I guess, but these are all just statements about the way things are. You could also say "Sure, if you'll compensate me for my time and subsidize a means to get

I guess, but these are all just statements about the way things are. You could also say "Sure, if you'll compensate me for my time and subsidize a means to get there, or increase my salary by such an amount that I'm able to live within 10 minutes walking distance and net the same" and they have the right to turn you down. If my employer required me to move to the city the company is mainly based out of, I'd ask for visa support and moving expenses, and if the living expenses were higher, a compensatory increase. If the terms aren't reasonable, then ya they can get fucked. Upon hire though, yes that's part of the negotiation I suppose. If what they're offering to pay is only persuasive if you had no or a free commute, then you should ask for sufficiently more to make it worthwhile.