Short Commute to a City

A commute time of 45 minutes or less to work is the top priority in deciding where to live for 79% of Americans, according to a study by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America. A look at three suburban homes within walking distance of public transportation offering a relatively short commute to a major city.

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LOCATION/PRICE: South Orange, N.J. / $1,395,000

PROPERTY TAX: $27,244 annually

THE PROPERTY: 4,000 square feet, with 7 bedrooms, 4 baths and a half bath

DESCRIPTION: A 1920s Colonial Revival house features a glass-enclosed family room, five fireplaces and a rock garden.

NOTABLE: Framed by lawns and shade trees, it has views of New York City from the second- and third-floor bedrooms. Situated close to the town's quaint shops and restaurants and just four blocks away from the stop for New Jersey Transit's 34-minute train ride to Manhattan.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Piedmont, Calif. / $2,049,000

PROPERTY TAX: $22,000 annually

THE PROPERTY: 3,600 square feet, with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths

DESCRIPTION: Elegant Mediterranean-style house with views of San Francisco, arched windows, hardwood floors and a modern kitchen.

NOTABLE: Set in central Piedmont, known for its excellent school system, the house is a less-than-30-minute commute to San Francisco by car, a 10-minute drive to park at the nearest Bay Area Rapid Transit train station and just five-blocks from the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit bus stop.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Wilmette, Ill. / $2,699,000

PROPERTY TAX: $21,882 annually

THE PROPERTY: 5,500 square feet, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2 half baths

DESCRIPTION: A 1926 Normandy brick manor house, extensively renovated, features an octagonal solarium and a butler's pantry.

NOTABLE: Features arched doorways, hardwood floors, wall sconces, high ceilings and a crystal chandelier. A breakfast room includes a cove ceiling and a built-in china cabinet. Located six blocks from the nearest Metra station for 31-minute commute to downtown Chicago.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Chestnut Hill, Mass. / $2,595,000

PROPERTY TAX: $17,858 annually

THE PROPERTY: 4,670 square feet, with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, and 3 half-baths

DESCRIPTION: Renovated 1931 English Country brick house with a master suite that has a cathedral ceiling and a separate sitting room. A study has built-in bookcases.

NOTABLE: On the first floor, new spaces were created to include a fifth bedroom, a full bath and a media room with surround sound. Located in a neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a 5- to 10-minute walk, or four blocks, to the Chestnut Hill stop on Boston's "T," the city's subway system, for a less-than-15-minute ride.

Sources: burgdorff.com; grubbco.com; coldwellbanker.com

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