Long trip a turnoff for buyers

PROPERTY NEWS


A poll released by PRDnationwide shows 58 per cent of home owners would be willing to drive up to 30 minutes to and from work each day. Only 1 per cent of respondents would be willing to drive for more than one hour in one direction, while 18 per cent would only be willing to spend 10 minutes or less getting to work.

PRDnationwide managing director Jim Midgley said nearly a quarter of respondents (23 per cent) would be happy for it to take 30 to 60 minutes in one direction. PRDnationwide research director Aaron Maskrey said a half-hour drive or ride on public transport at the beginning and end of the day was becoming more acceptable. “That’s five hours a week or 260 hours a year spent getting to and from work,” he said. Almost one in four workers would be willing to travel up to two hours every day doing the daily commute.
“For most of them it is a lifestyle or affordability sacrifice they are will to make to live close to the beach or live in a cheaper suburb on a CBD salary,” he said. “As our capital cities struggle with a growing population, more home buyers will be facing longer trips to work as inner city land becomes overcrowded.”
Mr Maskrey said there are pay-offs for long trips – such as bigger blocks or cheaper housing. “Travel time has a social impact and home hunters should not underestimate the impact of not coming home until well after dark every day,” Mr Maskrey said.
Commuters who used public transport passed the time by working, listening to music, or studying.
“Most of the time it is bearable if they get to go home to their beach shack or country getaway or aren’t drowning in debt from high inner city mortgages.”