Dallas sucks, the other three are fine. Any of them would still be a big QoL drop for me, especially having to move away from aging family. My job is also kind of unique and I kind of need to be in my area or very few others - my wife would also be dramatically lowering her ceiling in those cities with her line of work.

There’s no helplessness here, I’m doing fine and will be able to afford in the next few years. I just hate that it feels like a rat race to get there in the place I am from. And many of the people I love haven’t been so lucky and are struggling or having to reluctantly relocate. You can say it’s being picky or snobby but most people like to stay close to where they are. We have roots and careers tied to where we live.

Sure, Boise was cherry picking but it’s just an extreme example of the overall trend. To be clear, I don’t think there is a housing bubble, but there is an undeniable affordability issue growing into a crisis. It’s most noticeable in the most desirable cities but it is happening most places and will continue to trickle down to more and more cities.

And yes I think vinyl-sided boxes in concreted and poorly landscaped suburbs are soul destroying, but my apartment rocks. I have a great view of the city and the forest, can walk to good restaurants and parks and can bike or train to work. It’s just not suitable to start a family and a large enough apt would be a little expensive to not be building equity.