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Article Summary:

Extreme commuters are the fastest growing group of work commuters in the country, who rarely see their homes in the daylight. People who spend a month of their lives each year commuting at least an hour and a half to work and back each day are considered extreme commuters. This is compared with the US average of 50 minutes and according to the Census Bureau their numbers have jumped 95% since 1990 to 3.4 million workers. Experts say their numbers will continue to grow.

In 1990 24% of workers left their home counties on their way to the office, and since then 50% of all new workers are doing the same. Many extreme commuters are forced to drive the long distances because the affordable housing isn’t near the good paying jobs.

Interestingly, economists say this “commuting paradox” doesn’t pay off in terms of life satisfaction. A commuter who travels one hour each way would have to make 40% more in pay to be as satisfied with his life if he were a non-commuter.

http://hnsummary.com/2010/04/02/extreme-commuting/