For a year I commuted out of London, and it was wonderful — usually 1-4 people per carriage, almost always on time, very quiet. Returning to London was busier, but I always had a seat.
There is probably a political discussion based on when I did this vs. the sibling comment, but HN isn't the place for it.
Unlike varispeed's unfortunate experience my commute is indeed very chill and consistent! Train that I catch comes in full, unloads, a total of maybe 50 people board, leaves. Coming back in the evening is a bit more crowded, but it's very rare that I don't get a seat. I use that time to work or read and can enjoy the wonderful English countryside as a background :) Almost the opposite of what a dear friend has to experience in his reverse commute from Cambridge to King's Cross.
Many moons hence, when I was working for Logica, they had a campus out in Cobham ("Cobham Park"). The place was gorgeous, an old mansion on its own land, peacocks in the grounds, Chesterfield leather sofas in reception etc.
Cobham is just off the A3, so my commute from South London was outbound, on a clear road, watching the traffic jam start in the other direction, a few miles outside the M25 (the orbital motorway around London).
Coming back in wasn't quite so clear, London being London, but still a comparatively serene drive compared to the other direction :)
I used to commute out of London. It was anything but nice and quiet. I actually had to buy a car, because using train was not viable (expensive, always late and crowded or trains cancelled, often impossible to board). After coming late nth time, manager said either improve this or we will be looking at letting you go.
Getting a car was the best thing I've done.
Our country really need to focus on improving the public transport as at its current state is not fit for purpose.
That is so sad. Here in North America (with the odd exception) we don't even have a choice. Its the car only. The only good thing about a car is autonomy: you leave when you want to leave, and you have control of the environment => no noisy cell phone chats and you can choose whatever music you want to listen to or not.
Many commuters in London also leave when they want to leave, or close to it. Metro trains run every 2-10 minutes on most of the network (I'm including the ends of the lines there), urban/suburban/regional trains around every 10-20 minutes.
Personally, if the service is at least every 10 minutes I won't check the time when I leave. If it's 20 or more I will, and in-between probably depends on the weather and if the station is indoors or not.
There is probably a political discussion based on when I did this vs. the sibling comment, but HN isn't the place for it.