Why Commute Time Beats Distance (and How to Estimate It)
A time‑based way to compare addresses, not suburb averages
When people say an address is “close,” they usually mean distance. But your day is shaped by time, not kilometres. The same distance can mean very different travel times depending on the mode, network, and transfer points.
A simple rule: decide your time window first, then compare addresses against that window. If you can tolerate 35 minutes by train but only 25 by bus, that is a real constraint you can apply consistently.
Use the official Journey Planner to compare modes and times, and treat the result as your baseline. It is a far more practical input than a generic “close to the city” claim.
If you want to anchor your comparison, start with a time window and then layer in everything else.