Rob Carrick, personal finance columnist in the Globe and Mail says:

In dollar terms, a daily commute to Toronto from Hamilton could add about $3,500 annually to a household budget, per person. If time is money in your life, that's also a factor. You often see cities like Hamilton or Aurora described as an hour's drive from Toronto. Sure, at 3 a.m. In rush hour, double that. If there's an accident or snowstorm, add more time.

A thought for young home buyers driven to the suburbs by high urban house prices: Check out the cost of commuting, and the lifestyle. Research how much a monthly pass for public transportation costs, or see how much it will cost to use your own vehicle. Then, try making the drive one morning or afternoon. See how long that one-hour drive actually takes.

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