I don’t think there’s anything wrong with placing a high value on not having a car. Personal preference can include not wanting a driving commute and not wanting to be a part of car culture.

Hey, people make painful trade offs in their lives all the time. It sounds like you're not considering moving closer to this job. Why not? I'm just sharing the perspective that I, personally, would not consider a job change that required me to get a car. Apart from just hating to drive and feeling my life drain away any time I am spending time looking for parking, owning a car can add significantly to your financial risk. What if my car is impounded? What if someone steals my catalytic converter or slashes my tires? Do I have the funds to fill that gap on hand?