Of your available options, I would definitely go with the shared housing. That’s a great deal for your area and for your income. You could actually save/invest money.

And to the people pushing on you because you rent, oh my God what the heck? I hate housing as an investment, we bought a house but it’s so expensive to maintain and the taxes and insurance, having somewhere to live for $600 a month seems like a great deal, take it.

I would hate the hour long commute, personally. Very sensitive to commute time. But if you are already doing it and don’t mind, that’s a separate consideration.