How is commuting through time zones different than doing a 3 or 4 day trip through time zones? I commute from Mountain to Eastern time zone. If possible I stay on Mountain in terms of dinner and sleep, but that's not always possible. I do sleep 8 hours every night, even if it means going to bed at 1900. Red eyes are the exception, but I actually think I have an advantage over guys living in the east coast on that. To me it's just staying up really late, we get done at 4:00 Mountain 6:00 Eastern.

Seems like you've already made up your mind on this topic and are looking for reassurance or something. Yes, if you can live in base it's better, no doubt. It'd be nice, but doesn't work for everyone. My kids moved a lot and now I'm giving them a straight run through Middle and High School in an area they love, near extended family. After that, we might very well move, or more likely will summer on a nice lake somewhere and winter in the Colorado mountains, best of both worlds. It's great to have choices!

Also, I'm not over 50 yet.