How Long is My Commute?! How to Calculate Commute During the Home Buying Process

How Long is My Commute?

First, to understand how your commute might affect where you choose to live, you have to know how long your commute is to different parts of town. Using things like Google Maps, you can get a rough estimate of how long it might take you to get to the office and back during rush hour. It can also help you determine alternate routes when you are trying to avoid an accident or road closure.

How Flexible is Your Job?

When factoring your commute into your home buying decision, you should also take into account how flexible your job is. If you have rigid 9-5 hours, you need to remember that you are always going to be commuting during rush hour.

If your job allows you to off-shift or work from home certain days of the week, you might be able to accept a longer distance commute because you are either doing the commute less often, or you can commute during off hours.

Weighing Public Transit Options

If you live near public transit, this can be another factor when it comes to calculating your commute. Is it faster to take the train or metro to work, or more efficient because you can get work done during your ride? Does it make sense to buy a bike and bus closer to your destination, or do you have to drive to and from the office every day?

Weighing Commute Time and Other Factors

Some people are willing to tolerate a longer commute because other factors are more important to them. If someone loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker on the weekends, they might want to live closer to the mountains for their outdoor lifestyle and deal with a long commute because of it.

Oftentimes, people can get more bang for their buck further from metropolitan areas where many offices are. If you have kids and pets, you might sacrifice your commute time to afford a larger house with a yard.

Conclusion

Overall, when it comes to factoring your commute time into buying a house, you need to weigh several things. First, think about how flexible your job is and if you have to commute during rush hour every day. Second, consider if there are any public transit options for your commute. Third, think about what is most important to your lifestyle and if you are willing to have a longer commute for the home of your dreams.