no joke, commuting is some of the most soul crushing time you can spend on this planet. For those interested in slightly off kilter suggestion, get a bunch of people you like and buy a house together. Splitting a mortgage 5 ways for a multi-family is pretty affordable (at least compared to the rents these days) you can live in the city, pretty close to your job, walk or bike there, and honestly if you like the people, and have a lawyer work up a little agreement its not so bad.

Does this fix anything with the larger structural problems? No it doesn't. Might it get you a nice place to live close to your job...maybe?