Should I buy a cheaper home further away or a more expensive home closer to my job and other jobs?

This is an age-old question but I'll give some numbers for comparison. The home that is 50 miles from my current job and many other work opportunities (or an hour and 15 minutes each way) is 30% cheaper and brand new than the homes that are resale and within 30 to 40 minutes of my current job and other similar jobs.

The new home (theoretically) would require less maintenance, have cheaper insurance, and I could pay it off or down much faster than the resale home that is closer to my current job.

The long commute sucks really bad, and yes I know in the short term my car will be taking a beating and need more maintenance but a more affordable home or a paid off home really opens up one's finances and gives one a lot of financial freedom.

Thoughts?