This depends on your desired alcohol levels and personal tastes. "Session meads" can be done more quickly if the proper method and steps are followed.
You can generally predict a longer fermentation and aging time for mead when the alcohol content is higher because it is much like a wine as compared to lower ABV beers. At the same time, higher gravity, higher ABV beers will also require a bit longer fermentation and aging. Once you go above 8-10% ABV, the storage and preservation of wines is superior and if you desire to age it in a cask or barrel, that option is available.
So ... how patient are you? I'm not that patient, so I tend to brew more ales than meads.