Going home for lunch

[jresta]

Since the weather has gotten nicer i've been riding my bike to work. The less than 10 minute ride allows me to go home for lunch.

Yesterday, I kicked off my shoes, fell into the couch and turned on the tube. Bored with the midday news I turned it off and thought to myself . . . "I've already finished eating. What am i going to do for the next half-hour" so i got to tending some long delayed chores around the house.

I've realized that i've been doing this on and off for the last 3 years and how much less rushed and stressful my life is and how much less work seems like just a job when i have a sizeable break in the middle of the day away from the world of work.

So i'm just wondering, if given a choice, would everyone choose a job close enough to be able to go home for lunch? If not, why?

 

[nerudite]

I used to love going home for lunch. I'm have pretty bad insomnia sometimes, and I used to use lunch time as nap time. After a 30 minute nap I was a new person!

Unfortunately my residence is far away from my work right now, and there isn't much I can do about it... otherwise, I would love to move to the City I work for. I try to make up for it by getting out for a walk during lunch (when it's not freezing!)... but I do miss the little luxury of going home for lunch.

 

[ecofem]

I live about 5 minutes away from my office, and I love it!

First of all, I'm inherently lazy.... living close to work allows me to sleep-in. Also, my job involves a fair amount of field work (ie. running around on various properties, which in my part of the world involves significant wetland areas and oppressive summer heat), so I can run home and take a shower on my way back into the office. Going home for lunch is nice, too. If I'm motivated, I can do chores... if I'm lazy I can get a hearty dose of daytime trash television.

My last home was also a 10 minute drive away from my last drive (different city). I can't imagine spending an hour a day sitting in traffic. I'd rather be sitting on my porch drinking wine or doing yardwork.

 

[pete-rock]

Since the weather has gotten nicer i've been riding my bike to work. The less than 10 minute ride allows me to go home for lunch.

I am incredibly envious of you. My office is about 50 miles from home, and I have to drive THROUGH the Loop (from the South Side to the northern suburbs) to get there.

It's definitely time for me to start a home business. I'd love to have the luxury of no commute. Plus, I wouldn't feel like I'm betraying my profession anymore.

 

[BKM]

At my first job (Knoxville, Tennessee), I lived a ten minute walk from work. That was pretty darn nice.

Now I live an approximately 15-20 minute drive, door-to-door (except when the freeway clogs). I can go home, but its pretty tough. Bicycling is possible, but not always very pleasant.

Sadly, I like my townhouse better than anything I could afford in central Fairfield (not to mention I prefer my neighborhood). So, unless I were to start working for Vacaville, I'm tied to the tailpipe>

 

[Tranplanner]

My first "real" job was a 15 minute walk from home - I very rarely went home for lunch though (my place was at the top of a big hill). Sometimes I'd pop in if I was on my way back from a site visit or something.

My last job was a 10 minute walk from home. Strangely though, I still didn't go home for lunch very often - I liked hanging out with my co-workers more than going home to an empty apartment. I started going home for lunch when my girlfriend (now wife) moved in with me and was around during the day...

I've got an almost hour long commute by transit now, and as much as I love taking the subway - it really, really sucks to "waste" two hours a day travelling. I was much more relaxed and nowhere near as exhausted by the end of the week. And yes, I had lots more time to go to the gym, cook, clean, run errands, etc.

My wife and I are looking at buying a loft now - but I don't think I'll get within walk-to-work range. Biking though...that should be doable.

 

[Seabishop]

I live close to city hall in the city I live in, but I drive 30 minutes to another city. I do not want to live where I work now. Planning jobs are few and far between, so I don't ever expect to live that close. Its hard when you're geographically bound. Have you ever seen the amount of "nurse wanted" ads ? Man, they've got it made!

 

[donk]

My house is a 5 minute drive or 10 minute walk to the office. I end up driving to the office every day and walking home for lunch when I have the time. Lately, due to staff changes I end up driving home for lunch as my lunch hour has been condensed.

I do not think I could handle having to commute for more then 20 minutes each way.

The reason i drive is that I "need" my car for work. I don't need it every day, but have been instructed i must have it at the office.

 

[Repo Man]

I live 10 minutes from work and have a 1-hour lunch. I usually drive home for lunch. It is nice to have 1/2 hour at home to break up the day. Plus I save a lot of money eating at home. I may move this fall and my commute would double, so I may have to start packing lunches or eating out. I also work 1/2 mile from a mall so it is nice to run errands or shop during off-peak hours.

 

[PlannerByDay]

Currently I live about 5 minutes from work by car. Prior to this, I worked in another city and commuted about 30 minuted each direction. I love living close to home.

I ride my bike to work on most friday's if I don't have a meeting or have to travel somewhere for work. I too go home for lunch almost everyday. I often take a nap or do things around the house. It is great, it is a great opportunity to refocus and break up the day. It is especially great if you are having a nasty morining, you can go home refocus and go back to work like it is a new day. At least that is how I operate.

Considering that I now think I am spoiled by going home everyday , I would NEVER live somewhere I have to travel more than 15-20 minutes to work.

 

[Mud Princess]

I'd love to be able to go home for lunch, but I'm 20 miles away, so here I sit at my desk, eating my take-out sushi and reading through the latest Cyburbia posts...

It would be so much easier if I could pop over to the house during the day to check the mail, make personal calls if I need some privacy, or just relax in a comfortable environment. My husband works 2 miles from home, so he goes home for lunch all the time. It makes the animals happy.

 

[Queen B]

Just got back from home. Makes my animals so happy!
I am 8 minutes from desk chair to couch. The problem is I get busy there and realize I need to get back. Daytime TV sucks.
I took a cut in pay for this job over my last but being able to eat at home and not driving 80 miles a day has saved me so much money.

 

[Planderella]

I work about 45-50 mins away from home, so going home for lunch is not an option. To be quite honest, even if I were close to home, I don't think I'd do it. I'd rather spend that time socializing with my co-workers, having lunch meetings with clients and/or colleagues/friends, running errands, etc.

 

[SGB]

In a previous job, when we moved from an apartment to our home I often joked that my commuting time tripled: I went from a 4 minute drive to a 12 minute walk. 'Twas wonderful....

Now, sadly, we live about 64 miles from my office. It's a beautiful rural commute, but L - O - N - G.

I'd love to be able to walk to work once again.

 

[Dan]

Last week, I took a series of photos showing my commute from work to home. I'll post 'em here in a few days.

if I went home for lunch, I'd have to turn around and head back the moment I pulled into the driveway. Mapquest tells me I'm exactly 16.00 miles from work. (For those in Canada, that's 143.5 Canadian miles.)

 

[H]

I live 4 blocks from work and go home about 3 times a week for lunch, when I am not meeting up with someone elsewhere. I love it and could not imagine any other way. I have always done it this way. I watched both my father and grandfather come home for lunch, so for me it just seems normal, even though I know is not.

 

[Lee Nellis]

I got to thinking that I was bored with working at home, so I rented an office downtown, about 15 minutes walking time and a completely hassle free drive from here. It was a serious mistake. The cat got depressed, I got depressed. Even going home for lunch is not enough. Life and work need to be integrated.

 

[H]

I got to thinking that I was bored with working at home, so I rented an office downtown, about 15 minutes walking time and a completely hassle free drive from here. It was a serious mistake. The cat got depressed, I got depressed. Even going home for lunch is not enough. Life and work need to be integrated.

I think it depends on the person. I had a previous job where I worked from home and I found that lonely. Now I go to an office (but am not there all day) and I enjoy this a lot more, the “formality” of it, like a conference room and all that good stuff. Now when I am home, I am home. Before I was always at work.

*this doesn’t mean that I dot still bring work home, because I do.

Anyway. different folks, different strokes.

Cheers

 

[Zoning Goddess]

My office is only about 8 min. from home but I usually don't go there at lunch, because it's so hard to get back in the car and come back to work! Plus it seems to throw all the pets out of whack, they think it's dinnertime or something. I only go home for lunch if I forgot something or need to let the dog out because I'm going somewhere right after work.

Most days I bring lunch and read the paper at my desk. I'm in a quiet corner and never get bothered then.

 

[Downtown]

I just got back from lunch. We're about 10 minutes away - my husband and I work in the same building, so we both go home for lunch. He watches Law and Order and I take a nap. Since getting pregnant, I can't imagine not getting my mid day sleep break. When I don't, I'm a total basket case by dinner time. Its also really nice when you leave work at 4:20 and are home in time to catch Everybody Loves Raymond while you cook dinner (or take another nap) at 4:30.

 

[de-bug]

My office is about a 6 minute drive from my new house. Until it was built, though, I spent 1 1/2 yrs living with my parents 45 miles away, for a nearly 2 hr total commute. Blech.

I thought that I would go home during lunch now since my new house is so close, but I've only done so once. Most days I work out in my company's exercise facility, or walk to the mall to do some shopping...toddler-free.

Even though I'm not eating lunches at home, I love the time I've gained outside of work. In a single evening I can go grocery shopping, make dinner, take my daughter to the park and still have time to sit outside by the fireplace on our patio and drink a glass of wine!

 

[Cardinal]

I live about 5 minutes from the office. I am management, though, so I don't get a lunch.

 

[Runner]

So i'm just wondering, if given a choice, would everyone choose a job close enough to be able to go home for lunch?

Absolutely, I'd say I consider it almost a requirement. As far as we're concerned, the ultimate situation would be a live/work arrangement.

 

[jordanb]

Absolutely, I'd say I consider it almost a requirement. As far as we're concerned, the ultimate situation would be a live/work arrangement.

I used to think that would be great, but I've watched my roomate do it for about six months now. Even if you're good about going out (which he isn't), you're still spending a huge amount of time within just a few rooms. Also, it's impossible go home from work because you live and work in the same place. In addition, he says it takes a lot more willpower to stay on target than it did when he had an office, as he has quite a few distractions.

I'd love to be able to walk to work, and I'd jump at the chance to do that, although my 1/2 hour subway commute is pretty nice, but I'd never want to do live/work.

 

[SGB]

I live about 5 minutes from the office. I am management, though, so I don't get a lunch.

Michael -

Shouldn't management set the example for staff by taking at least some time during the workday to recharge?

I actually benefit from having a manager who takes lunches and actually uses personal time during the work week to help care for his toddler. It makes it much easier for me to feel comfortable to do the same.

 

[Cardinal]

Michael -

Shouldn't management set the example for staff by taking at least some time during the workday to recharge?

I actually benefit from having a manager who takes lunches and actually uses personal time during the work week to help care for his toddler. It makes it much easier for me to feel comfortable to do the same.

So you are saying that the time I spend on Cyburbia contributes to a better work environment for the others in the office?

 

[SGB]

So you are saying that the time I spend on Cyburbia contributes to a better work environment for the others in the office?

Absolutely!

 

[Runner]

I used to think that would be great, but I've watched my roomate do it for about six months now. Even if you're good about going out (which he isn't), you're still spending a huge amount of time within just a few rooms. Also, it's impossible go home from work because you live and work in the same place. In addition, he says it takes a lot more willpower to stay on target than it did when he had an office, as he has quite a few distractions.

I think you may be confusing live/work (live over work) with work at home.

We would love to have a live/work home where the office/shop is downstairs and the living quarters are on the second and third floors. They are separated but your commute is very very short (one floor).

Working at home / home office / telecommuting are very different and yes you leave yourself open to distractions in both directions with these.

 

[Wulf9]

I have a two minute bike ride to work.

I used to eat lunch out in my previous job because it was a 15 minute bike ride. My basic lunch requirement was that the coffee portion of the lunch had to be tastier than the food portion.

Now I ride home at lunch. I also do most of my field inspections by bike. If I need to take a break, I can ride out through the vineyards. it's pretty nice.

 

[mendelwoman]

going home for lunch

At my previous job I was able to go home for lunch. I found that I utilitzed my lunch hour the best when I was able to use it to speed clean my house, make personal phone (such as Dr apts, etc), as well as relaxing in general. As a result of using my lunch hour for these purposes I was able to better enjoy my evenings when I was done with work for the day. I think we should follow the example of other countries and incorporate a siesta hour in which everyone can return home midday.

 

[H]

just got back. the nap was nice

 

[Cardinal]

Just got back. Made a date for this evening.

 

[Chet]

Just got back. Made a date for this evening.

Wow, thats really short notice for a high end escort.

 

[Cardinal]

Wow, thats really short notice for a high end escort.

Who said anything about high-end?

Er,... maybe I had better shut up or I'll find myself eating alone.

 

[JNL]

Anyway, bringing the conversation back to civilised levels...

I have a 20min drive to work. I work in an industrial area and have to drive for 5mins to buy lunch. So most of my lunch breaks I spend at my desk.

I would love to be able to walk to work, and meet up with friends at lunch time. I don't think I'd want to go home at lunch time though, I don't see any need. Plus I only have a half hour break.