I know drivers who would rather commute for an hour to work for an intercity TOC with nice trains than travel 10 minutes to their local depot to do 'metro work' on shabbier trains.
That's what I do, like most at my depot. It also tends to make for a more positive gang of drivers, since people have largely chosen to be there for the work or traction and as others have said rarely leave. Based on my previous experience, theres also a lot of negativity at metro depots because the numerous people who've applied for intercity work at other TOC's and haven't got it become negative about it and work where they are "just for the T&C's it's just a job" etc.
Personally I like the work I do (I didn't particularly dislike suburban work but intercity is way more challenging and enjoyable), I get paid more, I drive cleaner, faster trains, I have a load of crew on board who deal with the passengers and doors, and I work with men who are in the main proud of what they do certainly compared to lots of the local drivers that I see at the booking on point.
Some would call me naive but I do get more out of working somewhere like that than somewhere like on the buses which was how my previous depot felt. Oh and in response to an earlier point from A-Driver, I've had taxis home from way up north (to south Essex) in times of disruption and always been looked after.