Not always an option. In my case, moving closer would quadruple my taxes. Decent neighborhoods are 40 minutes away (average commute in my office is about 40 min).
There's also the question of working spouses and kids.
If it were for a boffo CEO position I'd consider moving but, to be just another seat warmer, not so much.
(disclaimer: I really like my job which is why I drive 2 hours each way. If I can work out moving closer that would be beneficial to all involved I would. I won't get within 30 minutes though - that I already know).
Quadruple?? If you're talking a state boundary, I think you're probably missing something. Some states have higher income tax, some have higher real estate tax (which you pay for indirectly via rent).
Quadruple your cost of living, I could believe.
EDIT: Additionally, somewhere around 80% of the taxes that you do pay go to the federal gov't -- so it'd be really, really hard for a change in state to quadruple your tax burden.
Hyberbole retracted after a little research. I was speaking of property taxes specifically. It's possible to quadruple my property taxes by moving to the same state in which I work. That would put me about an hour from my office and is the most expensive area in the state. Being within 30 min of my office would be 1.5 - 2 times more expensive property tax wise.
There's also the question of working spouses and kids.
If it were for a boffo CEO position I'd consider moving but, to be just another seat warmer, not so much.
(disclaimer: I really like my job which is why I drive 2 hours each way. If I can work out moving closer that would be beneficial to all involved I would. I won't get within 30 minutes though - that I already know).