Do the long commutes in your city make you want to move to a smaller city?

[texasdiver]

Used to live in China Spring, a far flung suburb to the northwest of Waco and both my wife and I had a 25+ minute commute to work in south Waco. When gas reached close to $5 a gallon in 2008 we sold our house and bought in a subdivision in Woodway close to everything. Now my wife and I both have 5-8 minute commutes to work and I can ride my bike if I want. We have a big HEB and a big Wal-Mart within walking distance and dozens of restaurants and other shops. Our kids schools are all less than a mile away and would be walking distance were it not for an expressway and train tracks that blocks easy pedestrian access

We live in a nice neighborhood and the only real difference from the old place is that our lot is smaller. My kids ride the bus to school so mornings are easy. I put them on the bus at 7:15 and am at work by 7:25. On the way home it takes me no more than 20 minutes to pick up kids at 2 different schools and get home. And then all their sports (soccer and swimming) are no more than 5 minutes away so no more spending hours in the car driving my kids about. I figure living close like we do now has given me an additional 1.5 hours of free time every day. Which I use for working out and relaxing with my kids. Two things I didn't used to do enough of.

You couldn't pay me enough to go back to the car-centric commuting lifestyle.

[desert sun]

I recently moved to San Marcos, just to try something new, I work on the outskirts of San Antonio, about a 40min. drive. I wanted to be close to a city but in a smaller town, I didnt have any expectations and I dont plan on staying too long, I like to explore new areas. This place is a little too busy for me and my g/f, it appears than San Marcos is growing really fast, as is the whole area from SA to Austin. I really love the older areas of San Marcos, but I dont like the interstate coming through, that is the only thing I dont like. I think its very pretty by the university and the river though.

We will probably settle into the Amarillo or Lubbock area for good sometime in the next couple of years, I want to move to other places in other states but the TX panhandle is where we will probably call home for good. I really like the feel of the towns and cities in the panhandle, its seems they still retain alot of TX culture,small town character and values.

[Lucidus]

I am getting sick and tired of the commute in Mentone, just last week I was pretty sure that I could see another car off in distance while I drove to work (it could have a been a mirage). I am definitely going to move to a smaller city, as soon as I can find one.

[txtoal]

Yes, we moved out of the Metromess to be closer to spouses job. Nothing better than having a 3 minute commute to work and no traffic and the stress we use to experience is pretty much nonexistant now.

[verybadgnome]

I think Texans in general have a pretty high tolerance for commuting long distances and driving in general.

[Reivax]

I live maybe 25-28 miles from my office. It rarely takes longer than 30 minutes. My wife and I carpool, her office is about halfway, So I get to spend 15-20 minutes in morning drinking coffee and talking with her, then spend the next 15 minutes cranking the music loud. It is not that long of a drive, and traffic is always moving going west in morning, going east in afternoon, maybe 1 or 2 afternoons a week is it clogged up and slowmoving.
But truthfully, once I get to my piney woods acre up in NE Houston, it makes it all worth it. Don't mind a bit. If I had something to do in a small town, I would live that way for sure. But until I do, I make do with what I can.

you could look at negatively and say "that's an hour+ of my day spent sitting in a car" but I see it like 30+ minutes a day uninterrupted time to talk with my wife, then 30+ minutes of LOUD music that I want to hear! haha!