Well, you and I clearly know different people. The most common reason I have been given for a long commute to work is that they don't want to live near their job. I am well aware that in two income families and other situations, sometimes compromises are necessary. But I know people currently and have known people in the past who really were free to choose and freely chose a long commute, not because they had to for any of the reasons you cite. And I have also known people who complained bitterly about the cost of gas and other burdens of living with a long commute who blew off (as in dismissed without a real reason) any and all suggestions for trying to improve the situation. After a while, I stop being sympathetic.