I love commuting on SPDs, except trips that also involve long walks on concrete or asphalt. My typical commute only involves a handful of steps on pavement, the rest of the day is spent on linoleum and carpet.

Sometimes on rainy days it's a tough call for me, since the covered bike parking requires I walk about a quarter mile on concrete, where as the uncovered bike parking is only about 6 strides on concrete. I guess that's why they make rain bikes, though

I also found the toe clips to clipless transition pretty easy. I already angled my heel out when removing foot from toe clips, so popping out of SPDs was no problemo. Took a while to get good at clicking in but I'd guess it was easier than way back in the day when I had to learn how to get a foot into toe clip.