THE COMMUTING OF EXURBAN HOME BUYERS

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Abstract
The commuting times of exurbanites are explored using data from a survey of recent home purchasers in the Portland, Oregon region. Despite the suburbanization of jobs, most exurbanites spend more time commuting than their suburban counterparts. Household dynamics strongly influence exurban travel times with working spouses shortening the commutes of primary earners and children shortening the trips of secondary earners. In exchange for longer trips to work, exurban households obtain more space, a rural environment, lower housing prices, and/or better places for raising their children. The diversity of exurban households is captured in four exurban household types—Economy-Minded, Family-Oriented, Affluent, and Long-Distance Commuters—each of which has different commuting and socioeconomic characteristics.