[quote=Ren]
$3/gallon:
10 miles each/day $40 total
90 miles each/day $360 total

$5/gallon:
10 miles each/day $65 total
90 miles each/day $600 total

At $5/gallon, that’s $500+ more than the SD commuter, plus the car depreciation which is negligible. Meanwhile we’re saving $1,500+/month over renting an equivalent place in SD, plus $200 in child care. We just couldn’t get past that math – the gas expense isn’t even an issue. It’s the time away from family that’s the hard choice.

If your income is substantial enough that $1,000-1,500 in savings every month isn’t a big deal, or the drive is unacceptable, then SD is a better choice for you.[/quote]

Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.