A few years ago I accepted a job in downtown Chicago. To minimize my commute, and to buy me time to learn the city without having to make a big commitment upfro

A few years ago I accepted a job in downtown Chicago. To minimize my commute, and to buy me time to learn the city without having to make a big commitment upfront to a particular home or long-term lease, I got an apartment just a few blocks walking distance from my new job. I liked it enough that I stayed there for 3 years. About a year or so into it, my employer moved their offices to a new location that was closer to my apartment: literally across the street from my apartment building. Insane luck. It gave me so much more free time and reduced commute stress it was worth it. In my mid 20's I had a few jobs where my commute was 1-2 hours, one-way, twice daily, M-F. By my 30's, I vowed "never again". After leaving the Chicago job I reduced my daily required commute down even further: I do independent contracting and therefore can work in my home, or wherever my body+laptop happens to be at the time. Saves money, saves time, less pollution, less stress. No going back, baby.