I'm in a similar situation. It's a pain, but one thing that I *think* helps is to still go in like once a month. It's not always practical, and it actually makes it harder for me to get work done, but it at least gives people the perception that "oh, metzger does come in with they have to."

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In any case, they should be mad at the employer, not you. I would tell you to tell them that, but considering your employer has the ridiculous policy in the first place, they'd probably be more inclined to take your ability to work remote away rather than extend it to others.

I commuted Columbia to Reston for 2 years, way back in the 90s. Just sucked. Beltway was like a Mad max scene, and you spend 3+ hours a day in your car. Sucks.

Been working remote (3 different companies) since 2000, never looked back.

I used to commute the other way, with my work being in Columbia. On the way back, I'd go 29 -> 495, but I would just go to a Starbucks for a few hours instead of getting on 495 during peak rush hour traffic. I will forever hate the spur.

Ahhhh exactly this!!!! Hit the nail on the head!

Yesss I am so grateful! 270 Sucksssssss!!!!!!

Yep I am getting my work done and actually more work now since I’m remote. I have to explain it to them because where I work, they are no longer allowing people to go remote status as they want people coming into the office. They are old school. They aren’t even hiring remote workers anymore. The requirement is that if you get hired you have to come in 3 times a week. Which will make it harder for them to find people, and so many people left. It’s like a stigma. So even if someone lived in this area, if they never asked to be remote prior to going hybrid, they have to come in. I was smart and I hopped on it as soon as I could before the rules changed. I don’t owe anyone anything as they know I am getting my work done. It’s just so much confusion. Like everyone is confused as to how I got it. And the questions are annoying. Having to explain where I live and why. Honestly I just wanted to vent and wanted to know if anyone in this area had a similar situation.

I feel your pain. Baltimore isn’t that far away to your salty coworkers who live in DC/NOVA. But to a friend or family member, Baltimore is too far of a drive or too dangerous to travel to.

Are you having to explain to coworkers? I’m confused by what the overall motive is of your post. I completely sympathize with long commutes in this area. If you are remote, and it works for you and your employer, that’s all that really matters. You shouldn’t have to justify it to anyone. Sometimes optics are more important than productivity, which could be the reason why many places are requiring more in-person work. I encourage anyone to advocate for telework. You’ve done nothing wrong and if you are getting your work done, it shouldn’t matter where it gets done.

I know the pain. I have clients in the Nova area and I dread going, no matter what time of day. Generally, as soon as you get to Silver Spring, you become backed up. And god forbid there is an accident!

Be thankful you are remote. When you are asked, just say it is/became a fully remote position.

A few days I think? Maybe a week? and they a few weeks for detailing and repairs.

Same here. Rent prices make no sense

Same once I can afford to move I am. Not because of the crime though, it’s really not that bad in KC I live like a 5 minute walk from OP I just hate it here

How long did it take?

Sound argument.

I'm really sorry this happened to you. ❤️

No one has stolen our car, but countless packages have been pirated from our porch over the years, and one brazen person nabbed something from my husband's car the one time it was in our driveway unlocked (ran in to grab something + a bathroom visit) instead of safely stowed in the garage.

These are nuisance crimes, but at least there aren't violent marauders afoot constantly. I know that's not much consolation to you, especially when you're just living your life according to the social contract, and someone snatches something of this magnitude from you.

You won’t hear me argue about the first 2. You are however objectively wrong about the crime.

I absolutely am once my lease is up.

Columbia isn't a suburb. It's Maryland's second largest city. The population density (3310 people/sq mi) is comparable to:

• Houston, TX (3617)
• Tampa, FL (3505)
• Phoenix, AZ (3245)
• Austin, TX (3060)
• Charlotte, NC (2873)
• New Orleans (2301)

https://filterbuy.com/resources/most-and-least-densely-populated-cities/. Full list at the bottom.

Property crime in Columbia is 15.39/1000 residents.

-Houston is 43.06

-Tampa is 16.34

-Phoenix is 31.77

-Austin is 38.0

-Charlotte is 33.66

-New Orleans is 47.13

If you look at cities with comparable overall population and population density, you get:

• Everett, WA is 3359/1000 residents and has a property crime rate of 33.09
• Meridian, ID is 3254 and has a rate of 8.5
• Roseville, CA is 3210 and has a rate of 19.65
• Arvada, CO is 3113 and has a rate of 31.52
• Temecula, CA is 3079 and has a rate of 20.61

All crime rate data is from Neighborhood Scout.

Numbers speak for themselves.

Feel free to relocate then?

🙋‍♂️

I completely agree, the county has done a great job at keeping apartments out of west county and therefore keeping lower income families from utilizing these areas/schools. That needs to change but don’t see Clarksville and Glenelg all of a sudden allowing that.

Well, Columbia just got voted the safest city in the US. Maybe you forgot where you parked it.

u gotta throw shrubbery and leaves on ur car if u leave parked. camo

I had great luck with Columbia Finishers.

PA, And WV are both much better places to live. And it really isn’t close.