Think about what is around each of the houses too. If you'd end up driving to the 25m area to go to the 'better' grocery store, playground, target, etc. then you'll be spending more time in the car, just not during your commute.

We moved about 15m further out from my work, but had been going up to the new area for everythign anyway so I actually feel closer than before.

also, do you have day care? Where is it? Our new house is closer to day care, so my kids actually spend more time with me, than driving home after day care.


And, as another early morning commuter, the extra time probably doesn't matter in the morning. I already get in hours before my colleagues, and taking out 20m out of that just doesn't make a difference to my day, it hasn't mattered in the slighest

Anonymous wrote:15 minutes is not a lifetime to me and I am calm enough to handle that without freaking out every day.

Fair enough.

Most humans are not very good at predicting what makes them happy. There is actual scientific research being done on what contributes positively and negatively to happiness. The results are pretty clear-cut, but each his/her own.

Anonymous wrote:Is the 15 min the difference between Arlington & Falls Church? Or Fairfax & Manassas? If the former - I'd do it. If the latter, no way.

Is the 15 min the difference between a house that doesn't really meet your family's needs and one that does? Or the smaller house has enough "zones" or space for your family, just the bigger house would be more comfortable? If the former, then yes. If the latter, than no.

Is your commute already 1 hr - then I wouldn't add on 15 min. If it’s going from ½ hr to 45 min, I’d do it.

If the closer in neighborhood means always fighting for parking, or parking far away vs. the no parking issues at the farther out neighborhood – I’d take no parking issues.

Op, My commute now is 25 mins. The house that meet my price range within 25 mins are ok house to me, which I have a shelter, but not comfortably. We have one kid now, and not sure if we will have one more. I don't mind spending extra 15 mins on the road, but just want to be home and feel relaxing. I don't go outdoor much, so space is really my thing.

Your commute is your commute. Why are people drained/frustrated/pissed off that they sit in traffic for 15/30/45 minutes. Is this a surprise to you? Don't you face this same commute daily? should you be used to it by now? It's not like you didn't know you were going to be in traffic.

Anonymous wrote:It's 15 min now but what will it be in 5 years? Have you looked at area development plans? Downtown Bethesda, White Flint will all explode. Are you commuting near there? You should probably give us an idea of the towns / neighborhoods, OP.

Damascus, MD. I am working in Silver Spring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok here is some math

Average size of a house 2,306 SQRFT

The average population per household now stands at 2.55
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/demographics/american-households-are-getting-smaller-and-headed-by-older-adults-24981/

So to feel comfortable you need 2306/2.55 = 904 SQRFT per person.

So for a family of 4, ~3600 SQRFT etc...

That's the formula for most of America, maybe around here it's too expensive but it will be uncomfortable.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/real_estate/home-size/index.html

Oh, it's YOU again.

If you need 900 square feet PER PERSON, something is wrong with you and your family.

I am using math to explain what the average american family considers to be comfortable.

I don't know what you mean "it's YOU AGAIN".

Don't play dumb. The bolded above are dead giveaways....

If you take the average home size and divide by average family I just came up with that number this morning after doing some research.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok here is some math

Average size of a house 2,306 SQRFT

The average population per household now stands at 2.55
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/demographics/american-households-are-getting-smaller-and-headed-by-older-adults-24981/

So to feel comfortable you need 2306/2.55 = 904 SQRFT per person.

So for a family of 4, ~3600 SQRFT etc...

That's the formula for most of America, maybe around here it's too expensive but it will be uncomfortable.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/real_estate/home-size/index.html

Oh, it's YOU again.

If you need 900 square feet PER PERSON, something is wrong with you and your family.

I am using math to explain what the average american family considers to be comfortable.

I don't know what you mean "it's YOU AGAIN".

Don't play dumb. The bolded above are dead giveaways....

I love how some posters think an extra 15 minutes equates HOURS a day. Seriously...most of these neighborhoods right outside the beltway have side roads that can zip you in and out onto a main road...is there congestion sometimes...sure but not for HOURS making you want to pull your hair out.

If you live you life counting each minute you sit in the car for an extra 15/ 30 (both ways) minutes a day, then you obviously should be counting the time it takes you to stand in the grocery line when someone uses a check, or when you have to wait to pump gas, or for the person who sticks their hand in the elevator and holds it....thats insane.

15 minutes is not a lifetime to me and I am calm enough to handle that without freaking out every day.

Anonymous wrote:15-25 mon w traffic could be an extra hour and a half w traffic in the DC area. You get home and are totally shot, horrible from a quality of life perspective. I would easily give up space for a close in location so that my family could have more time together. Also much better real estate investment.

It has never taken me 1.5 hours to go what would normally take 15 minutes outside the beltway. On the other hand, it took me 1/2 hour to go 2 blocks in DC on multiple occasions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok here is some math

Average size of a house 2,306 SQRFT

The average population per household now stands at 2.55
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/demographics/american-households-are-getting-smaller-and-headed-by-older-adults-24981/

So to feel comfortable you need 2306/2.55 = 904 SQRFT per person.

So for a family of 4, ~3600 SQRFT etc...

That's the formula for most of America, maybe around here it's too expensive but it will be uncomfortable.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/real_estate/home-size/index.html

Oh, it's YOU again.

If you need 900 square feet PER PERSON, something is wrong with you and your family.

I am using math to explain what the average american family considers to be comfortable.

I don't know what you mean "it's YOU AGAIN".

No. We live in downtown DC. Work is a 15 minute walk. No way would I want to trade a 15 min walk for a 15-25 min drive. House size is fine, 3000 + sq ft for 3 people. Kid goes to a charter a 10 minute drive away - carpool.

15-25 mon w traffic could be an extra hour and a half w traffic in the DC area. You get home and are totally shot, horrible from a quality of life perspective. I would easily give up space for a close in location so that my family could have more time together. Also much better real estate investment.

Anonymous wrote:I did this and it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

Consider yourself fortunate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way. No house is worth making the commute 15 minutes longer. You pay the price everyday, in stress. Instead, improve the home you are in...

+1

No way.

+1- No way. We live in close-in Chevy Chase, MD and spent some time looking at houses in Bethesda and Potomac that are 15 min farther out. The houses were much bigger, and in some instances, nicer, but we decided quality of life was more important to us.

But it depends what quality of life is. A beautiful quiet home on a safe and wooded street improves our quality of life more than being closer in. Just depends what you want.

I did this and it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.