Anyone who lives far from their office has days when the thought of going to work just ruins the mood. This is very much true for Dhaka, where one of the major challenges is congestion. On those days, oh how we wish our office was closer to home. The thought of moving for a shorter commute seems like the right decision in every way. But is it really worth it? What are the pros and cons of living close to work?
Pros
Reduced Frustration & Stress
Some of the major problems of having to travel far for work is having to deal with seemingly endless traffic jams, a swarm of people, heat, and the ever-present tension of being late. All these factors create stress and frustration which takes quite a toll on your mental and physical wellbeing. However, by moving closer to your workplace, you can reduce these headaches quite a bit if not eliminate them altogether. No longer do you have to get up several hours early to get on the road just so you can reach office on time. You’ll feel more refreshed, energetic and achieve a healthier lifestyle.
More Free Time
If it won’t take you a few hours to reach your workplace, it’ll also take less time to get back home. This will save you a whole lot of time every day that can be put to better use. Anyone who has experienced this change can easily attest to how big saving two-three hours each day is. You’ll have more time to get ready in the morning, and more time to spend with your loved ones in the evening. Having free time is a precious gift that many can only dream of, one that can be a reality if you lived near your workplace.
Better Work-Life Balance
Speaking of… another reason that makes moving for a shorter commute worth it is better work-life balance. By moving closer to your workplace you’ll become free from having to spring out of the office gate as soon as workday is over. You also won’t have to sacrifice your family time trying to travel to and forth from the office. You’ll have plenty of time on your hand to make a proper adjustment and allocate needed focus. Furthermore, you also won’t have to sacrifice an entire day if there’s some emergency at home that needs your attention.
Cons
Disrupts Settled Life
While moving for a shorter commute may seem like a very good idea, it’s not always peaches and sunshine. There are a few drawbacks to this, one of them being the disruption of your settled life. When you live in a place for some time, you get used to it. You get used to the lifestyle, like bonds with your neighbor, and life falls into a steady groove. So moving from this comfy, settled situation will create disruptions in every aspect of your life. You’ll have to start everything anew from scratch if you want to reach the same level of familiarity again.
Not Continuously Repeatable
There are only a few times that you can uproot your life and move to a new place. The toll and hassle of moving to a brand new place, far from everything you know, is not sustainable. That is why you cannot do it over and over again, especially if you have children. The disruption of moving to a new place becomes amplified each time you decide to move to a new place with your family.
May Increase Living Cost
There’s no doubt that the cost of living in Dhaka is sharply on the rise. Among all factors, housing and rent are two major contributors to the growing cost of living. Rent varies from area to area, building to building. However, apartments near commercial areas where the majority of offices tends to be higher than in other areas. For example, apartments for rent in Banani usually have a higher rent than those in Khilgaon. While this isn’t always the case, it is better to expect an increase in living cost when moving near your workplace.
The decision to move is always a very important decision and cannot be taken lightly. You need to compare the pros and cons of living close to work with a cool and composed mind. So whenever you are thinking of moving for a shorter commute, take the pros and cons of living close to work into consideration and then decide.
