Why do you live there?

Once upon a time, it was common for workers to commute from great distances to get to work: people in New Jersey, New England and even eastern Pennsylvania take various means of transportation to get to their office in New York; Washington D.C. receives workers from all across Maryland, Northern Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.

I have spent years commuting 40-50 miles one way to get to the office. I once worked with a merchandising vendor who commuted nearly 75 miles every day from her home in Luray, Virginia, to the D.C. region. My father worked with a gentleman who roomed in a D.C. area house with several other professionals and, on the weekends, would drive to his home in Kentucky.

Why do you live there?

…asked the executive during the interview, finally understanding that I just drove 30 miles to meet with her.

Why do you live there?

Because the revelation from the pandemic was that telework works, and was on the verge of revolutionizing how we work and conduct business in the days and years to come.

Why do you live there?

Because I have always done so for my career. Because the state of the current job market, cost of living and regular inflation is a total reversal to what our parents and grandparents experienced in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Because that has been the only way to get close to the career I desire while making sure my family still has food, health insurance and a roof over our heads.

Why do you live there?

Because the housing market was terrible when I was employed, was fantastic when I was unemployed, and is back to terrible now that I am employed again. Because it’s what we can afford currently.

Why do you live there?

If this question is asked during an interview, where you live may be a red flag. Based on them asking, and especially if telework is not an option, it’s likely that they are not willing to hire another commuter and cannot–or will not–offer the required compensation to move you closer to the office, either.