Count The Advantages of Living Near Your Place of Work

Cities today, offer more opportunities for employment and attract more and more job seekers to them causing an increasing burden on the city’s resources. As the available infrastructure is unable to cater to the onslaught of eager job-seekers, the city expands its boundaries and the suburbs grow to accommodate the influx. It can be argued that the suburbs have their own attraction, with lower realty prices, lesser congestion levels, and better air quality. So these suburbs house a large number of people who work in the city but stay at a distance in the suburbs. However, as the jobs are concentrated in the city, the residents of these suburban residential areas end up having to undergo longer commuting time, giving rise to a host of problems. Most employees end up spending unnecessary time commuting between their residences and their work-places. They may arrive late at work and home, on days, which in turn has a bearing on their career advancement and family life. They are usually more stressed and have poorer physical health, and find lesser time to spend with family and for leisure. Soon, the advantages of having bought a house at a lower investment, begins to diminish.

The Solution
Experts are of the opinion that living closer to places of work, offers more advantages than is general accepted. Leena Bajaj of Umang Homes says, “You can avoid delays, overcrowded public transport, traffic jams and the resultant stress”. So relocating would result in certain benefits which are discussed below.

Saves on Commuting Time: The most significant advantage would be, the time saved in travelling. In most Tier I cities, the commuting time could work out to be two hours of travelling time one way, thereby saving a total of four hours daily.

Saves on Money: A shorter travelling distance would help reduce expenses, even if travel is undertake by private or public transport. If the place of residence is within walking distance, the physical activity it involves would be beneficial and would save money too. The time saved could be used in better pursuits.

Reduces on Stress: The time spent in daily traffic-jams has a more harmful and direct consequence of an increase of stress. A shorter commute would avoid the buildup of stress and ensure better health.

Increases Productivity: A stress free worker can deliver better productivity at the job, bringing increased career benefits.


The Health Benefits

More Time for Healthy Pursuits: The more time saved allows more time for involving in healthy pursuits. Joining a gym, going for a long walk or playing a game of tennis, has immense health benefits.

The Happiness Factor: The benefits of being more relaxed, fitter and less stressed leads to contentment and happiness. These benefits cannot be overemphasized and increase the quality of life.

Better Family Relationships and Commitment: The saved time allows a greater involvement with the family with increased commitment to family relationships. This results in increased happiness, making for a better quality of life.

Greater Flexibility: The extra time at disposal allows better planning of activities and allows more flexibility in scheduling the various activities that take up the time of the day. There is no need to wake up early. Shorter commuting distances reduces the response time to emergencies at home. Food habits of people corresponding improve as there is more time to plan and cook meals.

Therefore, living near the work-place have huge advantages and could be pivotal in living a better life than before. It helps establish a better work-life equilibrium and ensure a happier life.