Even though diverse, I agree wih both of your viewpoints on retirement, BG and ER. Not everyone wants the same things in life or in retirement–so, of course, some people will need more or less during those years.
As far as comparing what people today are paying for their homes, vs. those who purchased homes here 40+ years ago–IMO, that’s a very difficult comparison to make–because no one chooses when they were born, and, consequently, younger people would never have been able to make those choices.
I have older relatives here, parents included, who purchased amazing ocean-view homes in La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma and many other places for $100K or so, and we got a great deal in RSF, (edit: and CV, etc.) but there’s no way I can make any comparisons with those who are purchasing homes now.
I guess my real point, with regard to retirement planning, was that, whatever your choices in retirement, the main thing is that you can take care of yourself, and family members, as necessary for the balance of your life–to the level to which you aspire.
