Perhaps I'm spoiled living in the deep south where reasonably priced housing (owning or renting) is abundant. But looking at what some of you guys are paying for housing in Cali and other left coast locales that are pricey...just how do you afford to live there?
I recognize that wages are higher in metropolitan areas, but are you making THAT much more? I make a decent living as a country lawyer and my wife works as well but I cannot imagine trying to purchase a home in SoCal.
So what gives? Are there reasonably priced homes but stuck in the boonies with multi-hour commutes? Did everybody profit by trading up in the boom? Did you all hit the lottery? Are you all TFB's?
By contrast, we're about to close on this house in a nice neighborhood....3400 sq ft, 4 BR, 3 1/2 baths, nicely landscaped for around $200K. We'll spend another $20K updating to our tatste. I know...location, location, location. But still....
