The Supercommuting Era: A 3-Hour Commute Just Twice a Week

Lately, the hottest topic around me is definitely 'Supercommuting'. Instead of taking a crowded subway every morning, it refers to people who commute from very far away just once or twice a week.

Honestly, at first I thought, "Are they crazy? Wasting 6 hours on the road?" But as I weighed soaring city housing prices against stifling living costs, I found myself looking into monthly train passes without even realizing it. Yes, it's already been almost 6 months since I started that 'crazy thing'.

The Real Reason I Chose Supercommuting

The biggest reason was undeniably the quality of my living environment. The deposit for a tiny studio apartment in the city center was enough to get a spacious, open-view apartment in the suburbs. Just as my company finalized a hybrid work schedule of only going to the office twice a week, my mental calculator started spinning fast.

'If I just suffer for two days a week, I can spend the remaining 5 days relaxing in a large, comfortable home!'

The Pros and Cons of Supercommuting I've Experienced

Things That Were Better Than Expected:

1. The True Feeling of 'Clocking Out': The moment I get on the train, I feel physically completely disconnected from work. Closing my laptop and looking out the window or catching up on Netflix makes for a pretty decent personal break time.
2. Expanded Living Radius and Quality of Life: With a bigger house, I could properly set up a home office, and on weekends, enjoying nature nearby is the best for mental health management.

Unexpected Cons:

1. Office Days Are Basically 'Wasted Days': The days I commute to the office, I just feel like a machine moving and working all day. Evening plans or working out are out of the question.
2. Unpredictable Transit Variables: If the train is delayed or there's bad weather, things get really grim. Because the commute distance is so long, the fatigue doubles.

Can I Keep Up With Supercommuting?

To get straight to the point, I plan to maintain this lifestyle for the time being. The satisfaction a comfortable home provides is much greater than the fatigue of the days I commute.

However, I'm careful about blindly recommending it. Stamina and time management skills are truly crucial. If you're considering supercommuting, definitely check first if your mode of transportation (like a train or express bus) provides an environment where you can fully rest. If you can read a book or catch up on sleep on the train, it can be a pretty worthwhile choice.