Kids will surprise you. I assume the local school is cheaper also and that can be a win. Our daughter was under 2 hours away. It was great. She could bring friends that have never been to Chicago and take them all around downtown etc and we could go to her school for a Sundays farmers market, lunch and back home the same day. She was far enough that she felt she was further away if that makes sense,but close enough she could come home for whatever. Made the whole changing from winter to spring /summer clothes a breeze. Lol.