from Shawford... I probably saw you chaps today. Signal problems at Waterloo eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 10 July, 2012 Share Posted 10 July, 2012 Why anyone would want to work on London is beyond me, let alone commuting from Eastleigh. To quote a certain Alan Partridge, "get the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment Parkway and Shattered Dreams Central" Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSaint Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Why anyone would want to work on London is beyond me, let alone commuting from Eastleigh. To quote a certain Alan Partridge, "get the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment Parkway and Shattered Dreams Central" Best of luck. Whilst that is a brilliant Partridge-ism, London is a brilliant place if you are lucky enough to live in it or by it. I wouldn't want an Eastleigh commute though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 (edited) Why anyone would want to work on London is beyond me, let alone commuting from Eastleigh. To quote a certain Alan Partridge, "get the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment Parkway and Shattered Dreams Central" Best of luck. I've worked in London for 26 years. It's a splendid place to work. Fact-a-mondo. :-) Edited 11 July, 2012 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 London is a million times better for working than anywhere around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Shawford. I did speak to 'Granty' actually, who told me he doesn't get out of bed until eight every morning. Yeah, sorry about that. The sole reason for me moving up here was to end that sodding commute. Two hours door-to-door, made worse because the fast trains don't stop at Clapham Junction, so I'd have to go into Waterloo and back out again on the stopper, change at Clapham Junction for Wandsworth Common. Leave home just before 7 in the morning, get back at 7.30 in the evening. Living in Croydon, I can get to work in about 20 minutes now, hence the staying in bed until 8am thing I can pretty much guarantee you'll want to find a place up here if your contract gets extended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Why anyone would want to work on London is beyond me, let alone commuting from Eastleigh. To quote a certain Alan Partridge, "get the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment Parkway and Shattered Dreams Central" Best of luck. To get paid loads. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackanorySFC Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 After commuting from Parkway for 7 years I jacked it in in January. My day started by getting up at 05.45 and getting the 06.38 and coming back on the 18.05 if lucky but usually the 18.35 getting me in doors at 7.30pm or 8.00pm. Absolutely killed me in hindsight (I now work in Winchester – bliss….) the worst part is you convince yourself and others that “it’s actually not that bad, only 1hr 5 mins on the train, time to myself, read a good book, catch up on work, others in the office from Essex/ Kent have similar journey times etc etc” when in fact you spend your time working out how many days a year you spend commuting! Signal failures etc are a fookin nightmare when they happen, chaos! Disagree with Turkish regarding rude people etc. I personally like that, hate communicating with some happy clappy moron at 6.45am or (even worse) some weirdo you’ve never met who wants to talk about their new job that doesn’t understand train etiquette of saying nothing and keeping yourself to yourself. Oh, I hope no one on here is part of the “train party” that sit in the same seats with their party food every night and even having Christmas parties! Lived there for 3 years before moving down and commuting for family reasons, in my early 20’s it was amazing – a truly great place to live but crippling financially with all the temptations that come with it! Would absolutely hate to bring kids up there though, dirty, grotty place frequented by people I have nothing in common with. Work wise it’s awesome. Not only in the quality of the job but in the quality of your colleagues. You can recruit awesome staff there (have serious problems at my new place with “small time” attitude of some colleagues) and the perks (wages/ jollies/ working environment etc) are absolutely different level. South Hampshire is an amazing place to live, Hamble, South Downs, New Forest, Solent, Winchester etc and my favourite place in the World, Southampton. If you can get a job that pays more than your outgoings near you here then it’s a pretty happy life you’ll live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Whilst that is a brilliant Partridge-ism, London is a brilliant place if you are lucky enough to live in it or by it. I wouldn't want an Eastleigh commute though. I agree, London is a great place to live and work. Those who say it isn't just either have to commute too far or aren't young enough (at heart) to enjoy it. It really is the capital of the world. You were an ex Walton on Thames'er weren't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Been Commuting for about 18 years now. Still not fed up with it. It has it's moments, but you could get that driving down the Avenue. Also helps working for a company who are not that strict on timekeeping, so sometimes getting the later trains is a bonus. ( every day this week so far as it happens) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 To get paid loads. HTH And end up spending a small fortune on commuting - HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 And end up spending a small fortune on commuting - HTH But still a net gain (london weighting vs train fare) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 But still a net gain (london weighting vs train fare) London weighting - gain Commute time - Loss Getting up at stupid O'Clock to make the commute - Loss Having to get to bed early to get up at stupid O'Clock to make the stupid commute - Loss All imho of course, it's not all about money if it has an effect on your quality of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 London weighting - gain Commute time - Loss Getting up at stupid O'Clock to make the commute - Loss Having to get to bed early to get up at stupid O'Clock to make the stupid commute - Loss All imho of course, it's not all about money if it has an effect on your quality of life. As you say, all comes down to personal preference in the end. I leave home at 7 and get back 12 hours later. Sad as it may sound I really like the 4 hours round commute each day - it's "me time" and is a nice separation between family life and work life. I can also work from home from time to time (yesterday and today for example) which also helps to break up the routine every fortnight or so. Been doing it for 26 years now and wouldn't want it any other way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 11 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Well I have an interesting development... I beat 500 other applicants to make the final five for a job with the Premier League. They could take two people on, and I was third choice. They said they were impressed with me however and wanted to offer me an internship - something they don't normally do. I hadn't heard from them in ages and assumed it was dead, then this job comes up and I've got a three month deal with view to a permanent contract. Two days in and I'm not enjoying it 100%, but I'm told things will pick up when we move offices to Holborn. Okay, I can sort of see that. Then the Premier League ring and say they want me for three months to do some stuff that's interesting. I said I couldn't take them up on the offer, but got home and thought I'd see what was what. I got back in contact and they said they'd offered it to other people and had some interest, but I was always first choice. So today the guy who interviewed me and got back in touch with me went off to HR to see if I could still take the job despite it being offered around. Nothing from him so far this evening - not helped by O2 being ****ing useless. Today though I was given more stuff that sounds good, and I'm told the ball is in my court for a permanent job at the end of the three months. The Premier League have no job at the end of it and have told me straight. So, do I go and do three months at the Premier League, a job I badly wanted and have worked for years towards, with a much simpler commute, or stick with what I'm doing, put up with it until it gets interesting and take the permanent job? Last night I wanted the Premier League gig, tonight I want to stay put. Permanent contract = money, move to London which is good for a number of reasons, security. I was out of work for an entire year until Monday of this week. Tough one. Oh and commuting tonight wasn't fun, my train was cancelled. Woop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 3 months of enjoyment followed by an uncertain future or 3 months potential plodding followed by a permanent contract? Simple decision for me, but it's not me who has to make the decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 11 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 July, 2012 3 months of enjoyment followed by an uncertain future or 3 months potential plodding followed by a permanent contract? Simple decision for me, but it's not me who has to make the decision. It just got more complicated. The Premier League have made me a concrete offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 11 July, 2012 Share Posted 11 July, 2012 (edited) It just got more complicated. The Premier League have made me a concrete offer. Concrete offer of a job - ie paid? or concrete offer of work for free and then review? Commuting is undeniably ****, especially if you need to travel at peak times or need to change trains / get on the tube once you arrive in London. Use it as a means to an end of gaining experience and paying off debts with one eye on what you want next and its fine for a while - especially with a coffee, seat and paper / device. I did it for two separate periods totalling five years - which worked me into a position I am now - based at home and totally flexible days. Edited 11 July, 2012 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 11 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 July, 2012 Concrete offer of a job - ie paid? or concrete offer of work for free and then review? Three months paid, including expenses. No job at the end of it. Will be thought of first for any new jobs. Current employer who I started with on Monday want me for the same amount of time, proper pay, no expenses. Have already asked me to think about the permanent job at the end of it. Anyway, I have to go to bed. Got to get that 6:43 from Eastleigh tomorrow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippineSaint Posted 15 July, 2012 Share Posted 15 July, 2012 Will have to commute from Batangas in Philippines to Luanda in Angola via Heathrow on Wednesday 28 hours travelling in baggage class as well not a happy bunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSaint Posted 15 July, 2012 Share Posted 15 July, 2012 I agree, London is a great place to live and work. Those who say it isn't just either have to commute too far or aren't young enough (at heart) to enjoy it. It really is the capital of the world. You were an ex Walton on Thames'er weren't you? Yes, that's me. Still enjoying Weybridge? I'll be back to WOT in a few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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