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[polly_mer]

For the last three years, I have rented two houses a hundred miles apart to deal with the fact that my time is split between two places.  I found the minimum 1.5 to 2 hour commute each way to be too much when we only had one residence.  Throwing in the frequent 6 hour trip because the highway was closed meant that I was averaging close to 30 hours a week in the car.

The two house deal has worked well, other than the occasional "Fine, I'll make this short-notice trip.  However, I am at the other house and it will take me two hours to get there."

[nothuntingnow]

I used to be 5 minutes walk away - I prefer being further away, because I don't want to be too close to the students, and I don't want to bump into other faculty outside of times I'm on campus.  I also find the some physical separation helps the psychological separation.

You make a good point, but I am really enjoying this, my first semester within walking distance of where I work.  I eat lunch at home every day, with a few rare exceptions.  I'm pregnant and really appreciate being so close to home to be able to put my feet up or lie down for 45 minutes or an hour.  If I had a longer commute, even 10 or 15 minutes one way, which isn't long, I wouldn't be able to do this as often.

[fishfolk]

Currently I have a 30 minute commute by bicycle, though if I chose to go directly and not ride with the children, I could do it in 10-15 minutes.  If the weather is atrocious, I can take a train and get to work in 6 minutes, door-to-door.

I agree with one observation that when you have "no" commute, the thought of spending a lengthy amount of time in a car makes one think their QOL will go down dramatically.

I am considering being on the market again and the thought of a long commute really has me thinking twice.

And for what it's worth, in grad school I commuted 45 minutes by car each way and though the fall colors were beautiful and it was all highway driving and I listened to NPR each way ... I don't think it would improve my QOL at this point when I have young children.

[larryc]

You were a VAP and you bought a house?!!

I guess it depends on how often you have to be on campus and if you have kids. I might take the job if I could limit campus days to 3 a week.

I commute 14 miles along bucolic country roads.

[plantscience]

My spouse already has a good job in the area, so we aren't moving.

You were a VAP and you bought a house?!!

I guess it depends on how often you have to be on campus and if you have kids. I might take the job if I could limit campus days to 3 a week.

I commute 14 miles along bucolic country roads.