As a California native transplanted to NYC, I can say that an hour is not a big drive for a lot of people to go see you. I'd say 30-45 minutes is average, an hour isn't much more. Moreover, most of your coworkers are probably ALSO driving about as much to get to work, so being closer to work may not be the great social advantage you believe it is. And if you love your home and you own it and its yours, well, that counts for a lot.

I would say your best bet is just find ways to make the commute more bearable. Books on tape? Consider carpooling--then you have people to chat with and you're not making Al Gore cry with your carbon footprint. Any chance of a commuter rail?