"We were constantly looking for a place that was affordable but within commuting distance, " she said.

WSJ: New York Area Housing Recovery: Signs the Slump May Be Over

All three are close to a larger city and are within commuting distance of a university or major research institution.

FORBES: Real Estate

Applicants must have tried to find a place to rent within a "reasonable commuting distance" to their old neighborhoods and place of work.

WSJ: FEMA to Move Sandy Victims to Apartments

And developers have simply run out of new places to build that are within a reasonable commuting distance of Silicon Valley or San Francisco.

FORBES: Why The Bay Area Should Have 11 Million Residents Today

Despite all the complaints, average commuting time remained stable through the 1990s, but the average distance travelled grew.

ECONOMIST: Road-pricing in California

The new site is in walking distance to almost nothing, a nice spot if you happen to be commuting from the East Bay, but otherwise a fairly isolated location in terms of services and transportation options.

FORBES: Facebook Staffers: Sentenced To Sun Quentin?