Choosing the Right Neighborhood Tip #4 - Commuting to Work

Everyone knows that traffic in the Valley can be a nightmare at times.  And with the price of gas almost $4 per gallon it makes sense to choose a neighborhood close to your work and places you frequent often.  The other important consideration is the value of your time; after all every minute you spend in traffic is one less minute you have to spend with your family. 

Here are some tips to help you determine if the neighborhood you are considering will fit your lifestyle and the way you move around the valley.

• Use Google Maps or one of the other online mapping websites to check the distance and drive times from your perspective new home to work, family, church, and other places you will frequent after you move.
• Consider doing a test run to get a feel for traffic conditions in the area.  Try to do it during the same time you would normally being driving to work in the morning and evening, that way you’ll get a feel for the real traffic conditions you will encounter once you begin commuting from your new home.
• Look into the public tranportation available in the area.  Phoenix’s bus system, Valley Metro, has routes all over the valley and soon light rail will be available as well.
• Find out if any of your co-workers live in the area.  If so, there may be a possibility they will be willing to carpool with you, or they may be able to give you some insight into the best routes and times to travel.
• Is the home close to your favorite restaurants, places to shop, and entertainment spots.  Think about the places you visit frequently and check the drive time it will take to get there from your new home.
• Consider how far, or in some cases how close, family and friends will be from your new home?  If you visit loved ones frequently, more than a few extra miles of distance can add up to big dent in your wallet.

Think of it this way:

20 extra miles of driving per day over 5 days a week equals 100 miles per week.  If your car gets 20 miles per gallon that translates into 5 extra gallons per week.  5 extra gallons per week times 4 weeks per month equals 20 extra gallons per month.  20 extra gallons per month times $3.60 per gallon equals $72 per month spent on gas to cover the extra distance commuting to work. 

That $72 per month would probably be better in your pocket than the gas companies or even applied to your mortgage payment, possibly even allowing you to afford a higher mortgage payment.

Pretty common sense stuff but often over looked.