Not all commutes are equal. I'm 30 and live in the 'burbs of NYC with my parents. I spend 1:15 in each direction, but it's all public transportation. I have 30 minutes on a commuter train where I can sit and do work. My commute when I lived in the city was ~30 minutes each direction without the ability to do work. So in all actuality, I've really only lost 15 minutes in each direction while saving $1800+ per month. The math works out in my head.
Yeah, it's the Bay Area. East Bay to SF. There are things other than roommates I could compromise on in order to live closer or go faster (standing on crowded, lurching public transit vehicles, sqft, building quality, neighborhood safety, savings %, entertainment and travel spend), but my current situation (90 minutes each way, but by pleasant means - bicycle and ferry) seems to be the least bad option for my tastes.
