If you're in a major city it just isn't feasible to purchase a home within walking distance of your business. In the Seattle area, for example, house prices would be easily over a million for anything nearby
A lot of people don't want it that much, and that's fine - that's why not everybody does live within walking distance of their employer. But if you want something enough, there are paths you can take that open up the possibility, you just need to be prepared to sacrifice in other areas.
Obviously some people thrive in that situation. But sounds naive to not realize how few people can or want to take that gamble.
And being flexible with your lifestyle and assumptions so that you can get what you really want in life is exactly what is being discussed here.