Hi All,
Starting at a MF PE shop in London and wondered what those of you who work in PE/IBD, who have a sense of the lifestyle, would recommend?
Is having a 30-35 minute commute time door-to-door worth it to have a nicer and more spacious apartment?
Open to opinions from the US and abroad also. More concerned with general thoughts on having a nicer flat for a longer slightly longer commute
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I think it's worth it if you will enjoy the extra space. One thing to consider is variability of commute time. Is 30 - 35 min ideal conditions that will often turn into 45 - 60 min?
15 minutes
It shouldn't turn into that no. I am looking at the Highbury & Islington area and the Victoria line is probably the most reliable line on London
Just get an apt in Marylebone / Victoria. The walk in the morning for 20 mins is a good bump in quality of life and you'll save money on no tube. Understand they're not hugely spacious areas but found the tradeoff pretty acceptable personally.
I have had a look in that area and everything seems very expensive for the space you get. FYI I would be moving with my partner so the extra living space is quite important to her.
I am looking at the Highbury & Islington area which is a single Victoria line train to Green Park (11 mins). I'd have maybe 10-13 minutes walk from my place to Highbury & Islington and then a roughly 6-10 minutes from Green Park
To follow up on this, are you currently renting alone and may I enquire if you're renting a studio/1-bed/2-bed and about what monthly cost?
This is the way. Massively simplify your life by living in Westminster or Marylebone. You will save on commuting costs and council tax which will counterbalance the higher rent. You can more than afford it working in finance, don’t see why you would schlep it to highbury
Would be living with my girlfriend who likes the space you get in the area
Currently live in one of the areas I mentioned with my partner in a one-bed for ~1000 all-included (plus another ~1000 each for the year on council tax). Honestly have never found the space thing an issue but not sure how much space you're looking for / what price points you're looking at. Happy to answer any specific questions.
EDIT: was replying above and think you re-commented so the ordered moved
You're currently anonymous so I cannot PM you but would you mind PM'ing me? Theres a few questions I'd like to ask if you don't mind
Will do
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Did you make a trade-off? Does your place offer more space etc?
~35-40 minutes, definitely sucks but I have a one bedroom in a nice building by a neighborhood I like that I couldn’t have afforded closer to the office. Hoping that COVID leaves some sustained flexibility such that it partially mitigates the long commute even after things normalize
This would be great long term for me - I am starting as an Analyst 1 and so could use the mentorship in the office I think. However, once at Associate and above (2 years in) I would definitely appreciate this. Not sure my firm would oblige though as they are one of the less flexible firms with regard to this
Used to do 40-50 in a car in Texas and hated it. I saved a ton of money, but if I could go back I’d pay up. Currently have a 15 minute train in NYC (20 minutes door to door) and the improvement to my mental health is unbelievable
IB checking in- live ~30-40 min walk to the office and I honestly hate it. I get ubers home which takes maybe 10, but the walk in the morning is really annoying.
I lose 30 mins of sleep minimum vs my colleagues that live near work, more if it’s hot and i shower/change at work. Also super nice to have the luxury of popping home during the day for lunch or if you forget something, which isn’t an option for me. Lastly, I have so little free time that I don’t even use my nice apartment all that much, so I’d way rather live in a less nice place closer to work.
Have you considered one of those electric scooters? That could probably cut 20 minutes off your commute
I'd definitely recommend Marylebone, if you work in Soho/Mayfair, it's a nice 30-35 min walk. Rent is not cheap, but can get a decent flat for decent price. Perfect time to move now as well, my partner and I managed to get a ~20% reduction on the asking price on a 2-bed flat.
I am currently looking there but have found somewhere nice in Victoria. Would be a 13 minute tube ride along the Victoria line or a 30 minute walk which seems fine for me. Hopefully we can close on it
Good luck mate!
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