I've lived in the D.C. area for about two and a half years now, and I'm still getting over my sticker shock at housing prices here, especially within the District borders. My parents are currently selling their midwestern home and the joke is that for what they're selling their nice family house for, I could maybe get something a quarter of the size. Maybe.
Of course, the further you get from D.C., the better the prices become, so if/when I do start looking for a family house, that's my plan.
One thing I love to do though, is look at real estate listings. I'm in love with a lot of the renovated rowhouses in D.C. They're gorgeous and frequently spectacularly located. And they cost a ridiculous amount of money. But it's fun to look. I don't actually go to the open houses like a lot of my friends, but I love to look online. It's especially fun to find ridiculously expensive and extravagant homes and imagine what it might be like to own a home like that.
Guess I should start buying lottery tickets, huh.
I can't say that it makes me want to move anytime soon. The more I look at these homes, the more I realize that renting is a pretty great thing for me right now. The price is right and I don't have to worry about unexpected maintenance requests. And I can continue to save and maybe someday buy a teensy version of my dream house.
Hey, the teensy version will be easier to clean, right?