Living where you love or where it makes sense?

20 miles can vary tremendously depending on traffic etc. How long will your commute be?

To me, 20 miles shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Should be about 35 minutes in the morning (we leave really early), and more likely to be an hour on the way home. It'd only be on the interstate for maybe one exit. The rest is either medium highway, and some backroad driving (easy!), both on winding roads in rolling hills. So that part might even be a benefit? See, I keep talking myself into it.?

I think if the quality of life where your home is really is outstanding, then 20 miles and 1 hour max wouldn't be bad. You'll get used to it and the physical and environmental distance from work can actually be beneficial.

At one time, I lived 35 miles from work. The difference from working in the city and being at home in "the country" was huge. I loved the separation, however, would NEVER do it again!

Another thing to consider is having a partner, spouse or family at home makes a big difference. I was single and younger and living so far from work cramped my style.

It might be worth doing a test drive of the drive.

As you age you're probably going to hate that drive. Also, consider increases in fuel, repairs and insurance. Can you afford an extra $400 per month? If so, go for it.

Rob, everyone is different in their tolerance to a long daily commute. I had a long drive for much of my professional life and didn't mind it one bit, and for the reasons you've mentioned....it was a relaxing, pretty, calming drive.

I used to love listening to the morning radio banter in the wee hours, and always raring to jump into my daily activities once I got to work. My drive home was always relaxing, and I had my beach home waiting for me at the end of the drive.

Ah, yes, a good morning talk radio show really helps!

y'all are enablers!

;)

I tend to be of the mindset that a drive is what you make of it, the glass can be half full or half empty. Like others have said, it can be good "me time" to wind down. I've lived 5 minutes from work before and it was nice, but to be honest, I missed that me time to sort through my thoughts without any one around. Besides, depending on what you do, jobs can come and go, and be easy to change. On the other hand, finding a home that you can say you love, in a location you love, at a price point that works is beating the odds and that would be my first priority especially in a tight market. You know what they say, location location location.

What is the drive going to be like in the winter? That's a biggie for me where I live, in the winter back road commutes aren't the best because county dosent hit all of the roads to clear them. It can get pretty knarly at times in snow and ice, interstates are usually the first cleaned up then highways. That's what I would take into consideration. The car that is awesome on gas doesn't do so well in snow even with fwd

I commuted as well 1 hour each way 2-lane highways. Not expressways/interstate. I enjoyed it, and the timing was such that I avoided the school buses. Left at 6am and got home at 6pm. It made for a short evening though. It was a standard joke that I'd make it in to work through snow, yet people that lived in the city would call in to say they couldn't make it. I only missed work a few times because of weather. You obviously won't have that problem! :-)

Is your work something you can do from home and work out a schedule with your company where you work at home two or three days a week and in office the other days?

I had to smile: "jobs can come and go, and be easy to change" Not for me! I've had two my entire 30 years of working, but then, I'm unusual. I was old enough to hate commuting 10 years ago.

Weather shouldn't be totally problematic. We have snow only days of winter. But I would not be able to make it in on those days like past years. I have thought of this, and it's one of my worries along with time on the road, more gas and car repairs. Actually, I'm not sure I don't worry about weather and cars, even if still living close to work? I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but car worries are real to me. I have very old cars that I like, and I am really able to ride the bus now should anything happen to them both. This will change whether I am close or far. I also can't afford a new car, but, the likelihood I'll have to have one in the next few years is a reality I keep thinking I can ignore. I can't. I do think the time to figure out what to do about the cars would get here a lot sooner if I move that far away.

I absolutely cannot work from home. I wish! Never gonna work that way. I'm a research administrator at a teaching hospital. Attached to a working wet bench lab

;)

Using the expressway, it took me 90 minutes to and from one job. It was a great job and enjoyed it. The supervisor was a jerk. No biggie when we parted ways (his idea). I listened to books while driving. I 'read' Moby Dick that way!

Just for the heck of it, are there any other waterways closer to your work place? Have your Realtor help you on that!

If this is the house you'll be living in for the next 30 years....then YES! Buy it! It's quality of life....this house is your future!

I can live on the water where I live, where I've searched, and 25 miles southeast of here. I don't want to live southeast, I can't live where I am, and that leaves, my newly searched (and found?) home, but it was a good thought Jim!

I can't say I'd stay thirty years, but I sure could say at least 10 or 15 years. I think I'll probably want to move close to the city when I need to quit driving. That's still a lot of time in a great home. And I could change my mind?

Commuting is a pain. Did it for a very long time....the cost of fuel, car maintenance and higher insurance premiums is just one thing to consider. The stress from driving with all those people can make for a crabby person....but I digress. The train was a much better method of commuting but it was still 3+ hours daily. I could have done a lot of things with the time I spent commuting.

There is a real cost of commuting; your time. How important is 2-3 hours of your day? Do you want to spend it in the car battling with other people? You know there are people on the road who HAVE TO BE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW....because their time is more important than yours and they must be first.

Having a serene, comfortable home to decompress may help but commuting will change things. If you've already done it in the past, remember how you felt and think if you want to have those feelings again. Would the new house make those feelings go away quickly???

10 - 15 years is not a long time in a house. Might be wiser to buy something in the for your home, and rent places on the water periodically for getaways.

I think the drive would be different this time. With almost no interstate driving, that makes it really different. My current drive is 15 minutes or so, so what's another 20 in the morning? Which leaves the afternoon. So it's only sorta irritating. Maybe. The drive for a lot of the way.

I don't see myself anywhere for 30 years. I have no delusions about how much can change in 10 or 15 years. I think that's too much to think about for most anyone if they really thought about where they'd be in 30 years. Unless I was 20 or so. Which I am not! ;)

I hear you about feeling comfortable in the neighborhood around this house. Is there another nice neighborhood much closer to work?

I wouldn't be too influenced by the view, but the neighborhood -- and the house itself -- are different. My late MIL had a nice, new apartment where visitors exclaimed about her views. She quickly forgot the views and lamented the tiny kitchen; you live *inside*.

Would your DS have to change schools? When does he start college, and could he commute to any from *some* location? What are the pro's and con's of this location for him?

My DH commuted 16 miles daily for decades: Car, Train, Bus, Office. It was an hour door to door, with the bulk of it on the RR. He only missed work if he couldn't drive three miles to the RR station. One neighbor got up at 4 a.m. to beat the traffic into the city. He not only lost time commuting, but lost family time in the evenings due to that early wake-up. Even that early, it was still a 30-minute drive. (It Gets Old.)

It is a totally amazingly wonderful neighborhood. Nothing like this where I live. It's a community that is really far more involved than the smaller, more apathetic areas around here. The friend that sent me over there, tells me her other friend who already lives there is a cast member on the show Nashville, if that tells you anything. She can afford closer in, and still chose it? That made me feel even better about it.

No changing schools. He attends a magnet in Nashville, and although this is the far outer reaches, it still qualifies as Nashville (really it's metro, so that's the only way how!). He won't commute for university in another two+ years. I wish!!! I wish he'd stay in state, but I really doubt he will. For him driving, the only time he'll have to drive himself to/from school, is during marching band season (three months or so). A non-issue, I think? We'll still ride to/from together other times. I already drop him at the corner of my office and he rides downtown where he hops a bus to school. Reverse coming home. It'll be the same as now, except longer distances.

Now that I've talked it all the way through with y'all I felt comfortable enough to sign the offer. Off to the seller! Cross your fingers, toes, hair, legs, arms, whatever you have, for me ;)

How exciting! Enjoy your new home and life.

It sounds to me like you really want it and actually have very little doubt. Good luck with the offer! Hope it's accepted.

OUTSTANDING! I'll be all twisted up in a pretzel over here hoping for an acceptance of your offer!!!

It sounds like a great location. However, one thing I did not read is the projected traffic. When we first moved here, we lived in a city that was built out and the traffic flowed smoothly. We lived in that house for fifteen years. Half way through the stay, the city next to ours had a building boom. All of that neighboring traffic went through our city to reach the freeway. And the freeways reached a new level of congestion. If the Nashville area has a housing shortage, as can be seen from how quickly the houses sell there, it could be a serious mistake to just consider the current traffic load. Don't underestimate how quickly driving times can change for the worse!

Good point, but the area can only be reached via one bridge or by going all the way around on the south side of the area. I think, it'll be ok.

Traffic is so tough in Nashville right now, it's one of about three areas that keep showing up in our mayoral race debates going on. Where I rent currently has larger upscale homes, and I would think they'd be above it. Nope. They built a small apartment complex on one of those lots, plus, and this one is a huge irritant for me, two homes on the same lot (one in the backyard of the other) practically next door. As if there weren't enough cars in our neighborhood!!!

I'll be far enough out, no one will want to come through there. But it was a great point.

Good luck on the house!

Our 'starter' house wasn't far from an expressway. As the area boomed, though, that road got widened and raised, O'Hare grew. We lost our quiet back yard, and I couldn't have the bedroom windows open at night for the boom from the expressway.

After DH retired, I wanted OUT of that traffic. I drove north, keeping close to Lake Michigan. I'd stop, roll down the car windows, and listen for air traffic. We ended up twice as far from Chicago. One of the deciding factors was the feeling I got from people about town -- similar to what you said about people around this house. It sounds so elitist, but they felt like 'my kind'.

Consider, too, if it's such a great community to live in, that there may be others commuting and you might find a ride-share. That takes some of the pressure off, expenses, wear and tear on your car, etc. Plus, you can read or do other things when you're not the one driving.

Good luck..I hope it works out. It sounds like a lovely community.

Commuting is such a personal thing. . One coworker had a 15 min commute but no longer liked her neighborhood and now has close to an hour each way but loves her house and the area and would never move back down here closer to work. Another coworker retired early because she was sick and tired of the hour or more commute each way on the interstate.

You won't know until you try it again and it sounds like you'll regret passing this house by. Worst case scenario you end up loathing the commute and move closer in in a few years, but it sounds like the great community will outweigh the commute.

I agree with Joanie. At first I was going to say to wait. You are not unhappy with where you live now, but just have a yearning for something better. It sounds like you want to make friends and be connected to your neighborhood. This seems like the place.

And, maybe as olychick has mentioned, you might be able to find someone who can share the driving. Not sure if this makes sense though unless you are going to the same office building.

It's no yearning. I was slapped with a fifteen percent rent increase. I have been biding my time to buy again until i rebuilt credit and have. Propelled to buy is better stated. Just a year early.

And i am a new home owner barring any inspection issues! They accepted.

Living on the water is amazing - if you can stand the commute and can afford it - go for it - you won't regret it.

Congratulations!!!

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!

Congratulations! I'm sure the inspection will go well! It also sounds like a home that will hold it's value!

Well, congrats to you!!! I'm glad I gave you a laugh, to only have 2 jobs is unusual but I get it and it's completely understandable. All the variables will work themselves out, I'm really excited for you!!

Holy Cr** - that was fast. Well, congratulations.

When we bought our house I made the move - I moved across "the bridge" to the suburb where my DH was raised. The first weekend that we were in our house my DH went out of town. Monday morning I was going to take the bus to work but then a wildcat bus strike was called so I had to drive, by myself, downtown on unfamiliar roads. All these cars in line with me kept peeling off and I just knew that they knew the shortcuts, the backroads and I didn't know any of it. Took me hours to get to work. But I did grow to love the neighbourhood.

We have since moved into an area that increased my DH's commute by about 15 minutes but like you, we drove into this particular neighbourhood and just fell in love with it. Neighbours out walking, kids playing, etc.

I say go for it for the reasons others who support the move already gave.

Since I have lived in the suburbs my entire life I don't even think of 20 miles as a "commute". My own father drove that far in the 1950's to get to work. Now I have in-laws that live 100 plus miles away from their jobs that they drive every day. That's a commute!

Meant to be!

Wonderful! Don't be late for the home inspection. Don't be too polite to ask until you get answers you understand. Any handymen in your family who could go with you?

Here's a similar thread from the Buying/Selling Homes forum that may provide additional perspective: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3237755/buying-house-1-hour-from-city-where-i-work-is-that-a-good-idea?n=32

The more I read, the more my head said "Do it"! Living in an area/neighborhood you love will make it so much more enjoyable to go home each day. I found my 40 minute commute on a 2-lane highway was a good time to think (or not), listen to radio, etc.

Pictures?

They will not do it justice. They're the pictures taken to put on selling sites. It was built in 1926, but what I love is, they left as much original as they could.

The garage. Still has all the original wood, except they added the shakes and replaced what you see that is new. You step inside and smell maple wood. It's really cool.

It may or may not have been necessary, but no point in totally roughing it! Nice new kitchen.

And they posted this to get people to understand. Not all that great, so I'll post mine some other time that is better.

It looks just wonderful, Rob. You must be so excited.

Extremely! All week last week, up to today I wake up and say, what am I doing/did I do?! And then I say, oh, yeah! A cool house in a great place. Ah. Then I exhale. It's stressful buying a house, even if it is exciting?

The house has great "bones" and charm! I'd be picking out cafe curtains for that kitchen!

Oh I can see why you fell in love, it's so charming. Love the fireplace and dark wood floors. And surely you'll have fun making it your own. Try not to stress, it will be fine. Here's hoping the inspection goes well, but hey, if you have questions, you know you have lots of friends here for support. Right? :c)

You are too kind lukkiirish! Yes, I know I have friends here. Ones who will help, support, and even straighten me out from time to time.

:)

I think you're making a great move. Get yourself satellite radio and catch up on the news or sing along to your favorite music during your commute. Twenty miles is not that many.

It looks like such a relaxing home and the trees all around adds to its charm.. Oh and the water view, so nice.

Wonderful house and views, congrats to you and your son!! I am very excited for you!

When DH and I were looking for a house years ago one Realtor said, "I know what you want. You want a *Sweet* house." Looks like you found one here! Looking forward to hearing more about it.

Love, love the windows and the kitchen!!!! You'll have it cozy, inviting and homey in no time!!! Is it 2 bedrooms? I can see flowerbeds like Gazania has!!! LOL 2 big Adirondeck chairs facing the water, sigh......

It is a master bedroom, an office that will be a bedroom despite it's lack of closets?, and where I think I will banish my son, the entire top floor. Every wall is yellow. I love a cheery yellow, but methinks I shall paint it another color or two ;)

My comment was going to be regarding living so close to the river as to flooding but don't know if that is a factor there. It was in MN where I lived on 2 different rivers and we were flooded out at times. One time I had 3 foot of river in my basement and the other time half the farm was under water.

Looks like a lovely older home. Congrats!

It's on a bluff overlooking the river. I can't see any way it'd flood? I actually ended up renting when I lost my last home in a flood. So I have that worry all the time anyhow! And come to think of it, my current home has been flooded. Man, I will be glad to be looking at water and not be IN the water. There is a sizeable dropoff. When I take pictures, I'll show you how it goes straight down. This is from Google.

This will make a very nice comfortable home for you....and the view is wonderful....be happy!

Since it was built back when people had common sense, I think you will be fine. My last house was on a wild river and was built high up the hill in the 1890's. Loved the house but lost all the pasture land when it flooded.

You have a magnificent view there!

Funny, I lived on a river once and was flooded with 7 ft of water in our house. Not a good trend, but hey, somethings are just worth the risk. Awe, it's a bungalow I didn't notice and thought it was a single story, very cool, is there a basement too? The floor floor plan seems really open. So when is the inspection?

There is a full basement. Inspection is next Tuesday.

:)

Rob I was going to ask you if there is a basement, but I thought for sure there wouldn't be. I'm glad that there is.

Yeah, that's why I say the pictures don't do it justice jasdip. It's not a tiny house. Not a monster, but not tiny. You can stand in the basement. When I say full, that sounded like finished, but it isn't. Just big! Lots of storage.

You see the tiny white car in the picture, on the lefthand side? That's right about where my house is. As you can see, even from far up, going down the white stairs to dock which is on the river alone is about thirty feet. Plus another 40 or so feet straight up to that grove of trees? No way the river is coming up to the house. After the great flood of 2010, everyone has a good idea of what does flood. It's not on the FEMA map. It does not have to have flood insurance. And they didn't disclose it flooded. I really really really truly doubt it can flood, since it obviously didn't flood then. Everything flooded in 2010! I lived across the street from the above linked building. Gosh what an ugly picture of the area. Must've been spring before anything was blooming.

closer look at the stairs. I'd hate to walk those!

That's what I love about bungalows, their basements are full size. You have got Lots and lots of potential!!! I love your house. :D I wouldn't rush into finishing the basement until you figure out what you need. I didn't think homes in the south had basements.

Sometimes we can and sometimes we can't. Where I lived in Shelbyville, it was literally solid rock under our house. Truly. Could not dig a hole deeper than about three feet. Limestone! Looks pretty in construction sucks when building on it

;)

The basement is your icing on the cake. Ours is partially finished with a couple of rooms but storage space as well, love it. And once you have one it's hard to ever turn back; the only problem when using them for storage is anything that goes down, will eventually have to come up, something DH didn't consider when he saved everything (to the level of hoarding) while we were DIYing. grrrr...

Congratulations, Rob! I say "Wow!" too on the speed of acceptance. Around here, that's unheard of and when I read the first part of the thread in bits and pieces yesterday, I felt anxious for you in taking time to think about whether you wanted to put a bid in or not. :) I'm so glad it worked out for you and know you and your son will be very happy there.

You have to think how long will you be in the house every day to enjoy it, how about weekends?

We have neigbhourhoods where parents worked to pay for these houses and there was no one in them all week or weekends as they were out and about.

And I went what is the point of that, your home should be where you come home and enjoy, re-energize and spend time inside and outside.

But if all you do is commuting, that is it worth it? And no time on weekends either?

Plus do you get winter driving, how about highways,etc. accidents, I hear of them and hours they are waiting to get through them, are you prepared for all that? And what about gas consummagation? Wear and tear on vehicle, how good is your, how comfortable is it, does it drive well in winter if you get snow?

And how about summer hot days, good air conditioning in it?

kathy

What a lovely location and a cute house. I understand the charm of its age. Our son just bought their first house, which was built in 1930. It has lots of the original charm, something they were looking for in their first house. So cute.