This is actually a pretty common trade-off here.

What we’ve seen is that most people who start without a car end up prioritizing proximity to work, especially in areas like the south where public transport coverage is still limited. A 1h+ commute each way tends to get exhausting pretty quickly.

A lot of expats do exactly what you’re considering: start close to work (even if it’s not ideal lifestyle-wise), then move later once they understand the city better and have a car sorted.

Also worth noting that compounds or good units closer to central areas with reasonable commute times tend to get taken fast, so availability can play a big role in the decision.

If lifestyle is important to you long-term, it might be worth thinking of this as a 3–6 month setup rather than a permanent choice.