Whether you’re sandwiched into place on the train or stuck in traffic, many people would agree that commuting can be the worst part of any job. It’s no wonder commute times play such a big part in decisions on whether or not to apply for a job.
But with the UK getting ever smaller thanks to improvements in transport links, will the compromise between where you live and where you work soon be a thing of the past?
It’s no surprise then that the totaljobs.com job map of the UK has proven to be such a popular tool for job seekers since it launched. It allows you to plot jobs according to your city, town or even postcode, letting you track exactly how far away a job is from your home. Whilst many people are willing to move in order to land that dream job, it’s not always possible and long commutes can soon take their toll. That extra half an hour in bed is sometimes needed and there’s only so much coffee you can drink, after all.
Cost of living
Other considerations also need to be taken into account. Depending on where in the UK you work, the salaries can differ wildly. It’s possible to check how marked the difference is on the totaljobs.com salary checker and those big numbers, usually concentrated in the south, can look enticing.
However, whilst salaries fluctuate so too does the cost of living. For example, the Land Registry Monthly Report in January 2011 put the average price of a home in London at £341,871 compared to the UK average of just £163,177. And that’s only the beginning. Prices can vary on anything from a pint down your local to the cost of shampoo.
High speed rail network
And this is part of the reason why a new high-speed rail network was proposed last week. Aiming to link London, the West Midlands, Manchester and Leeds with the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, it is hoped that this network will generate £44 billion as well as reducing journey times between the UK’s major cities and commuter towns in between. It should also give job seekers more options when it comes to how far they’re willing to travel.
It seems the UK is continually shrinking and we’re able to go further in less time than ever before, and this should help to make finding a job that fits our needs ever easier in the future...
