Simple, look to the midwest. CNN.com and the like always have some kinda 10 best cities to live in that relates to a real cost of living. Indianapolis, Denver, St. Louis, Charlotte, are often on these lists. Denver is kinda introuble/postbubbly right now, but Charlotte is always the NAR poster child that prices are still ok and the all clear should be sounded.
If moving to the flatlands isnt acceptable, Rent. With prices falling and most economists that are willing to speak the truth saying 3-6years of falling or stagnant prices, you are getting ahead by Renting. Try out a different neighborhood, better schools for the kids, or a bigger house than you could afford to buy.
I think some people here and even more so in our society blame renting with all their problems and describe bliss as homeownership. “my walls are green, and damnit it cost me $100000, but I dont have to look at plain white walls!” or my personal favorite “Renting sucks because my wife wants to have dinner parties and entertain, but we just cant buy right now.” HUH?!?! If you cant RENT a house big enough to entertain in, you cant buy one. And if your friends really care that you rent and they own, just explain to them that you will tell them all about it when you get back from Hawaii with all the $$ you arnt paying in morgage and then dont ever call them again. They arnt friends.
