How far would you guys live from your school?

[FCMike11]

Pricing for homes in the city I'm moving to is incredibly more expensive the closer I get to my school. With my kids and an animal it is important to get a little more home and a backyard.

I plan to spend a lot of time in the library, but will probably go home for dinner/lunches with kids.

I dont know the answer to this - at what point does your commute become cumbersome to studying? My life has always mostly revolved around work, and I am so lucky to only live < 1 mile.

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[sanix95]

I plan on my commute being 20 minutes by bike or 15 max by car. I figured I would be saving money on gas, and the convenience of being closer to school is worth it.

 

[Strider_91]

I'm commuting about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic but my school is in a low income area I have no desire to live and I get to live at home for free..so cant beat that. Classes are mostly optional and pod casted anyway and I had a similar commute to undergrad. I enjoy getting the time to clear my head, make phone calls, and listen to pod casts.

 

[mimelim]

I value my time more than anything, so I tend to live as close as is feasibly possible. Medical school was ~2 miles, residency is 1.5 miles. Then again, married, no kids, so isn't too bad pricing wise.

 

[sinombre]

The first two years it didn't matter a whole lot because all of our lectures were podcasted, and I only had to be on campus maybe 2-3 times a week for required activities which lasted maybe 3 or 4 hours. The third year it mattered a lot more. Fourth year it completely depends. I lived a few miles from campus and from the main teaching hospital for the first 3 years, but moved 70 miles away during 4th year after getting married. I commuted 1.5-2 hours each way during all of 4th year (I'm still a 4th year), except for two away rotations where I stayed in an airbnb (in different states).

In short, it is possible to live "far away." Especially because you can listen to lectures/relevant podcasts while you drive.

 

[TheGreatDekuTree]

I have to be on campus starting at 8am 5 days a week, and my commute is 30-40 minutes. Totally doable, keeps me organized, and getting away from the med school atmosphere at the end of the day is a big bonus, just imo. Don't let a commute scare you too much.


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[Strider_91]

I have to be on campus starting at 8am 5 days a week, and my commute is 30-40 minutes. Totally doable, keeps me organized, and getting away from the med school atmosphere at the end of the day is a big bonus, just imo. Don't let a commute scare you too
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[aalamruad]

Studies show that commuting is the #1 predictor of unhappiness, keep that in mind. Might not seem that bad at first, but spending 10% of every day just sitting in a car really adds up in a horrible way over time.

 

[psychhopefull2016]

I take a 20 minute bus ride every day and it doesn't even phase me. An apartment close to school the quality of mine would be $1600 a month. Mine is $1050 and allows my 2 cats and a dog.

 

[UGA Non Trad]

For the past two years my commute has been about an hour to campus each way. At first it seemed to take forever, but I hardly even notice the drive anymore. I find ways to be productive during that time and it doesn't seem to have affected my pre-clinical grades.

FWIW, there's someone in my class that commutes an hour and 40 minutes each way, while maintaining a "full time job" and a family. Do what works best for you.

 

[libertyyne]

For the past two years my commute has been about an hour to campus each way. At first it seemed to take forever, but I hardly even notice the drive anymore. I find ways to be productive during that time and it doesn't seem to have affected my pre-clinical grades.

FWIW, there's someone in my class that commutes an hour and 40 minutes each way, while maintaining a "full time job" and a family. Do what works best for you.

What full time job is this ? Is the person counting driving back and fourth to medical school as full time employment?

 

[UGA Non Trad]

What full time job is this ? Is the person counting driving back and fourth to medical school full time employment?

Idk the specifics but it is something to do with IT and/or server/webpage upkeep. So he can basically work from where ever he has a laptop. I believe he started this company that his partner now runs.

 

[Astra]

seconding what @walloobi said. I would also keep in mind the type of commute you will have. Is it heavy traffic that barely moves and makes you wanna pull your hair out? Or is it traffic free cruising?

Also, what types of price differences are you looking at?

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

At my last job I took the train for 30-40 minutes, and now in med school I walk ~5 minutes. It is such a huge difference, I recommend living as close as possible. Being able to go home and take a nap or something is great.

 

[FCMike11]

seconding what @walloobi said. I would also keep in mind the type of commute you will have. Is it heavy traffic that barely moves and makes you wanna pull your hair out? Or is it traffic free cruising?

Also, what types of price differences are you looking at?

Housing wise, you are looking at small (1100 sq. feet), 2 or 3 bedroom for ~1500 month. About 15-25 miles away from the campus there are homes with 600+ more sq. feet, larger back yards for ~1200-1400. The city has relatively heavy traffic at peak times (population of 2.5 million) so 15-25 miles might stretch 25-40 minutes.



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[Astra]

Housing wise, you are looking at small (1100 sq. feet), 2 or 3 bedroom for ~1500 month. About 15-25 miles away from the campus there are homes with 600+ more sq. feet, larger back yards for ~1200-1400. The city has relatively heavy traffic at peak times (population of 2.5 million) so 15-25 miles might stretch 25-40 minutes.



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I would live closest to the campus.

 

[Hakuna Matata]

Housing wise, you are looking at small (1100 sq. feet), 2 or 3 bedroom for ~1500 month. About 15-25 miles away from the campus there are homes with 600+ more sq. feet, larger back yards for ~1200-1400. The city has relatively heavy traffic at peak times (population of 2.5 million) so 15-25 miles might stretch 25-40 minutes.



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Absolutely worth the drive. You have pets and kids, you'll want that extra space. I'm in a similar situation and chose the 30-ish minute drive and don't regret it for a second. It gives you some time to de-stress after a long day of studying or listen to podcasts in the car. You can make good use of that time.


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[akinetopsia]

I think it also matters if you're driving or if you can rely on public transportation. At least you can study a bit if you want on bus/train rides. Not so much when you're driving, other than listening to lecture audio, podcasts, or Goljan, for example.

 

[RogueBanana]

Not having to worry about your car is the best IMO.

In undergrad I got a house with some fraternity brothers at the top of campus, literally a 5 minute walk to the center of campus. Pair that with a nice day, some good music, and a pennyboard to skate to class on, and you've got yourself the most stress-free commute ever.

 

[MusicJunkie]

.

 

[marstonne]

I commute 1 hour each way to my rotation site as a third year, and lived about 10 min from school during the first two years. I would suggest you make the best decision for you and your family. I commute because my wife is in school as well in a city about 90 min from my rotation site. We made the decision to bite the bullet and have a lousy commute for a year in return for being able to live together (I will be in the same city as her for fourth year). We live about halfway in between the two cities (my drive is longer but traffic her way is very unpredictable and can be severe).

It is tough but doable. My life bacially revolves around school and sleep and I do spend quite a few nights in our call rooms if I get done too late to make the drive home worth it. Some rotations have been trying (surgery, OB, medicine). But despite this my clerkship grades have been excellent overall. It's truly what you make of it. I am very thankful to be in the situation I'm in. Being able to wake up next to my wife every day is wonderful, and makes it very worth it. BUT, had I the choice I would be closer, even if it meant living in a shoe box. To echo what's been said above, don't let a commute scare you if it's what's best for you and your family. But at the same time, remember that there are only so many hours in the day, and if your commute takes a large chunk out of it you're going to have to make up time in other places. This is not always pleasant, but if it's what's best then go for it.

Hope that helps.

 

[Stagg737]

It really depends on what you're trying to get out of your place/the commute. OP stated he wants to be able to go home and spend lunch with his kids. In that case I'd say anything more than a 10 minute commute probably wouldn't be worth it unless you've got 2 hour lunches. I don't really see much of a point in spending lunch with your kids if that lunch is only 5-10 minutes, especially since that commute time you could be doing better things (like studying). I lived a 5 minutes drive from campus one year and would go home for our hour lunch period. I'd get a legit 30 minutes of actual lunch at home and it was nbd. A different year I lived ~30 minutes from campus and actually found myself to have a much more productive study year since I stayed on campus and when I came home, I was home.

Either way, I personally find anything more than a 30ish minute commute to not be worth it (especially during rush hour), and will probably looking to live 15-20 minutes away from work tops after med school. For @FCMike11 , if you're really set on eating lunch with your kids, live close to school, but I think living 30-40 minutes away and making your time at home quality time is just as valid of an option and obviously much more financially beneficial.

 

[FCMike11]

It really depends on what you're trying to get out of your place/the commute. OP stated he wants to be able to go home and spend lunch with his kids. In that case I'd say anything more than a 10 minute commute probably wouldn't be worth it unless you've got 2 hour lunches. I don't really see much of a point in spending lunch with your kids if that lunch is only 5-10 minutes, especially since that commute time you could be doing better things (like studying). I lived a 5 minutes drive from campus one year and would go home for our hour lunch period. I'd get a legit 30 minutes of actual lunch at home and it was nbd. A different year I lived ~30 minutes from campus and actually found myself to have a much more productive study year since I stayed on campus and when I came home, I was home.

Either way, I personally find anything more than a 30ish minute commute to not be worth it (especially during rush hour), and will probably looking to live 15-20 minutes away from work tops after med school. For @FCMike11 , if you're really set on eating lunch with your kids, live close to school, but I think living 30-40 minutes away and making your time at home quality time is just as valid of an option and obviously much more financially beneficial.

Hey man, good thoughts. Really the lunch thing was to save money (could always pack a lunch) since my kids will be in school. Dinner is huge, though. If I was close I could always use the library at night. But, if we got the size house we need there should be space to set my desk up.

Things are still pretty fluid as my wife hasn't narrowed down which job she will take (nurse). I think we will end up somehow splitting our distances somehow so commutes are equal.


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[ChrisMack390]

Personally id be annoyed by a commute >30 minutes, and would prefer more like 15.

 

[threesparrows]

I commuted 45 minutes each way 5 days per week to med school (for the first 2 years). It was worth it to me to have a big, pet-friendly apartment in a cooler part of town and closer to my non-med-school friends. But I'm also partnered and a homebody. Also think about how many class activities you'll want to attend—I skipped many events and extra tutoring sessions, etc., because I didn't want to stay on campus all day waiting for it to begin or commute 2x. If I were single, I would've wanted to live closer for social reasons. Lastly, when you say "pricing for homes" do you mean rental or to buy? I suggest renting for the 1st year at least, especially if you choose the commute—then if you hate it you can always move before 2nd year.