The Commute

I am one of the thousands of people who has a long commute every day. The trip can range anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours (each way) depending on the traffic.

Is it healthy to do this?

I doubt it.

Will it lead to an early grave?

Perhaps.

So why in the heck do I do it?

To pay my mortgage, bills, and provide a better overall standard of living for my family.

Let's face it people, home prices in metropolitan areas are astronomical, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area (my former stomping grounds). Sure, I would love to live in the area, but I would be paying top dollar to rent a smaller place in a so-so neighborhood. Instead, I subject myself to hours of driving in order to pay my mortgage and so that my wife and kids can have a decent place to call their own. To me, it's worth it and I typically don't complain about it unless there's an accident on the road that turns a 1.5 hour trip into a 3 hour nightmare. If I become aware of the accident before I'm half way to work, I can turn the car around and fire up the laptop from home...but if I've reached the half way mark, I grit my teeth and ride it out.

I fought the move for years. In fact, I used to make fun of my colleagues who moved out to the "boondocks" while working in Silicon Valley. I used to crack jokes about cows, pastures, and country music. But that stopped when I saw property prices in the Bay Area reach ridiculous levels. There was no way I was going to buy a 1200 square foot older home for half a million dollars. It just seemed plain stupid. Yes, the area is chock-full of entertainment options. Yes, there's a buhzillion restaurant choices, and yes, there are waaay more choices for cultural enrichment...but half a million for a crackerjack box type place??? Stupid. At least for me.

So in 2003, I joined the masses who looked to the boondocks as a chance to fulfill their American dream. You know, the one of the house with the white picket fence and 1.3 pets. I pulled the trigger and jumped on the boat before it sailed away.

Forward to early 2005. My house had gone up over $200k in value. Yes, I know, ridiculous...but it was nice to see houses being put on the market and selling quickly. It made me feel good about my choice to buy a house. It made the drive a whole heckuva lot more pleasant.

Forward to mid 2008. Mortgage/Credit crunch in full effect. The $200k added value? Bye bye. In fact, it's now worth less than what I owe on it. I've never been great with money, but the one time I thought I made a good investment...oh well, I count my blessings--I still have a place to live, and of course, my greatest treasure: my family. They are worth every mile and more.

Peep this:




You can also view it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88VT-so36zA