I can relate to whatever TG said. I too can’t share the worry about job safety and the economy. My mortgage payment is below the apartment rent. If I lost my current job, I can still find ways to pay my living costs. If I keep my job, I can easily pay off the house in a few years, if I really want (but the mortgage rate is really to low now for me to choose that).

I have a professional job, if I am tired because of commute, then I just ask to work from home for that day. Sleep late or take a nap at noon. We have fiber at home, it doesn’t matter where I work. I am actually more productive at home than at work. My employer knows that. So I only really have to come to office for certain meetings. And I am on travel quite often, and it doesn’t matter whether I leave in TV or Carlsbad, the plane ride takes the same amount of time.

If the house price is only $100-200K higher (for similar house) in Carlsbad, then I might be living in Carlsbad right now. But it is 3 times higher. So I will be living in TV waiting for the rest of San Diego adjusting to a more reasonable price. It is better than buying a crappy house in Carlsbad for me.