I'm in the short commute camp. I suddenly moved to Saint Louis for work and just took whatever apartment I could. 30 minutes to work and sometimes an hour home if there's a Cardinals game. I just moved literally two blocks from work and it's so nice. I spend more time walking to and from the car than I do in the car.
It's so hit or miss when you talk about moving. I had a super quiet apartment before and my new place has neighbors who seem to party at completely randomly times. 11am on Sunday? Sure. 4am on Wednesday? Why not? One thing I've noticed is that grocery stores in cities suck. It's such a little thing until you go to buy groceries and the selection and price totally suck. We've got a 1% income tax for living in the city plus a 9.7% sales tax. Add to that the increased rent and insurance associated with city living (my car insurance went up like $50/mo).
It's a tough call, but the additional time is really nice. Some people thrive on the alone time with music in the car to "switch gears", but I can do that at home.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you. It's always a stressful situation when you're talking about moving.
Not far from what you experience there. I'm 25 min outside of downtown on a good day, forget working in the city or driving there in the morning, or taking the train when it arrives on time, thanks septa.
Sales tax is 8% here and wage tax is the max too. Other counties have at least 1%, most 2.
I won't be saving much money since rent will be higher depending where I go but with the tax money not being taken out that should cover just about for increased rent.
It's amazing how crappy the apartments are in KOP, for higher rent too. Don't get me wrong they have some nice ones and they have been building new complexes all around my office buildings but all new developments are marked as "luxury apartments". $13-1700 for a 700sq foot room..as if it were the downtown area.
I used to complain that my current apartment is an old folks home but honestly when I do move I'm going to miss it. Probably the nicest and biggest place I've had on my own for the amount I'm paying. The drive just doesn't make it easy anymore. I'm actually going to feel better waking up later and only having a 20 minute drive back and forth.
You drive two blocks to work??
My first job I had I was literally 10 minutes from work. Really loved that I could go home for lunch, play some music on my PC and relax instead of eating at my desk so I can make sure to be on the highway by 4pm. There's a 15 minute window that if you aren't on the road by then, you're stuck like chuck. I'm sure some days he walks the two blocks.
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