It used to be that location, location, location were the three most important words when searching for the right place to put down roots and call home. In today’s vastly changing economic and domestic climate those three words have transformed into location, commute, and information.

For many San Mateo County residents, finding the perfect home, condo, or apartment may mean a further commute to the geographic location of their business or occupation. Some choose to live in the fast paced and vibrant atmosphere of a large metropolitan city, while others prefer the calm and serene feel of a bedroom community.  A person living in the city of Mountain View and having a home in any of the beautiful Mountain View apartments may commute on a daily basis into downtown San Jose.  Another person may find the condo or home of their dreams in Palo Alto, but run a prosperous business in San Francisco.  Can we balance the personal vs. professional geographic conflict and have it all?  The simple answer is yes and the secret lies in the choice and comfort of the commute.

Whether your mode of transportation is Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit), bus, rail, ferry, shuttle, or car, there is an abundance of information available online to chart your course.  Schedules, fares, routes, times, prices, and other pertinent information can all be found with a few simple clicks of the mouse. Sites such as www.caltrain.com (California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and the Santa Clara Valley); http://www.bart.gov (Bay Area Rapid Transit);. http://www.samtrans.com (San Mateo County Transit District), www.sfmta.com (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) all provide extensive information needed to plan any commute.

San Mateo County’s, http://tripplanner.transit.511.org, is a site rich with commuter information!  511 is a free phone and Web service that consolidates Bay Area transportation information into a one-stop resource. 511 provides up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, incidents and driving times, schedule, route and fare information for the Bay Area’s public transportation services.  Car and vanpool referrals and bicycling information is also provided.  Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this resource is a must for any busy commuter in or around San Mateo County!  Using public transportation and leaving the driving to someone else allows the commuter time to read, nap, review for or unwind from a work day, or simply relax.

Staying calm, cool, and collected is a key factor in driving cautiously, defensively, and courteously.  By being informed, allowing for plenty of driving time, staying composed, and following a few basic suggestions of commuting, the independent driver can greatly diminish stress in their commute. There are many ways to enhance time spent in our vehicles. When stuck in traffic, listen to a podcast or book on tape or CD. There are thousands of creative and personal interest podcasts available that can help make a commute an enjoyable rather than frustrating experience.  Looking for new routes or points of interest you didn’t know existed?  A GPS (Global Positioning System) is a great way to explore without getting lost. We have the technology, the resources, and the means to make our commutes pleasant. Life’s too short, let’s enjoy the ride!