[TeMPOraL]

> in Poland people constantly complain about overregulation of construction

In Poland people constantly complain about overregulation of pretty much everything (I'd say complaining itself is our national sport, but that's another topic) - but that's probably typical of humans. It's easy to complain about overregulation when the government tells you you can't do whatever you want and dump externalities on everyone around you.

But I agree with your conclusion. We have quite lax construction laws and people still commute. I don't really see how the two are actually related in practice. Majority of people doesn't get to pick and choose jobs. You can spend months looking for a good opening, and if you don't like one because it's on the other side of the city, then no worries, there are thousands of people who will happily take your place.

[ajuc]

IMHO making it easier, cheaper, and less risky to rent flats is the low-hanging fruit.

You can't predict where you will work in 10 years, why expect to live in the same house for 10 years? Of course - not wanting to move kids to a different school is valid reason, but still kids change school every few years. Many people could reduce commute with no bad side-effects, if not for the problems with renting flats.

People are very careful about renting flats to families with kids, because it's very hard to expel them if they stop paying right now.