I guess you live in/around London. Thank you to share your experience. The commutes that my London teammates endure sound like soul-sucking hell.
Real question: If you could afford the same setup closer to city center (say, zone 2 or something) but a 15-minute bicycle from the office, would you do it? My point: What London needs is more housing (a sh-t ton of it), then it will become affordable housing. Real estate prices are so out of control in London... forcing most to live far outside the city, and endure a hellish commute.
Prices where we are are similar to zone 2 but much better access to green belt and major roads that get you out to the 'countryside'. That's why we decided to buy here and not go for central London.
If we were to live closer to our offices I would probably go in more, yes.
Real question: If you could afford the same setup closer to city center (say, zone 2 or something) but a 15-minute bicycle from the office, would you do it? My point: What London needs is more housing (a sh-t ton of it), then it will become affordable housing. Real estate prices are so out of control in London... forcing most to live far outside the city, and endure a hellish commute.