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Incoming V20 associate in the NY office. I have heard that living close to work is a good thing.

But, for most, this means living close to Times Square and a proportionately higher rent. The difference can be, for the same or similar apartment, $12,000 or more living in Manhattan v. LIC or New Jersey (shudder). I am debating between a 10-20 minute commute by walking or subway v. a solid 30 minute commute via subway.

So, if an associate, did you find it helpful living close to work? Do you wish you had lived closer to work? Do your peers who live closer to work seem less burnt out? Is it hard(er) to separate work from home life?

For partners, counsel, and seniors, do you care where junior associates live? Is there any value in living closer to work? Would you mind if a junior associate left work around dinner time for an hour and showed up again at the office for another 3 hours after a solid 10 in the office?

Please note whether COVID has changed your thoughts beyond the obvious of UPL and NJ or not needing as much facetime. Or ignore COVID considerations altogether.

Pre-COVID, I LOVED living close to work. I got to sleep a lot more and save time in general since I barely had a commute (10 min subway or 20 min walk). I could get in the office quickly when there was a fire drill and left the office earlier than I would have if I lived farther away because I knew I could always return if needed.

I found an affordable but very nice apartment in midtown that's slightly more expensive than LIC but I never regretted my decision and would continue to pay the premium to live close by.

I'm a 4th year associate right now so maybe not the "senior" you're looking for answers from, but I always appreciated the junior associates who had less of a commute. Made working with them easier.

That said, given COVID, I'd go with the cheaper, farther away commute for the next year. I don't see us returning to the office anytime soon. You can always move closer after that and the difference of 20 minutes you're talking about is not major.