[toss1]

True, and if you really want to examine the history, go back to farming, where there was a zero commute -- you woke up and walked over to the barn to start caring for the animals, then breakfast, and walk around the barn to tend the fields.

For craftsmen and merchants, seems they typically lived in the same building as their shop.

I didn't see anyone complaining about that as somehow degrading the human experience.

Seems like no big deal, just what is the most practical living/working arrangement in a given situation.