How Important Is Commute Time?

When you're house hunting, most people have a home-buying checklist that helps determine if a place is right for them. The price, neighborhood, walkability, schools, square footage, and yard top the list. One thing that is sometimes not considered is commute time.

Many real estate experts warn that commute time plays a huge role in your daily life and can ultimately affect your mood and happiness--even your physical health. Statistics show that people are often happier living closer to their work. Here are buying a house and commuting.

1. Housing Costs
   When you're buying a house, the cost of the house is one of the first things you look at, right? Generally, the price of a home drops as you move further from the center of a city or urban area into the suburbs. The general guideline many agents suggest is to start at your work and drive until you can afford it. Then begin your home search. 
2. Commuting Costs
   The cost of commuting is much less cut-and-dry than we'd like. Commuting costs include the price of gas, insurance, car maintenance and repairs, toll fees, and parking — or the cost of taking public transport each day. When you're gauging the price of a home, it's incredibly important to factor in how long you'll be commuting each day and add your commuting costs to rent or mortgage to get more accurate comparisons.
3. Commuting Stress
   Your health should always be a big factor when you're buying a house. Commuting takes a toll on your health, both mental and physical. Studies show that people with longer commutes experience more frustration and stress and are likely less satisfied with life than those with a short daily commute. Longer commutes also contribute to higher blood sugar levels, higher cholesterol, and neck and back problems.
4. Your Lifestyle
   Commute time isn't only for work. It's for when you want to go out for entertainment. If you enjoy the nightlife, bars, clubs, access to restaurants and shopping, then an hour-long commute into town will quickly become a miserable hassle that keeps you from the things you love. If you're a homebody, then the hustle and bustle of urban neighborhoods might not work for you.
5. Job Flexibility
   Many careers offer an amount of flexibility that wasn't available in the past. If your work allows for flexible work hours, then you may be able to save yourself commute time by avoiding rush hours. Even better for your commuting costs is telecommuting; more businesses are allowing their employees the option of telecommuting to work at least part of the time.

Ultimately, the decision of where you live is up to you. If you're questioning actual commute time, take a test drive. Try the commute a couple of times, see how long it'll take and how much it will cost, and consider these factors when making your final decision.

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