The perfect property vs. commute

Fortunately, we found a property only 15km/20min from Aschaffenburg. Idyllically located in a village with 500 inhabitants. Even by bike only 9km (but 200m elevation) to work. I would never want to move any further away. Life is simply too precious for that. And if we both lost 1 hour more every day commuting, calculated as lost wages, plus travel costs. Then that is easily €10,000 per year loss.. Hypothetically.

My opinion: If you can afford it, it’s better to live closer to your workplace, even if you have to search longer and build smaller for it. The quality of life can’t be so much better that it justifies the stress of a long commute. Better to go away and relax more often instead.

But everyone has different priorities.

If you can afford it, it’s better to live closer to your workplace, even if you have to search longer and build smaller for that. The quality of life can’t be so much better that it justifies the stress of a long commute.

I see that a little differently. Very few people will probably build in a place that is hundreds of kilometers away from their workplace. But whether I drive 5 km further or not is not that decisive for me personally (and yes, I also have to keep an eye on the time with 2 small children). What use is a house near my workplace if I don’t feel comfortable there? In the end, though, that is indeed very individual.

Besides the feel-good factor (the most important!), what was especially decisive for us were:
shopping facilities within walking distance or reachable by bike (I myself am originally a city kid and don’t know it any other way, I personally don’t want to have to get in the car for every roll), basic childcare facilities in the village (crèche, daycare, primary school), basic medical care in the village, good connections (highway, city), so that we can get to the city center faster than some city dwellers.

But everyone has different priorities.

There’s really nothing to add to that.

Exactly. And your list matches ours. I also get to the workplace faster after the move than before, even though I am moving out of Cologne.

Good, now I wasn’t thinking of +/- 5km, but more city/suburbs vs. next town. Like in the survey (20km or 50km)

There are now shopping options in almost every town. Even if it’s a corner shop or gas station.

- Infrastructure (shopping, children's hobbies, school, etc.) ideally within walking distance (up to 1.5 km); goal: avoid a second car if possible. Short distances, especially for children
- good connection to public transportation: for us S-Bahn within 7 minutes walking distance
- not only the transportation connection to the current job is important, but also good connections in case of job change (highway, S-Bahn, airport). Who works for the same employer for 25-30 years?

- last but not least: The area/ the district also has to be appealing.....