How long does it currently take you to get ready for work? And how much of that is your commute time? You be surprised at the hours you spend commuting back and forth to work each week. Oh…what you could do with that time if it wasn’t spent in transit.
Consider Commute Times Before Relocating to a New City
When looking for housing in a new city, one typically focuses on a property’s size, price, amenities, and neighborhood vibe. One thing that home buyers forget to factor in is commute times. Whether it’s a commute to a job or transporting kids to school, traffic congestion can eat up hours in a day. Consider those hours over a lifetime and it can add up to not only wasted time but also wasted money.
The average American will spend $108,727 on gas and vehicle maintenance costs associated with commuting, according to EducatedDriver.org’s research on nearly 100 major U.S. cities. Take a look at EducatedDriver.org’s maps (https://bit.ly/2C8qaga and https://bit.ly/2ruH6pj) to see how many hours – measured in dollars and total lost days — you may waste sitting in your car in traffic.
If you use public transportation, don’t disregard commute times. Public transportation isn’t immune to traffic congestion and time delays.
Columbus, Ohio may not have the traffic and public transit infrastructure like a large metropolis such as New York City, but considering your commute times when relocating is still a money saving decision. As you plan your relocation to Columbus, know that commute times here are below the average, but it’s still in your interest to research the best location for you:
- Consult your realtor about the neighborhoods that fit your criteria (e.g., school district, home sizes, etc.) within a 15-minute commute of your job. Start by looking for houses in this area. If you can’t find anything within that radius, look 30 minutes out and so on. If you have more than one person in your household that is commuting, consider neighborhoods between the locations.
- Consult Google maps. Route the commute times during rush hour (morning and afternoon) and see what kind of delays Google maps shows. This will give you an idea of what your typical commute will be.
- Consult co-workers. Ask your co-workers where they live and what their average commute times are.
Take the information you gather and consider what’s most important to you for the location of your new home. Short commute times can mean more time with loved ones and an opportunity to save money. But there may be other factors that outweigh commute times. Choose a home that’s right for you based on all of the information you gather.
