Would you pay more rent to reduce commute?

Radiance · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:11 AM

I think I know the answer to this one but I a really bogged down by the perspective of having a longer commute in exchange of less rent.

If I rent where I live now (I am selling my home and going back to renting, long story) then it would be $1400 for a 3/2. There are no 1 bedrooms available for rent and I can not find any 2/2 for rent either.

If I increase my commute from 30 min to 1 hour I get a nice 1 bdr for $900.
This is an optimistic estimate, I have not tested the traffic from the neiborhood with 1bdr apartments for rent. It could be longer.

So, cost of living closer to work = $500 more in rent
Cost of moving to a cheaper appartment with double commute... this is tough to calculate:

Currently I spend $150 on gas, so let's say that increases by $100
Car maintenance? I will have to do oil changes and the such more often since I am adding good 17 miles one way. $30 extra a month for maintenance? (this contributes to maintenance schedule for the whole year, including the big ones.)
Potentially another toll, so this is other $35

This is 165 extra for the extended commute Vs $500 for additional rent...
Then you have the intangibles, or difficult to measure:

Additional stress for the extended driving, half of the trip with a toddler on the car.
Time, I would need to add 1 extra hour a day for commute.

Once I move out I really want to be on an aggresive debt extermination plan, if I move where is more convinient I will be 500-165 = 335 a month slower on my plan.

Anoter posibility is to rent on a rental community (numbers above are private rentals) That is a $900 for a very small 1 bdr, with tini-tiny washer dryer and carpet all over.

Maybe I will get used to the commute after a while? I just can not see it...arg

Feedback?

LivingAlmostLarge · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:20 AM

Why not room up with another single mom closer to work? Then using instead of paying $1400, it would be $700? Would that work?

MonkeyMama · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:44 AM

I'd vote for more rent. (Though I'd move to a rental community then).

Commuting expenses can get REALLY expensive (expenses are far more than gas). Plus the drain on your time, etc.

I have never had a longer than 10-minute commute. So I do speak how I truly feel (ever when the cost of the city was VERY high).

There were a lot of stories of people losing homes to foreclosures in the middle of nowhere, when gas prices went up last year or 2. They had decided to commute to save money, but didn't work out so well in the end.

If you drive twice as much, you have to replace your car twice as often, etc.

disneysteve · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:54 AM

To me, this is not a financial issue. It is a lifestyle issue. I would not move to where I'd have a 1-hour commute to and from work regardless of the savings. That means less family time, less relaxation, less time for cooking good meals, less time for shopping for bargains, etc.

I think there is a higher cost than just the difference in rent.

Radiance · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Why not room up with another single mom closer to work? Then using instead of paying $1400, it would be $700? Would that work?

I have been playing with the idea of a roommate for the longest time. I have several privacy issues, it is very difficult for me, I actually prefer the commute stress!

I took a friend in when she found herself in the street a few years ago and I didn't have problems even though she unvoluntary extended her stay to almost a year. But the lack of privacy was getting to me. I felt I was living on a dorm and not in my home.

I did live sharing apartment or even bedrooms all my college years, but I knew that was not exactly home, so I did ok.
I know it would be great to help anoter single mom but the emotional toll would not balance out.

Back to finances, I can not charge the other mom $700, I would be on the masters so it is customary to charge $500 instead. I would pay 900.

When I think about paying more rent, I fee I am being spoiled and not financially logical. Is a shorter commute a want or a need? I guess I feel guilty if I don't choose the most sacrificed option since I want out of debt.

Yet again, it might also have a toll on my health as I am not getting enough rest as it is...

See? I get back and forth. I just did more searches and they all point to 24-30 extra and 17-24 miles.

I think I might get myself on a rental, less value, but closer and cheaper.
Extra commute is 10 more minutes and about 15 miles. Traffic
After i am out of debt I could move again to a private rental....

wincrasher · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Well if you are going to consider that much more, I'd take a look at apts that are really close to work too - like so close you could walk and not use the car much.

As Steve said, it's a lifestyle issue. From your other posts you've indicated your desire to spend more time at home and with your son, so eating into that time will wear on you in short order.

As far as roommates go - it can be a good arrangement. But you need to pick someone in a better situation than yourself, not someone who's been tossed out. I can tell you've got a big heart, but you need to use your head when picking a roomate.

Radiance · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

From your other posts you've indicated your desire to spend more time at home and with your son, so eating into that time will wear on you in short order.

Wow, you know me so well now!
Yes, longer commute goes against that objective! Maybe that is why I was feeling so ichy about this.

You know what? I'll find other ways to cut down so I can afford to rent closer and still pay debt expeditiously.

As per room mate, you are right too, if I keep my eyes peeled maybe I can find the right match and make some arrangements so I can keep the level of privacy I need. No promises....

Steve, you are also correct, less time to cook it is not good for budget, I am struggling with that as it is (I did cook eggplant sticks last night which were a hit with my son!)

I love you guys!

PrincessPerky · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 01:37 PM

IMO..a commute is far bigger than money.

That is another hour away from your little one. an hour of time with my kid is worth quite a bit to me. Of course then right about now an hour away from all 4 is worth quite a bit too!

Anyway, sharing space is uncomfortable, but it would be temporary, and with the right match not as bad as it could be.

buildmybudget · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 04:17 PM

I have to agree with DisneySteve, time is my most valuable asset and the longer I spend driving the more frustrated I get! If it's really about cutting costs, is there nothing else you can do to free up some $$$?

am_vanquish · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 07:20 PM

My wife and I had this commute discussion HUNDREDS of times when we moved to Atlanta last year. We gave in and got an apartment only 3 miles from the office & it was definitely the right decision for us. I agree that it's a lifestyle decision. I personally just can't stand being in a car for an hour just to go 15-20 miles. I can't wait to have the same discussion when we decide to buy a house ... home prices in Buckhead are OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Joan.of.the.Arch · #11 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 07:42 AM

Some people seem to enjoy their long commutes. Some say it is the only alone time they get and that it allows them wind-down time coming home from work and gear-up time headed in. For me, I'd live where I would not have to drive so much even in the face of paying more rent.

am_vanquish · #12 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Some people seem to enjoy their long commutes. Some say it is the only alone time they get and that it allows them wind-down time coming home from work and gear-up time headed in. For me, I'd live where I would not have to drive so much even in the face of paying more rent.

My manager is that person. She drives 50 miles each way to/from work every day and has done it 5 days/wk for the past 17 years. However, it's got to reach a point where the maintenance costs become outrageous from driving too far. Apparently she goes through cars like a redneck goes through chewing tobacco.

mtsen · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 06:45 AM

as long as the 1st priority of renting a place is not jeopardize, its considerable to get the more expensive rent. However, if all you can think of is commute then I would say no. Certain things can be done during commute time, its a quiet time to think and plan for the day, at least for me it is. If I save those time by living nearer, it would most probably goes elsewhere like sleep a little longer, drink coffee in the office etc.

Radiance · #14 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Certain things can be done during commute time its a quiet time to think and plan for the day, at least for me it is.

I don't think this is th case for me...

I am not sure what can be done during a driving commute, other than listening to audio books? and with a toddler for passenger, not very effective.
Many floridians are not very nice driving, which makes my commute a little extra stressful. I drove in Colorado for a few weeks and that was very nice...but Florida, no offence to other floridians, but it is challenging, to say the least.

Many years ago I was able to commute on metrorail, that was so very nice! planning, balancing checkbook, reading. But if I have to drive I don't see that time as relaxing at all, it actually drains me phisically as well...

mtsen · #15 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 07:17 AM

You have your toddler with you when you drive to work ? Indeed not that productive then. And yes, I was more referring to public transport like you did before.

Well, if you have to move, you may as well focus on looking for more values on the higher rent.

davecc · #16 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 09:10 PM

I would, but I'm lucky enough to live 2 blocks away from work

bones72 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:43 AM

Ah small town living. I walk to work, walk home for lunch,etc.

fe2o3ez · #18 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 08:22 AM

Dont do it. I know it is tempting to live further out and that you would have lots of plans for the money. However, longer commutes get old and they get old in a HURRY.

The roommate is usually a good way to cut costs, but it doesn't sound like an option for you. I would move to the place that is a little less attractive (assuming it is safe) and set a goal for when you want to be out of debt and plan to move at that time.

I did this myself, a couple years ago, and it worked wonders. The little 500 sqft apt was pretty tiny, but when I really thought about it, i didn't need much more. Once I set my sights on a house and set some short and longer term goals on that, it became easier to tolerate.

Commutes dont work quite as well. I've seen several people in the past couple months leave our organization and move closer to their home, changing jobs and everything due to long commutes and volatile gas prices.