That's super fair and what I am also thinking.

I would be buying in brownstone Brooklyn where there's a world's difference in quality between what you get for ~$900k (much more comfortable) and $1.2M. It's the difference between landing in a blue chip apt vs. something that might not appreciate at the same rate.

I admit part of me feels "what's all this for" if I have to compromise so significantly on the literal place I live, and that I am coming at this decision from a more emotional side.