You can NEVER oversell how good it is to live in base, if that's an option. It's ALWAYS nice to be near family. Not just for you, but them as well. As mentioned the income/QOL/flexibilty that opens up into your monthly bid criteria is insane. If you're a line holder, being able to do high credit 3 day trips (if that's your thing) vs. so-so credit 4 day trips that may not be front-back end commutable is great. When you get senior, doing the 2 leg day trip 3 times a week almost makes this better than a 9-5 job. Versus being a senior commuter that's now able to hold the front-back end commutable 4 day with most likely has short overnights and has you going home feeling like you've been eaten by a wolf and sh1t over cliff EVERY week.

I've been commuting to 8 different domiciles in 13+ years. Almost all due to downgrade/displacement/base closure/furlough/company shutdown/having to start at the bottom again. My first 5 years I would have averaged a move about once every 9-10 months had I elected to live in base each time. I only moved for this job once, will never do it again.

But a couple real big picture things if you are going to commute;

Commuting isn't so bad. As long as you're not trying to do it on the weekends, weekdays, mornings, afternoons, evenings, over the holidays/spring break, etc.

Do it from day 1. Because once you get a taste of living in base and then try to commute, you will be MORE miserable.

ALL commutes are hard, ALL commutes suck. It's just the degree to which the suck is measured. I've done the transcon commute with the massive time zone change and always having to give up part/most of a day off and go in the night before with crashpad/hotel expenses. I've also done the single time zone change/2 hr flight commute with 30+ fights a day back and forth between 5 different airlines. Yeah, it STILL sucked. I've known guys that commuted from say BOS-NYE. Short flight, lots of service, STILL sucks. As does say LAS/PHX-LAX. Again, short flight, lots of service, STILL sucks.

Historically, east coast domiciles have gone junior. Meaning 1) Yiu can usually hold it right away and 2) Your seniority will go ip faster than other bases. If you are going to commute, staying in the same time zone with a north-south commute is less suck ridden. Also, if your company or one of their regional affiliates does some of/all of the flights is also less suck ridden for jumpseat priority purposes. Assuming you're not the ONLY guy from your company, etc etc etc. However, if it's ALL RJ service it could suck for chronic weight restriction purposes.

It also seems that if there is an LCC that serves where you commute to/from it can make commuting less suckey.

Try to keep a commute to 1 legger. If it it has to be a 2 legger, the charlie foxtrot factor goes up on an exponential scale.

That's just my experience and what I've learned as well as my friends/coworkers as well.All that's worth is exactly what you're paying for it.

Your mileage may vary, no purchase necessary, details inside.............