If you can find a house for that price that you would like to live in for 10 to 20 years, by all means, buy it. If you are unfamiliar with the area, check it out at multiple times during the day and week to see if you like it. Otherwise you rent until you can find someplace you can afford. It’s all about what you prefer and are comfortable with. Just don’t get in over your head or buy a place you won’t be happy living in just because you wanted to buy something rather than rent.