AppleApe

As a frequent flyer, would you ever consider moving to a town with no airport
nearby? (nearest airport with scheduled commercial flights is 110 miles away
or 3 hours 10 minutes driving time, according to Google Maps)

I was lived in an 17th floor apartment in a 22-story building overlooking a
major airport where dozens of international flights(all widebodies) take off.
Yes, noisy, even after I had 4-pane windows installed. However, it was like
living in paradise for me.

Then I moved to a small city where the local airport is only served by just
one airline(AA). Still fine with me, since all 5 daily flights goes straight to
AA's big hub airport and I had access to almost anywhere in the world.

Now I'm seriously considering moving to a city(population around 110,000)
and the *only* thing holding me back is that the city has no airport at all.
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is 3 hours 10 minutes away. (in
reality, 2 hours and 30 minutes if I keep it at 70mph(5mph above speed
limit). Or is that a stupid idea?

BearX220

I do not want to live at the end of the runway but I would never consider moving someplace so far removed from good commercial air connections. They're essential to my work, my leisure plans, and to staying in touch with family.

gobluetwo

I'm a consultant and had a colleague who moved to a small town where the nearest airport was about 90 minutes away without traffic or construction. Her frequent travel schedule demanded that she make the drive at least weekly (sometimes you end up with a meeting out of town on Monday and another on Thursday - what're you gonna do?) and it wore on her. After about 9 months doing that, she got a corporate job where she could be virtual with far less travel - maybe 4-5 times per year for work.

If you travel for work on a weekly or near-weekly basis, I'd say you're nuts. If it's for leisure, well, I guess that depends on what you consider frequent. I could probably handle once a month, although that's still a lot of driving time.

JerryFF

Just curious - what city of 110,000 has no airport within 3 hours? As the answer to your question, I would not do it.

MtlTourist

As a consultant, part of the job requirements is to live within 50 miles of a major airport. I'm very lucky that I live about 30 miles away AND my home airport is a major airline hub.

One thing that is painful for a lot of my fellow consultants is not living near a hub. They ALWAYS have to take at least 1 connecting flight! I'm very lucky that I rarely have to do that, and that my home airport has many nonstop destinations.

So for me, I wouldn't consider it.

j_the_p

+1 This seems odd

greenskin

I moved to a town that had 2 flights a day to hubs (1 to PDX, 1 to SFO). About a year ago, the airline pulled out, leaving me with a 90 minute drive to the next town when I fly. I travel 20-30 weeks of the year. I don't mind it, but I like windshield time. YMMV

IWontRegretThis

I am in a similar boat - lived 13 miles from DEN, now moved to about ~80 miles from PDX. Dont like the drive, but the new paycheck makes up for it.

acvitale

I used to live 15 minutes from the airport but I am now 3 hrs away with weekly or better flights. a little more planning required but, a much better quality of life for the.entire family

jrl767

it is all about your priorities ... but you need to be completely objective, and you need to realize that your priorities may evolve over time

onobond

I also used to live around 20 minutes away from a major airport. Moving meant 2h 20min to another major airport, but also in our case closer to hiking, fishing and more classical music events. House price half of the previous location for a larger house with larger garden. Everyday QoL for us all means more than the hours spent

Cloudship

How frequently do you need to go to your local airport? Do you fly in and out every week? Or do you do one set of a lot of flying but only start and end in your own airport once a month?

And how about the drive. 3 hours driving in Texas is a lot easier than 3 hours driving in New England. Will you have to deal with weather? Traffic? Are there other commuting options?

And, how will your new location affect your travel? Will you be living in a place where you will be happier at home and travel less? Or will you need to travel even more to get everything you are missing?

You said 110 miles/3 hours. Is that traffic or long twisting roads? Traffic might be avoidable.

emrdoc

What city are you considering?

3 hours to drive 110 miles?

Jeannietx

Unless that 110,000 pop town is a suburb of a city, no way.

I'm an hour or hour + half from two major airports, but I'm only 15 miles from the city.

Gotta have a city.

worldwidedreamer

My vote is Chico, CA. Any other takers?