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Don’t have the reference, but I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute, i.e. in cities across the world

Don’t have the reference, but I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute, i.e. in cities across the world people who commute longest are least happy. I’ve done commutes ranging from 10 minutes walk to 90 minutes by bus, with lots in between, and strongly recommend that minimising your commute should be a top priority. There’s no point living in a nice place if you don’t see it five days out of seven. Live somewhere convenient and “commute to the country” on the weekend. You can’t get that time back.

galfarragem 9y ago
> "I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute" 1000x this. I've done commutes ranging from 0 to 4,5h daily and I can even affirm that commute discomfort is exponential: a 4,5h commute is way more painful than a 3h commute. I would also add that the sweet spot, IMO, is not zero but around 20 minutes of daily (walking/biking) commute. > "Live somewhere convenient and “commute to the country” on the weekend." Once again, 1000x this.
erikb 9y ago
It's an important factor, but other factors also come into play. For instance train is way, way more relaxing than any road based commute. And if you struggle to make it to the end of the month because of too high rent, then you are unhappy as well.
syshum 9y ago
>>There’s no point living in a nice place if you don’t see it five days out of seven The point would be your family see's it even if you do not... >Live somewhere convenient and “commute to the country” on the weekend. You act as if people choose to live in the country for ascetics, not economic reasons... Some do, I did at one time, but this article is about people moving to where they can afford to live, and I dont thing they are talking about home in the country side with a stream and woods....
jhiska 9y ago
>I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute. The unemployed must be immeasurably happy.
jbergens 9y ago
The problem is affording a central living in a crowded city. And it actually almost don't matter what salary you have, if everybody tried to live near the city centre those prices would go up until only a few select could afford them.

galfarragem 9y ago

> "I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute" 1000x this. I've done commutes ranging from 0 to 4,5h daily and I can even affirm that commute discomfort is exponential: a 4,5h commute is way more painful than a 3h commute. I would also add that the sweet spot, IMO, is not zero but around 20 minutes of daily (walking/biking) commute. > "Live somewhere convenient and “commute to the country” on the weekend." Once again, 1000x this.

erikb 9y ago

It's an important factor, but other factors also come into play. For instance train is way, way more relaxing than any road based commute. And if you struggle to make it to the end of the month because of too high rent, then you are unhappy as well.

syshum 9y ago

>>There’s no point living in a nice place if you don’t see it five days out of seven The point would be your family see's it even if you do not... >Live somewhere convenient and “commute to the country” on the weekend. You act as if people choose to live in the country for ascetics, not economic reasons... Some do, I did at one time, but this article is about people moving to where they can afford to live, and I dont thing they are talking about home in the country side with a stream and woods....

jhiska 9y ago

>I believe that one of the most universal determinants of happiness is the length of your commute. The unemployed must be immeasurably happy.

jbergens 9y ago

The problem is affording a central living in a crowded city. And it actually almost don't matter what salary you have, if everybody tried to live near the city centre those prices would go up until only a few select could afford them.