Should I move closer to work?

Question

Currently I commute 2 hours per day to work from the san fernando valley to downtown Los Angeles. I have been doing it for 15 years and have grown weary of commute. If I sell my 1500 sf condo and buy a 800 sf condo, I sacrifice patio, garage, balcony, etc., for a small place in City. Im 55 years old and have at least 10 more years to work. I can't seem to make up my mind. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

you should move closer to work because it can save you time and money. You pay less gas and you might even have a chance to walk to your work if it is very close. I live in Burbank and just 5 miles away from my work. I think you should move close to work

Answer 2

A 800 sq ft condo in LA probably cost 5 times more in today than your 1500 Sq ft. If you have been commuted daily or the past 15 yrs, what is the different now for the next 10 yrs? LA is the worst place to settle in, an average of 2 million commuters back and forth on daily average not including all that car chasing around by LAPD. When you're retired, you want a quiet place with less moderate looks, convenients...all that extra money you've made from selling your current place might needed to put down for a new place anyway, plus relocations. Maybe you want to carpool with someone who live and work nearby, drive your car half way and meet them? or change the way you've been commute, Just be happy where you at now !

Answer 3

Picture yourself living in a much smaller space without the convenience of a garage and a patio. Do you need a garage? Do you enjoy your patio? Would you be comfortable and happy in the new place?

If you have family I would say do what you can to spend more time with them, i.e. move to the city or get a job closer to your current condo. If you're on your own, and don't really mind the drive (get XM or Sirrius radio) then stay where you're at and enjoy your 1500 sq. ft., garage, and patio. Get a grill if you don't have one and invite friends over for bbq...

I live near Chicago. I was only 15 min. from work and after I got married we moved further west so we could afford a new house with garage, yard, etc. But, I now drive 2 hrs/day.

You have to decide whether you value your space/convenience/location or your time.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

I would move somewhere closer where you can find the same living conditions and home size. Even if it only cuts off 45 mins from your trip. Remember, 10 years is a long time, and you'll probably decide to move a year or two down the line if not now, so you're only wasting time.

A move, even if it's close to your old home, is still a change of scenery, and will do you good. A 2 hour commute is a long drive, 4 hours in your car a day? I commute 1 hour each way a day, and it's perfect for me. It's perfect for blowing off stress, so when I get home im relaxed.

Also I wouldn't like to live close to my job, I would feel like I was in a rut.

Answer 5

Your commute, alone, is hours a day you will never be able to enjoy in the wonderful 1500sf condo. Would you be able to find a job closer to home and still afford it? It sounds like you love your home more than the drive to/from work.
I live in a place where I have no neighbors, a huge barn, 5 acres, no paved road (for 2.5 miles), only cows, and hawks and eagles and my husband and doggies. I am only 20 minutes from work. I live in North East Kansas. And, yes, we all have shoes! Maybe, make the big move, this is a great area to retire. We are only in our 30's but we plan on being here for good. Pretty cheap, too. Zip code: 66434

Answer 6

Driving such a commute each work day takes its toll on your

health weather you realize it or not. My brother has been doing

the same thing in Northern California for about the same amount

of time and, even though he has a commuter buddy to share the

driving during the week, you can tell it has taken its toll on him.


It will be worth it to sacrafice some space so as not to have to

spend so much time commuting most of each week. I think you

will feel better and perhaps be able to get better sleep if not just

more sleep. It's also safer, and you'll work more efficiently too.
_
_
_
_
_

Answer 7

You clearly don't want to give up what you have because you speak of "sacrificing" all that it has to offer. Your options are to forget about it and just carry on as you have for the past 15 years; get a job closer to home or is there a possibility of working sayyyyyy 10 hours a day but only four days a week????

Answer 8

Stress or Decompress ???? Are you kidding ??? Driving to and from LA and The Valley and you think you do anything but STRESS.......

But anyway..... Take that Condo put it on the maeket. Move up to Bakersfield and buy a Estate with the $$$. Bakersfield is a growing area and job growth is steady. You can still drive 2 hours to LA when needed and enjoy the shows, recreation.

Answer 9

do you really want to keep commuting as much now? thats really the question you need to ask yourself. if i were you later in life i would want to take things easier. to me, these extras seem life small sacrifices compared to an easier relaxed life you could have closer to work. im sure you could find somewhere that has a park close by or not so enclosed so you could have some open space. i would go for the move personally. good luck!!

Answer 10

I live only 12 minutes away from work. I used to commute to work (only 30 minutes each way) and I would never do that again even though I could save money living father away. I assume you already give 8 hours of your life to your work that you get paid for and 4 hours that are still work related that you dont.

Answer 11

In 15 years you surely could have found some kind of a job near where you live. You could even accept a job with less money, and still be ahead financially, and even health wise. Times are booming, and there are plenty of good jobs everywhere. You say: "I can't make up my mind". You had a good reason to make up your mind NOW, the sooner the better. Fifteen years of procrastination is enough!