I'd prefer to try and meet in the middle here a bit. In my opinion, the cost of home ownership has gone awry in some places.. and I'd prefer it if people looked a little harder at potential options. Like many people, I can't come even close to being able to afford to live where my parents used to rent despite having a good job. Prices ran away in a competitive race that most people lose. After years of saving every penny, I now have no problem affording tv's, videogames, appliances, occasional travel, whatever.. but housing prices are a formidable obstacle and failing to come anywhere close to what I grew up with (and not even being able to raise a family within driving distance of such places) is painful.