LOL! Great to get some feedback BG! Nice to see you are still on form and sounds like you had a great trip. We’ve to’d and fro’d over this so many times, but I just wanted to hang some tangible meat on the core issue, which is that (comparative) value can still be had out there. All (most) Piggs know what caused the bubble and what prevented a full correction in prices. Those causes and preventions are not innate to and binding on all RE markets, despite the contagion that spread well beyond bubble prone markets.

I am a little surprised by one or two of your comments. Having spent several years searching for a home in CA, it could hardly give rise to the notion I never intended to buy here. Also, if you have never been to Europe that wouldn’t qualify you to comment on local services, which I can promise you are at least as are good as anywhere in the developed world. These kinds of comparisons are not very meaningful IMO.

The main thing is I feel very content that overall I’ve come out on top. That of course is subjective, but then isn’t that what it boils down to? But the maths is fun too. I get two beautiful homes in two very sort after places, for the price of one in a place that has not convinced me is twice as good. Put that in ya’ pipe and smoke it!