The Super Commute

At first, the super commute seemed like the craziest idea ever! Splitting the family, traveling all the time, two homes, two or three cars, how the kids are going to react, etc, etc, etc...


So is it worth trying? Why should it even be considered? How can it work out?


Once again, I don't have all the answers. But I do have lots and lots of questions. The main one is: What will be the best for my family? And what do I consider to be the best for them? A good education for the kids and for my husband to continue to enjoy his job and advance his career. As for me, I want to have some time to enjoy myself. And maybe start a career as a Relocation Expert and Consultant.


So, if this is a consideration for you, as it is for us, the one thing you should keep in mind is this: Flexibility. You and your spouse will need to learn how to live with a flexible schedule and away from each other for a certain period of time.


So you're considering the super commute?
Here are a few things to consider:
1) The flight schedule;
2) Your work schedule;
3) Whether your company accept this option and still give you some benefits;
4) Your marriage situation;
5) The cost.


The flight schedule is number one on the list because keeping the job is a big consideration. You can't be on a place where getting to your job will be difficult. It is better to be on a place where if you miss a flight there will be another one on the same day, so you don't risk missing a important meeting for example.


There are several work schedules that can be considered. Regular work schedule and come back home on the weekends; work a few days per week at the office and some days at home;  work two weeks at the office and two weeks from home... It all depends on your company's culture and your boss' opinion.


About the company, you can find out if there are/were other people on this situation. Would your boss be ok with this alternative? You will have to present the company a strong reason to support your decision not to move and still take the job. You will have to calculate the cost of housing and other benefits and see if it will cover the cost of housing plus plane tickets - you will need a smaller place to live - at the place where your new position will be. Plane tickets can be very expensive. How about health insurance? Do you have international cover for your family? Would the company be willing to provide it?


Now the marriage. Are you or is your spouse jealous? Insecure? If you answered yes then don't even think about the super commute. Your life will be a living nightmare. If you answered no, great! How are your views on parenting? You will still have to consider that you will have to live as a single parent during part of the month.  So you will need to support each other more than ever. You will have to be consistent with the kids behavior and education. And both of you will have to take care of a house - do laundry, go to the supermarket, cook dinner... You can also use the time apart in a constructive way or not. It is your choice. How about watching movies or soap operas your husband doesn't like? Listening to pop radio stations? And the husband can watch all the baseball games without being disturbed. And listen to all the sports podcasts he wants. But I am not going to start giving relationship advices now. Each relationship is unique and only you will know if your marriage can endure the distance. Most of all, you will have to learn how to make the time together count. Do fun things and enjoy each other's company.


And now the cost. You will have to plan all your expenses and see if it's worth it. Are your kids at a private school or a public school? Can you use the money from the school to pay for the plane tickets? How is the cost of living at the city you're relocating to compared to the one you are considering staying at or moving to? What about the shipping costs to move your belongings? What extra expenses are you planning on having? I know you'll have lots of expenses, but you can save some money if you take a few weeks vacation where your spouse works during the school break. No need to pay for a hotel!


There is so much to be considered... It is not easy to make this decision. But it can work out really well.