Will you able to be able to live near where you work in London? In Glasgow, you will almost certainly be able to afford to live in a nice place in the city centre where you can walk to work. People usually underestimate how much effect a long commute will have on their happiness (see e.g. here).
Also, you might consider trying this. If you’re still unsure, chances are the expected value of the two options is pretty close, and you shouldn’t worry too much about how you make the decision.
Disclaimer: I am in Glasgow, and would like to increase the population of LW-type people looking to make new friends who are here, so I’m probably biased.
This. I get most of my studying done on the train. The detrimental commute is driving (though it can be much ameliorated with audiobooks). A nice train commute is an asset enough for me to prefer it over no commute (however it is expensive).
A nice train commute is an asset enough for me to prefer it over no commute (however it is expensive).
You prefer X minutes of your time that you are forced to spend in the company of strangers, aboard a moving vehicle, over spending the same X minutes in the comfort of your own home doing the same activity?
I have 3 active little boys in the house. I love them, but they are hard to concentrate around.
Being aboard a moving vehicle might have a positive mental effect. I hear Tolstoy used to work on trains. I believe there were some well known physicists who did likewise, but can not recall the names.
I’m sorry I might have overstated my case a bit. Crowded subway commute is not fun either. My basic point is “it depends” and usually enough value rides on these decisions to look into details. Long car commutes generally suck (until we go driverless). Trains can be good or bad.
Will you able to be able to live near where you work in London? In Glasgow, you will almost certainly be able to afford to live in a nice place in the city centre where you can walk to work. People usually underestimate how much effect a long commute will have on their happiness (see e.g. here).
Also, you might consider trying this. If you’re still unsure, chances are the expected value of the two options is pretty close, and you shouldn’t worry too much about how you make the decision.
Disclaimer: I am in Glasgow, and would like to increase the population of LW-type people looking to make new friends who are here, so I’m probably biased.
I’ve started studying Anki cards on my commute, which seems to be working well.
This. I get most of my studying done on the train. The detrimental commute is driving (though it can be much ameliorated with audiobooks). A nice train commute is an asset enough for me to prefer it over no commute (however it is expensive).
You prefer X minutes of your time that you are forced to spend in the company of strangers, aboard a moving vehicle, over spending the same X minutes in the comfort of your own home doing the same activity?
Yes.
The train is probably nicer than you imagine.
I have 3 active little boys in the house. I love them, but they are hard to concentrate around.
Being aboard a moving vehicle might have a positive mental effect. I hear Tolstoy used to work on trains. I believe there were some well known physicists who did likewise, but can not recall the names.
Is this actually true? I asked on this month’s open thread, but didn’t get a response. Has it been properly studied?
I’m sorry I might have overstated my case a bit. Crowded subway commute is not fun either. My basic point is “it depends” and usually enough value rides on these decisions to look into details. Long car commutes generally suck (until we go driverless). Trains can be good or bad.
I came to Glasgow, but forgot about this thread… Do you want to do a micro-meetup? I’m cjamesb230@googlemail.com, or james.barton14 on Skype.